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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Vodafone

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AH

Telephone
0870 070 0191

Reading

Fibre broadband, digital TV, landline phone and mobile services from Virgin Media. Order online for the best broadband, cable TV, phone and mobile deals.
South Reading Leisure Centre

Address

Northumberland Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 8DH

Telephone
0118 304 4861

SouthReading@gll.org

Reading

South Reading Leisure Centre offers a range of indoor and outdoor facilities for the local community, including a swimming pool, tennis courts and a sports hall. The gym features a range of cardio and resistance stations, a dedicated free weight…
Tesco Extra superstore

Address

Napier Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8DF

Telephone
0345 674 6466

Reading

UK's largest supermarket chain, with express stores to serve as a quick stop for your everyday grocery needs, or to grab dinner on the way home from work.
Palmer Park Sports Stadium

Address

Wokingham Road, Reading, Berskhire, RG6 1LF

Telephone
0118 304 4787

PalmerPark@gll.org

Reading

Set in acres of beautiful parkland, Palmer Park Sports Stadium is one of the finest outdoor sports centres in the region. The stadium offers a combination of outstanding outdoor and indoor facilities including; Athletics stadium, 460m Velodrome,…
Readipop

Address

Trafford Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8JP

READING

From providing weekly interaction through our community bands, to being a young person’s sole place of interaction with education or engagement, Readipop always aims to facilitate ‘Music Changing Lives’
Albin & Co Solicitors

Address

46a West Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1TZ

Telephone
0118 957 4018

Reading

Albin & Co are highly respected solicitors offering legal advice to legal aid & privately funded clients.
Skipton Building Society

Address

30 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1TG

Telephone
0118 959 0409

Reading

Savings, mortgages, pensions and investments - plan for your life ahead with Skipton Building Society.
Greggs, 10 Queen Victoria St

Address

10 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, RG1 1TG

Reading
Therapists on the High Street

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 951 0637

info@therapistsonthehighstreet.co.uk

READING

Therapists on the High Street is a Sports Therapy and Wellness Walk in Clinic, offering accessible, convenient and affordable Sports Therapy. Sports Therapy is an essential healthcare for everyone, from sporting and non-sporting backgrounds.
Choose…
MADEbyTamalia @ Creativ.Spaces

Address

Creativ.Spaces Art Studio & Event Spaces, 2b Southview Business Park, Marsack Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5AF

sue@creativspaces.co.uk

Marsack Street, Caversham, Reading

Bespoke Art & Craft Parties & Themed Immersive Events. Looking for something a little different for your party or event? From urban industrial unit to clandestine party pad - our quirky artist designed venue hides the ultimate escape for…
Hen…
Reading Quality Fish

Address

7 West Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1TT

Telephone
0118 957 6917

Info@readingqualityfish.co.uk

Reading

Independently owned fish mongers.
Sainsbury's - Broad Street

Address

7-8 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

Telephone
0118 959 9824

Reading

Well known supermarket offering a massive range of groceries in the town centre.
Meadway Sports Centre

Address

Conwy Close, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4BZ

Telephone
0118 3044 077

meadway@gll.org

Reading

Meadway Sports Centre offers a varied range of activities and facilities to suit everyone. Facilities include a fully equipped gym, a 20 metre swimming pool, squash and badminton courts, a fitness class and group cycle studio and a multi sports area.
Perfect Beauty

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 958 4031

READING

Perfect Beauty Salon is home to the team of experienced and qualified beauticians offering a wide range of beauty treatments from make-up, shellac nails and IPL hair removal. The team are experts in eyebrow grooming and shaping, using the ancient…
Mooboo Bubble Tea

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

READING

Mooboo opened its doors last summer and offers a huge selection of teas, smoothies and mocktails. Their passion is to create the highest quality drinks and desserts for all, and stay one step ahead of the competition!
Mooboo’s menu boasts an array…
The Baskerville

Address

Station Road, Lower Shiplake, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 3NY

Telephone
0118 940 3332

enquiries@thebaskerville.com

HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Warm and welcoming hotel paired with an award winning restaurant and pub. The Baskerville Arms is the perfect spot for an overnight or weekend stay where you can enjoy incredible food and drink without leaving the hotel.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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