My Planner
My Planner
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Girls at Oracle Riverside
Searching for something...
-
Accommodation
-
Things to Do
-
Food & Drink
-
Shopping
Accommodation Search
Things to Do Search
Food & Drink Search
Shopping Search
24 hours in Reading
If time is short, you’ll still find lots of things to do to fill 24 hours in Reading. Here’s an example itinerary for a day visit to Reading, if you’re on a flying visit. Be warned and set your alarm– we’ve packed lots in!
9am: Start your day with breakfast at one of Reading’s best indie cafes
Reading is home to lots of places to eat and drink, with a superb café culture that rivals many other towns – so start your trip (and day) right with a visit to one of our fabulous independent cafes for breakkie. Try CUP for a touch a Greece, Shed for homemade goodness, or try Workhouse Coffee for an unbeatable choice of coffee beans (not to mention epic snacks!).
10am: Get cultural with Reading’s heritage
After breakfast, why not explore a bit of Reading’s local heritage? Reading Museum is perfectly located right in the centre of town and has the only full size Bayeux Tapestry replica among its relics, while the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) gives a fascinating history of the UK's countryside and people. After you’re topped up your knowledge in the museums, why not walk through 900 years of history at the Abbey Ruins, Reading’s very own ancient ruins and burial place of King Henry I, just around the corner from the main shopping streets.
11.30am: Hit the shops
From casual window shopping to serious retail therapy, it’s no wonder Reading is known for its fantastic shopping offer. From high street brands to quirkier independents and household names such as John Lewis, Reading has some of the best shopping in the South East, as well as three indoor shopping centres all within a short walk. There’s always time for a quick mooch, right?
1pm: Have lunch on the riverside
Once you’ve finished with the shops (or just need a pit-stop), head to the Oracle Riverside, where you’ll find a great selection of bars and restaurants dotted alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal, which flows rather scenically through the shopping centre. Providing a picturesque backdrop to a perfect lunch spot, The Oracle boasts some brilliant eateries for even the most discerning foodies, from fast food favourites and chains, right through to fine dining (and everything in between!).
3pm: Test your limits at an Escape Room
Reading is home to some of the best Escape Rooms in the country, offering a total of five top-rated sites with a variety of rooms, themes and difficulties, many of which are easily walkable from the town centre. So, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned escape artist, there’s a puzzle for you waiting to be solved.
4:30pm: Explore on foot with an afternoon stroll
What better way to clear your head after the escape room excitement, than with a short afternoon stroll around Reading. Head to the river and sample a small section of the famous Thames Path, or walk through the Victorian pleasure gardens, Forbury Gardens, for a shorter loop. You can continue through to the old Reading Prison site to visit Banksy’s ‘Create Escape’. Popping up in 2020, the artwork shows Oscar Wilde escaping from the Prison with his typewriter. A must-see for any Banksy fan!
6pm: Prepare to be entertained
When the evening comes, there’s no shortage of activities in Reading to keep you amused. Why not try tenpin bowling, darts, or crazy golf at the new social venue, Spinners? Try your hand at cocktail making at The Botanist, or wine tasting at Veeno? For something requiring less energy, check out the Hexagon’s programme of live shows or visit the independent Biscuit Factory for films, terrace and bar.
8pm: Eat, drink and be merry
Foodies, prepare yourselves – Reading has a great selection of restaurants and eateries from every corner of the globe. Burger fans should head for Wendy’s or Honest Burger, while some of the nation’s well-known chains can be found at the Oracle Riverside. If you’re looking for a treat, visit The Reading Room or London Street Brasserie, or if more of an independent vibe is what you’re after, try the Thames Lido, Valpy Street Bar & Bistro or Pepe Sale.
10pm: Sample the nightlife
When it comes to nightlife, Reading has it all. If you’re looking to dance off dinner, try one of Reading's nightclubs such as Revolution, Lola Lo, or the iconic Purple Turtle. Cocktail-lovers should head to Be at One, Milk or Revolution de Cuba, or for more of a relaxed vibe try Malmaison, Market House or the Oakford Social Club. If you fancy a good old-fashioned pint to keep you going into the early hours, visit one of Reading’s traditional pubs such as the Allied Arms or the Ale House, or Zero Degrees with its very own micro-brewery.
We hope this has inspired you to visit Reading on your next day trip and we look forward to welcoming you soon! Don't forget to take a look at accommodation options if you need a place to stay, or travel options from travelling to, and from, Reading. There’s always so much to do in Reading, so why not make your trip longer and extend your visit to a weekend break?
Inspiration
Number of results: 496
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Abbey Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BATelephone
0118 937 3400READING
Explore 900 years of history in Reading Abbey Quarter including the burial place of King Henry I, Jane Austen's schoolroom and Oscar Wilde's Gaol. Notably the Quarter includes Reading Museum, St. James' Church, St Laurence's Church, the Forbury…
Address
St James' Church, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3FDTelephone
07889 654979Reading
We are a local walking holiday company who offer four to seven day self-guided walking itineraries along the St James' Way from Reading to Southampton. Our packages include B&B accommodation, daily baggage transfers, transport to and from…
Address
4 Chatham Place, Reading, RG1 7JFReading
We are a small team of passionate bakers dedicated to bringing better bread to the people of Reading. Our focus is on naturally fermented sourdough and pastries, made by hand, from scratch, using local and seasonal produce wherever possible. Our…
Address
Thames Valley Park Drive, READING, Berkshire, RG6 1PQTelephone
0118 926 8280READING
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…
Address
8 Merchants Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DTTelephone
0118 958 5887READING
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.
Address
Whitchurch Road, Pangbourne, READING, Berkshire, RG8 7DATelephone
07912 068720READING
Meadow Farm Camping is a pop-up campsite for tents only, alongside the River Thames, close to the village of Pangbourne, with 6 pubs within a mile. Pop up loos, Washing-Up Stations with USB charging and cold water on site. BBQs and campfires…
Address
26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJTelephone
0118 952 7770Reading
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…
Address
Upper Mall, The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 959 1463Reading
The layout and atmosphere of Starbucks stores are specifically designed to be cosy and intimate, while at the same time providing people with their own personal...
Address
Hampstead Farm, Binfield Heath, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 4LGTelephone
07511 208490HENLEY-ON-THAMES
Located in an 18th century threshing barn just three miles outside out of Reading, The Henley Distillery, voted New Distillery of The Year 2022 by The Gin Guide, offers tours, gin tastings and fully-immersive gin-making experiences inviting people…
Address
Gun Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2JRREADING
Purple Turtle has been a staple of Reading nightlife for over 30 years, first opening in 1990 and going strong ever since. The bar first opened on Duke Street before moving over to Gun Street when the Oracle was being built in 1997. It is one of the…
Address
The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AGREADING
Lovisa was created out of the need for on trend fashion jewellery at ready to wear prices. Our trend spotting departments worldwide take inspiration from couture runways and current street style to deliver new, on trend, must-have styles to our…
Address
Sonning Eye, READING, Berkshire, RG4 6TYTelephone
0118 969 8000READING
Award-winning theatre set majestically on the banks of the River Thames. The Mill at Sonning Theatre now celebrates more than 40 years of entertainment and hospitality. Uniquely, with a two course meal enjoyed before the show, The Mill has gained…
Address
Select Car Leasing Stadium, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0FLTelephone
0118 9681313READING
The Select Car Leasing Stadium (formerly known as the Madejski Stadium) is the home of Reading FC. One of the oldest football clubs in the UK, Reading FC recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. The men's team currently play in the EFL…
Address
The Oracle Centre, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGReading
Bath and beauty expert L'Occitane brings the Provencal experience to you through its beautiful boutique store here at The Oracle. Natural ingredients go into an unrivalled range of refreshing, relaxing and invigorating soaps, handwashes, body…
Address
Level 1, The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AHTelephone
0845 600 2803Reading
Welcome to NatWest. Our extensive personal banking products including bank accounts, mortgages, credit cards, loans and more. Visit today to find out more.
Address
Sandford Lane, Hurst, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG10 0SUTelephone
0118 934 4424Wokingham
Dinton Pastures is an oasis of woodland, meadow and lakes in the midst of the most urbanised part of the Thames Valley. Easily accessible for both visitors and local residents with nearby public transport and motorway links.
Address
Unit 20 Stadium Way, Tilehurst, READING, Berkshire, RG30 6BXTelephone
0118 942 8390READING
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…
READING
Reading town centre's neighbourood Italian deli.
READING
The original Guided walks going 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 £19,000 & taken out 3500 people!
Follow us on social media
© Visit Reading 2024. All Rights Reserved
