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Thames River Cruise
© Reading UK/Great West Way
Palmer Park community pool
Thames River Cruise
© Reading UK/Great West Way
Palmer Park community pool

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

Reading is a great place to visit with the family, with plenty of child-friendly activities and attractions to suit everyone, and every budget. From farmyard visits and woodland strolls, to activities for the more adventurous cohorts, here’s some of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Reading to get you started. For families on a budget, take a look at our top 10 free attractions, most of which are suitable for all ages.

Watch a live show at Reading Hexagon
Reading’s theatre and arts venue, Reading Hexagon, sits on Queen's Walk in the centre of town. With a jam-packed events timetable running year-round, The Hexagon hosts some great family shows, from theatre productions and child-friendly plays to ballet productions and the Pantomime at Christmas. And with its handy town-...Read More

Embrace your wild side at Lagoona Park
Open from May-September, the Aqua Park at Lagoona Park is open to the whole family. But it's not just the watter obstacle course, you can try paddleboards, water bikes, and pedalos too.

Two new pools
Two new swimming pools have opened in Reading in the last 18 months. A brand new Rivermead Swimming Pool opened in summer 2024 with a 25m 8-lane main pool and a teaching and diving pool with 5 metre dive tower; 3 metre springboard and two 1 metre spring dives. In 2023, Palmer Park swimming pool opened with six lanes wide with family sessions, as well as a soft play area and cafe. You'll find it in Palmer Park in East Reading. You can also enjoy the paddling pool in Christchurch Meadows.

Channel your inner detective at Reading’s Escape Rooms
Reading is home to four top-rated Escape Room venues offering PG rated games and welcome younger players (if they’re accompanied with an adult, of course). Recommended ages are 8+ (Escape Hunt) and 12+ (Escape Reading), so if puzzle-solving sounds like your idea of family fun, there’s a challenge just waiting to be accepted!

Climb the walls (literally)
Reading has two indoor climbing centres for young and old who like hanging around at heights or bouldering. Or you can bounce at Red Kangaroo.

Go on an adventure at Wellington Country Park
Wellington Country Park offers an open air, fun-filled venue for children to explore. From a miniature railway and animal farm, to indoor soft play and even a giant bouncing pillow, you won’t be short of ways to keep little ones entertained. There’s also short walking trails and a playpark, and, if you’re looking for staycations in Reading, why not bring your tent and camp under the stars?

Step into local history at Reading Museum or MERL
Reading is packed with history and culture, so why not explore its past with a family trip to Reading Museum? Hosting exhibitions, permanent galleries, and the only full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, it makes for a great family trip. If you have time, you can always pick up a map and wander to the Abbey Ruins afterwards – both are free to visit. The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) has a family friendly collection celebrating the countryide, food and farming. There are family trails and a lovely garden to let off steam.

Visit the animals at Beale Wildlife Park
If you’re looking for wildlife, look no further than Beale Wildlife Park, located just 6 miles west of Reading town centre in Lower Basildon. Home to over 160 species of animals from monkeys to zebras, Berkshire’s only wildlife park is set in 350 acres of countryside, right next to the River Thames. Along with the zoo, there’s also a train, play area, farmyard, gift shop, gardens – and a café serving ‘proper’ coffee.

Also west of Reading is Bozedown Farm where you can walk alpacas. The might come from Peru, but they are quite at home in Reading.

See Reading from the water on a Thames River Cruise
For a different view of Reading, why not take to the water with a Thames River Cruise? Starting from Caversham, just north of the town centre, the river trips on offer range from 45-minute taster sessions through to longer 3-hour cruises and explore nearby riverside villages of Goring, Shiplake and Pangbourne. Keep your eyes peeled during half terms and school holidays for special offers for children too.

Take a trip to Basildon Park
A National Trust property situated a few miles to the west of Reading town centre in Berkshire’s countryside, Basildon Park is a great option for a family-friendly day out in Reading. Featuring a Mansion House and 400 acres of gardens and parkland to explore, it’ll keep even the most restless little ones entertained. There’s also a gift shop and tea rooms when it’s time for a rest!

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Elegant Hair

Address

Union Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EU

Telephone
07472 884441

READING

Elegant Hair and Beauty Salon is the premier Afro Hair Salon in the Berkshire area.
Jacobs the Jewellers

Address

25 King Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HE

Telephone
0118 959 0790

connect@jacobsthejewellers.com

READING

Family owned trusted independent jewellery shop selling expertly made new jewellery, antique pieces with on site jewellery repairs, valuations and design.
The Face Bar

Address

Ambrose Place, Chatham Street, READING, Berkshire, RG2 8SL

Telephone
0118 9568188

sharon.facebar@gmail.com

READING

Modern bar and rock club with regular DJ sessions and a reputation for staging wild gigs.
Pitcher and Piano

Address

18 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1DB

Telephone
0118 958 8964

reading@pitcherandpiano.com

Reading

Pitcher & Piano Reading is an oasis in the bustle of central Reading. Located just a short walk from the train station, this is the ideal place for a quiet drink after work...
You Me Sushi

Address

150 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1HE

Reading

A comprehensive menu with the best sushi in Reading including vegan & vegetarian sushi options too. You can search on Deliveroo for sushi and we’re also in the Just Eat sushi & Uber Eats sushi sections too. Order direct with us online or on our app…
7 Flowers & Tea

Address

4 Cross Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1SN

READING

We are an independently run florist and tea room in central Reading, offering you a unique experience to handpick and design your own personalised bouquets, boxes and gifts. We offer the best choice of quality flowers and pride ourselves on…
LolaLo

Address

126 Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EP

READING

Bringing you a little piece of Polynesian paradise and a true taste of the tropics, Lola Lo’s unique party and night club experience will instantly seduce your senses and sweep you off to the South Pacific – the perfect place to kick back, relax and…
Phantom Brewing Company

Address

Unit 2-3 Meadow Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8LB

READING

Phantom Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in Reading, Berkshire. With the main goal of producing the freshest beer, made with the highest quality ingredients, we have worked hard to provide a welcoming community hub in our taproom in Reading…
Premier Inn Reading Caversham Bridge

Address

Richfield Avenue, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ

Telephone
0333 321 8344

readingcavershambridgepi@premierinn.com

READING

Everything's Premier but the price. The Premier Inn at Caversham Bridge is ideally situated near the River Thames, and an easy walk to the town centre.
London Street Brasserie

Address

Riverside Oracle, 2-4 London Street, Reading, RG1 4PN

Reading

The London Street Brasserie is the second award winning restaurant by owner and proprietor Paul Clerehugh. Opened in 2000, next to the river Kennet in the heart of Reading, the London Street Brasserie won both critical acclaim and Michelin…
Slaters

Address

39 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 939 3479

contact@slaters.co.uk

Reading

Slaters are a family run business with 40 years’ experience. With tailored suits starting from £49, as well as suit packages including shirt, tie and shoes for only £79 they are your first port of call for formal wear or hire. Each store hires a…
The Roseate Reading

Address

26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJ

Telephone
0118 952 7770

reception.TFLR@roseatehotels.com

Reading

A luxury hotel that oozes elegance, conveniently located in the centre of Reading. This award-winning hotel is minutes walking distance from the Reading station, with journeys as short as 22 minutes to Paddington. Perfect for a weekend escape to…
Warren James

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 959 5779

READING

Warren James first opened in 1979 offering something new to customers: great jewellery design – just like the brands – but half the price .To date Warren James has become one of the largest jewellers in the UK. The original passion and dedication is…
The Pantry Cafe & Kitchen

Address

Blagrave Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1QH

READING

A vibrant and contemporary space providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle for a coffee or taking time over lunch, you’ll find a great big welcome in comfy surroundings.
Offering a delicious…
Holiday Inn Reading South - M4 Jcn 11

Address

500 Basingstoke Road, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0SL

Telephone
0871 942 9067

reservations@hireadingsouth.com

READING

The hotel is situated 10 minutes south of Reading city centre and offers on-site parking for cars and coaches. The hotel is also close to the Madjeski Stadium and has a welcoming Open Lobby and bar plus Spirit Health Club ensure our guests have a…
Rosa's Thai

Address

Jacksons Corner, 1-9 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EY

Telephone
0118 304 5279

reading@rosasthai.com

Reading

Rosa's Thai uses the best ingredients straight from Thai producers, from tamarind sauce that goes into every Pad Thai to coconut milk used in every single curry, so that the final dishes taste exactly like how they're cooked in Thailand.
Rosa’s…
Subway - Broad Street Mall

Address

Broad Street Mall, Reading, RG1 7QG

Reading
Ernest Jones

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Diamond and watch specialist, Ernest Jones, has a stunning range of jewellery and accessories in contemporary and classic designs – the perfect gift for yourself, or someone close to you.
At the store you’ll find some of the world’s finest, most…
Alto Lounge

Address

Church Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8AU

Telephone
0118 947 3522

alto@thelounges.co.uk

Reading

In the heart of Church Street, the good people of Caversham have been popping into Alto Lounge for years now.
What keeps people coming back? It could be our great range of food and drinks (including kids, gluten-free and vegan menus), it could be…
RISC World Shop and Global Refills

Address

35-39 London Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4PS

READING

Founded in 1987, we are one of the UK's largest fair trade shops. Our selection of gifts, books, cards and food is wide ranging and we pride ourselves on having something for everyone; little ones love our wooden toys and puzzles; our natural body…

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