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24 hours in Reading
Reading is a great day trip location. Just 23 minutes from London Paddington Station by train and also on the Elizabeth Line, which is free for TFL Freedom Pass holders.
Here’s an example itinerary for a day visit to Reading. 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 Gails Bakery or Paul's Patisserie.
10am: Get cultural with Reading’s heritage
After breakfast, why not explore a bit of Reading’s local...Read More
24 hours in Reading
Reading is a great day trip location. Just 23 minutes from London Paddington Station by train and also on the Elizabeth Line, which is free for TFL Freedom Pass holders.
Here’s an example itinerary for a day visit to Reading. 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 Gails Bakery or Paul's Patisserie.
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. You can even view the ruins as they would have been 400 years ago with the help of AR.
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 four 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. Reading town centre is just 500 metres from The Thames. Head to the river and sample a small section of the famous Thames Path or take a short circular cruise with Thames River Cruise. Reading's Victorian pleasure gardens, Forbury Gardens, are next to the amazing medieval Abbey Ruins which are open every day. 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 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 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, the Ale House, or Zero Degrees with its very own micro-brewery. Just opened, the Rising Sun is a new gastropub and restaurant and Siren Brew Bar serves local beer in a modern setting at Station Hill.
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?
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Number of results: 511
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READING
Packed with excitement, you and your teammates will leap into new worlds completing ground-breaking missions. Work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out. This isn’t something you watch, it’s…
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Address
The Oracle Centre - Riverside, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGReading
Udon noodles made with skillful hands in our open kitchen, unhurried broths, flavour-filled, freshly fried tempura topped with condiments to compliment. All served with love, that’s the Marugame way.
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Address
1-2 Market Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2EGTelephone
0118 304 3400READING
Retro industrial chic hotel with 24 uniquely decorated rooms in the heart of Reading centre. A few minute’s walk from Reading train station, a stone throw away from The Oracle shopping centre and all the other great amenities Reading town centre has…
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Address
Queens Walk, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QFREADING
Crazy Golf, Ten Pin Bowling and Darts comes to Reading! An independent competitive socialising venue run by local people with an affinity for good times, fine cocktails, ice cold beers and stonebaked pizza. An intimate bowling experience with…
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Address
Milton Road, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 1JYTelephone
0118 989 5100WOKINGHAM
A charming and lush retreat located near Wokingham. Perfect for a relaxing escape to the gorgeous countryside Berkshire has to offer.
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Address
64 Kings Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BJREADING
Take a group of Sri Lankan friends and family brought together by a vision of bringing Sri Lankan eats to communities across the world. With hard work and dedication, the vision became a reality, and The Coconut Tree was born. We’re passionate…
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Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2ATTelephone
0118 956 6144Reading
Millie's Cookies creates hand-iced, personalised, giant cookies and mini biscuits ideal for birthday gifts and special occasions.
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Address
Wokingham Road, READING, Berkshire, RG6 1LEREADING
This large 50-acre parkland is home to Palmer Park Sport Stadium. It also offers a large children’s play area and adjacent cafe next to Wokingham Road with a second smaller accessible play area (known locally as ERAPA) near London Road. As well as…
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Address
Riverside Level, The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1AHTelephone
0118 957 1839Reading
Fantastic promotions, including 2-4-1 cocktails all day every day and mouth watering menu. Slug & Lettuce's guests are taken on...
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Address
53 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PZTelephone
0118 959 4267Reading
At the Oakford Social Club, music is everything. Which is why they put the best bands from across the country on their neon lit stage every week...
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Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 925 4500Reading
Apple retail store selling iPhones, iPads & more in sleekly designed spaces.
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Address
Thames Side, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8DGTelephone
0118 957 4323READING
Holiday hire cruisers - two to six berth, short breaks and weekly hire available March - November. Caversham Boat Services are offering a range of comfortably furnished and fitted cruisers and makes an excellent starting point for your holiday. The…
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Reading
Valpys is a cellar bar and bistro nestled in the heart of the town, just a minutes walk from Reading Station. They have a real love of all things food, drink and service...
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Address
14-16 Oxford Rd, Reading, RG1 7LATelephone
0118 956 1649Reading
Located oppositie Broad Street Mall is Creams, the American styled parlour that specialises in Italian Gelato & desserts. Sundaes at Creams mostly cost between..
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Address
5 Church Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AAReading
HUMOS is a distinguished natural perfumery based in Reading, Berkshire, dedicated to crafting unique fragrances that reflect the individuality of its clients. Offering an array of services including private bespoke design, fragrance commissions for…
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Address
39 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AATelephone
0118 959 4252Reading
WHSmith is a high-street retailer that offers a range of products including books, stationary, magazines, newspapers and entertainment products.
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READING
South Street is situated just to the South of Reading's town centre, 5 minutes from the Oracle Riverside, and boasts two performance spaces. The small-scale programme focuses on critically acclaimed touring theatre, music, comedy & spoken word.…
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Address
Station Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1LGREADING
Fast-food burger chain serving sides such as chili & baked potatoes.
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