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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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Select Car Leasing Stadium (Reading FC)

Address

Junction 11, M4, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0FL

Telephone
0118 968 1100

READING

Home to Reading Football Club, the stadium (formerly known as the Madejski Stadium) holds 24,000 people. Reading FC play in the EFL Championship currently and celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2021/22.
Wokingham Waterside Centre

Address

Thames Valley Park Drive, READING, Berkshire, RG6 1PQ

Telephone
0118 926 8280

READING

Wokingham Waterside Centre is a unique riverside, water sports and conference venue set on a picturesque stretch of the river Thames in Berkshire. Water sports include canoeing, kayaking, katakanuing, bellboating, dragon boating, stand up…
Comptoir Libanais

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 321 3999

reading@comptoirlibanais.com

READING

Lebanese canteen on the Riverside at The Oracle. Comptoir Libanais (French for “Lebanese counter”) offers an abundance of healthy dishes, bursting with flavours and colours. It provides a refreshing and contemporary alternative to the usual casual…
Double-Barrelled Brewery

Address

Unit 20 Stadium Way, Tilehurst, READING, Berkshire, RG30 6BX

Telephone
0118 942 8390

READING

You can visit us on Fridays and Saturdays at our on-site taproom, where we serve a wide variety of beers direct from our warehouse cold store, where our beer is continuously stored between 4-5 degrees, keeping it in the best condition possible for…
Beadle Crome Interiors

Address

44-52 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7LA

Telephone
0118 958 1356

Reading

Sleek showroom for high-end contemporary furnishings from Europe, plus computerised design service.
Castle Fine Art

Address

5 Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Telephone
0118 959 0300

reading@castlegalleries.com

Reading

Specialising in fine art, the gallery is known far and wide for having 'the best complimentary coffee' for miles.
Moss

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Moss is ‘The UK’s No.1 Branded Suit Specialist’ with an unrivalled expertise and a proud heritage that spans over a century.
With styles to suit all tastes and budgets, the Moss Bross store at The Oracle carries an extensive range of suits,…
Jelly - making space for art

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 9571869

enquiries@jelly.org.uk

READING

Jelly is an energetic charity championing the creative arts. We have played a strategic role in Reading’s cultural life since 1993 – enabling art to appear in unexpected places and creating opportunities for people to look on and join in. We believe…
Stitch in Time

Address

24 Cross Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SN

Telephone
0118 958 1462

Reading

Tailor offering alterations and other services.
The Botanist

Address

1-5 King St, Reading, RG1 2HD

Telephone
07393 546112

Reading

A concept like no other, offering a soon to be world-famous selection of botanical cocktails, craft beers and ales, Champagne and wine...
Lakeland

Address

97 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AX

Telephone
0118 939 1708

Reading

Kitchenware chain with innovative gadgets and cooking utensils, plus homewares and garden products.
Milk Bar

Address

8 Merchants Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DT

Telephone
0118 958 5887

READING

Milk is an independent rum bar in the heart of Reading. Boasting over 100 rums, and a specially made in-house cocktail menu, we have been reading's purveyor of rare rums and prescribed cocktails for nearly ten years.
Terry's Reading Walkabouts

Address

READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
07505 351517

terry.dixon89@virginmedia.com

READING

Guided walks around Reading from local enthusiast Terry. There are 13 themed walks plus 3 New ones (2022) to choose from, including Town Centre, Architecture, Crime & Punishment, Photographic Heritage walks. Terry' s Walks are non-profit making and…
Rafina Coffee Lounge

Address

45 West Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1TZ

Telephone
0118 958 1941

Reading

Great location in the Town Centre. Traditional Cafe with a menu that has remained the same for over 20 years. Excellent value for money, with an....
Premier Inn Winnersh

Address

Reading Road, Winnersh, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG41 5HQ

Telephone
0118 338 3730

WOKINGHAM

With so many handy transport links nearby, our Premier Inn Winnersh hotel is in a great location. You'll only be a five-minute walk away from the Winnersh Triangle train station, making it easy for you to explore Reading. Discover local parks like…
Schuh

Address

54 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AF

Telephone
0118 391 3865

Reading

On-trend chain selling own-label and branded shoes, boots and trainers for adults and children.
Victoria's Secret

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 956 1951

Reading

Victoria's Secret is one of the most powerful, sexy and glamorous stores in the world, where you'll find a dazzling assortment of intimate apparel, beauty products, sleepwear, hosiery and more.
Wok to walk

Address

The Oracle, Reading, RG1 2AG

Reading
Creams

Address

14-16 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG1 7LA

Telephone
0118 956 1649

Reading

Located oppositie Broad Street Mall is Creams, the American styled parlour that specialises in Italian Gelato & desserts. Sundaes at Creams mostly cost between..
Three Guineas

Address

Station Approach, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LY

Telephone
0118 957 2743

Reading

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself, The Three Guineas was built to serve… and whether you fancy cask ales, commuter coffees or cracking cuisine, we certainly live up to that. Right by Reading Station, we’ve served thousands of travellers…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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