Palmer Park community pool
Thames River Cruise

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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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O'Neill's

Address

4 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PJ

Telephone
0118 960 6580

oneillsreading@gmail.com

Reading

O’Neill’s can offer you a warm welcome and a cold beer! They invite you to enjoy great food, live music and a perfectly poured pint of Guinness® or chilled Magners...
Slug & Lettuce - Friar Street

Address

7-10 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1DB

Telephone
0118 959 7090

Reading

Slug & Lettuce Friar Street is a cool and contemporary bar, which has just undergone a huge refurbishment with the most instagrammable decor you can imagine! Serving all of your S&L faves from Afternoon Tea to Boozy brunches! Start planning your…
Boom Battle Bar

Address

Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1JX

Telephone
01184 693506

Reading

BOOM BATTLE BAR Reading is the ultimate entertainment hotspot in the heart of town, serving up high-energy games like axe throwing, AR darts, beer pong, shuffleboard, and more.
The Nag's Head

Address

5 Russell Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7XD

Telephone
0118 957 4659

Reading

The Nag's Head is a CAMRA award-winning pub situated near Reading town centre. Specialising in Keg and Craft Cask, we have 12 hand pumps featuring a constantly changing variety of Craft Casks from predominantly local breweries as well as a selection…
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...
Angelos

Address

9 Friars Walk, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1HP

angelosreading@outlook.com

Reading

Ciao! Welcome to Angelo's, where authentic Italian cuisine is crafted with passion and tradition. We invite you to savor the true flavors of Italy. Buon appetito.
Riverside Museum at Blake's Lock

Address

Gas Works Road (next to Bel & The Dragon), READING, Berkshire, RG1 3EQ

Telephone
0118 9373400

READING

This small branch site tells the story of Reading's two rivers - the Kennet and the Thames. The Riverside Museum occupies two Listed former waterworks buildings, the Screen House and the Turbine House.
The Turbine House hosts a programme of…
Be At One

Address

1 Gun Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2JR

Telephone
0118 956 0666

reading@beatone.co.uk

Reading

Looking for cocktails in Reading? We have the tunes, drinks (a menu of 100+ cocktails!) and vibe to get you in the mood!
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…
Panino Cafe

Address

11 Duke Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4SA

Telephone
0118 958 8085

Reading

Independent cafe with sandwiches, baguettes, panini's and hot and cold drinks.
Subway - Reading Station

Address

Brunei Arcade, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LT

Telephone
0118 956 8106

Reading

Subway is a privately held American fast food restaurant franchise that primarily purveys submarine sandwiches and salads.
Burley Lodge Equestrian

Address

Hyde End Road, Shinfield, READING, Berkshire, RG2 9EP

Telephone
01189 886 936

READING

Burley Lodge Equestrian Centre is a family run riding centre set in 180 acres of land in Shinfield, just south of Reading, Berkshire. We are a 'BHS Approved Centre' and are very proud to have gained the Highly Commended status from our inspection…
JD Gyms Reading

Address

Reading Link Retail Park, Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 0SN

Telephone
0118 227 9881

reading@jdgyms.co.uk

Reading

Located in Reading Link Retail Park, JD Gyms Reading is an incredible fitness facility which is open 24 hours.
Nisbets

Address

61-62 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DX

Reading

Nisbets was established in 1983 with the aim to provide high quality catering equipment at affordable prices. We understand the pressures of a commercial kitchen and making your life easier is at the heart of what we do.
Fidget and Bob

Address

The Piazza, Kennet Island, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 0GX

Telephone
0118 931 0271

hello@fidgetandbob.co.uk

Reading

Fidget & Bob is the new all-day café bar in Kennet Island, Reading.
Pret A Manger - Broad Street

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
020 7932 5317

Reading

Pret opened in London in 1986. College friends, Sinclair and Julian, made proper sandwiches avoiding the obscure chemicals, additives and preservatives common...
Terry's Reading Walkabouts

Address

READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
07505 351517

terry.dixon89@virginmedia.com

READING

The original Guided walks going over 8 years around my home town in fun way. 18 themes, inc.Town Centre, Architecture, Crime/Punishment, Photographic Heritage, Ghosts. All donated go to local charities, raising over £24,000 & taken out 4500 people!
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.
Shed

Address

8 Merchant's Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1DT

Telephone
0118 956 1482

Reading

Gourmet sandwiches and soups, plus coffee and cakes, in a cafe with exposed brick in an old forge.
Reading Cricket Club

Address

Sonning Lane, Sonning, READING, Berkshire, RG4 6ST

READING

We are a prosperous club with a long tradition of nurturing talented and aspiring young cricketers to be the best that they can be.
Reading Cricket Club is a friendly, vibrant and progressive cricket club that features competitive and successful…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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