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-centre location, it can be paired perfectly with a family trip to your favourite restaurant, too!

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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Vino.Vita

Address

20 Valpy street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1AR

Telephone
0118 950 5493

guest@vinovita.bar

Reading

We are authentic Italian wine bars boasting quality wines and tempting Italian food. Vino.Vita was born in 2013 with two friends who shared a love for Italian Aperitivo, the ritual of drinking, nibbling and relaxing after work. A daily occasion to…
New Look - The Oracle

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 950 5741

Reading

Fashionable womenswear chain; some stores also include menswear, plus-sizes and maternity clothing.
The Oracle Shopping Centre

Address

The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG

Reading

The Oracle is the leading regional shopping centre in the Thames Valley with a wide range of shopping and dining brands, including Apple, Hollister and Next.
Co-space

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
020 80661761

hello@co-space.co.uk

READING

Co-Space boasts 16 spacious,fully furnished office suites available to rent, ranging from between 2 person, up to 50+ person spaces, available with a range of flexible level membership options suit individual needs and changing requirements.
Nando's The Oracle

Address

4 The Riverside, The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 950 2199

Reading

Home to the legendary flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. Afro-Portuguese inspired. South African born. Whether you are eating in the restaurants or getting...
Museum of Berkshire Aviation

Address

Mohawk Way, Woodley, READING, Berkshire, RG5 4UE

Telephone
0118 944 8089

READING

Berkshire's dynamic contribution to aviation history is graphically recaptured at the museum. Run as a charitable trust, the museum is at the historic site of Woodley Airfield, near Reading, U.K. - once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry.…
Flamingo's Vintage

Address

21 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SY

Reading

Flamingos Vintage UK is a Vintage clothing retailer, currently supplying hand-picked, one-off pieces in the UK’s south-west. At Flamingo’s, we operate a Kilo Sale identified by a traffic light color system, as well as priced-per-piece Exclusive items
Monks Retreat

Address

163-163A Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1HE

Telephone
0118 950 7592

Reading

The name of this Stonegate pub, and the street it is in, recalls the Franciscan monks who came to Reading in the 13th century.
F Hinds

Address

63 Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 958 5464

onlinesales@fhinds.co.uk

Reading

F.Hinds always guarantees the quality of their products. As Britain’s leading independent jeweller, they use their considerable buying power to source great products and pass the savings on to all of their customers. On offer is an extensive…
Bravissimo

Address

2 Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Telephone
0118 950 5952

Reading

Lingerie, swimwear and clothes for women who are a D-L cup.
Subway - Tesco Extra Oxford Road

Address

Tesco Extra, Reading, RG301AP

Reading
Hilton Skin & Body Clinic

Address

7 Church Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AA

Telephone
01189 464 333

info@hiltonskinclinics.co.uk

Reading

Skin experts and advanced medical aesthetics in Caversham, Berkshire. As experts in skin and medical aesthetics, we are dedicated to providing non-invasive luxury aesthetic skin and body treatments to help our clients achieve healthy and radiant…
The Boundary

Address

21-23 St Marys Butts, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2LN

Telephone
0118 951 9001

Reading

One of Reading's newly refurbished bar's in the Town Centre. A popular place for beer and burgers especially with the students...
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.
Basildon Park

Address

Lower Basildon, READING, Berkshire, RG8 9NR

Telephone
01491 672382

READING

Basildon Park is a country house situated to the west of Reading, between the villages of Upper Basildon and Lower Basildon. It is owned by the National Trust and is a Grade I listed building. The house was built between 1776 and 1783 for Sir…
Co-space

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
020 80661761

hello@co-space.co.uk

READING

Our Reading meeting rooms are easily accessible and can hold up to 36 people. All our meeting rooms are available for hire by members and non-members alike and provide a confidential space which are equipped with plug and play TV and video…
Stanlake Park Wine Estate

Address

Stanlake Park, Twyford, READING, Berkshire, RG10 0BN

Telephone
0118 934 0176

tours@stanlakepark.com

READING

Stanlake Park in Twyford, Berkshire is one of the oldest vineyards and wine producers in England. Our Italian winemaker’s modern and international approach is reflected in award-winning wines that are enjoyable, very drinkable and the perfect…
Miniso

Address

11 Broad Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

READING

MINISO is a fun design-led lifestyle retail store for all the family, offering a full range of high-quality and innovative products including toys, tech, stationery, accessories, homeware, food, health, and beauty - all for great value.

MINISO…
Sweeney and Todd

Address

10 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7RD

Telephone
0118 958 6466

Reading

Restaurant with acclaimed pies and deli selling pasties, sausage rolls and free range scotch eggs.
Claire's Accessories - The Oracle

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 971 9052

Reading

Jewellery and accessory specialist offering ear piercing services.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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