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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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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…
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Address
21 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SYReading
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
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Address
55 Donkin Hill, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 5DGTelephone
0118 947 8853Reading
We are an independent family business based in Caversham, with almost 45 years’ experience in the tile industry. Our reputation is based on service and advice you can trust. Client satisfaction is everything - we will not let you down.
Our showroom… -
Address
Mapledurham Village, READING, Berkshire, RG4 7TRREADING
A 12th Century family house and farming estate tucked in beside the Thames in the heart of a unique English village away from the distractions of town, business or busy hotels, Mapledurham is an oasis of peace. The estate is a haven of tradition…
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Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 951 0064Reading
Fashion chain for men & women blending vintage Americana with Japanese & British inspirations.
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Address
The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AGREADING
Moss is ‘The UK’s No.1 Branded Suit Specialist’ with an unrivalled expertise and a proud heritage that spans over a century.
With styles to suit all tastes and budgets, the Moss Bross store at The Oracle carries an extensive range of suits,…
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Address
4 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PJTelephone
0118 960 6580Reading
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...
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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
Peppard Road, Emmer Green, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8XDTelephone
01189 472 496READING
The stables are in approx 43 acres of Oxfordshire countryside and on the Berks/South Oxfordshire border. We are on a bus route and are 3 miles from the centre of Reading.
The Riding school has been in existence since the mid-1960s and stood where…
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Address
45 West Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1TZTelephone
0118 958 1941Reading
Great location in the Town Centre. Traditional Cafe with a menu that has remained the same for over 20 years. Excellent value for money, with an....
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Address
42-43 Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 957 3807Reading
Boswells is a family run business that is truly passionate about great value and service. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or just a great coffee, pay them a visit and enjoy their warm and friendly welcome.
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Address
Unit 5A, The Oracle Riverside, Reading, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 950 3137Reading
Rubbing shoulders with chic boutiques and vibrant galleries, Browns Reading is the perfect place to soak up the cultural buzz of Berkshire’s well-connected hub...
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Address
7-11 Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LGTelephone
0118 959 2149Reading
Specialist supplier of new and used cameras, lenses, binoculars and photographic equipment.
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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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Address
8 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJTelephone
0118 950 8133Reading
Made-to-measure men's clothing.
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Address
21 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BHTelephone
0118 957 5514Reading
Retail chain providing mobile phones, tablets & broadband services.
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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!
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Address
Forbury Retail Park, Reading, RG1 3HSReading
Founded in 1995, Hobbycraft has since grown to a nationwide business with over 100 stores across the UK, ready to support and inspire an ever-expanding variety of crafts. The largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK, we've got everything you need…
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Address
Church Lane, Dunsden, READING, Berkshire, RG4 9QDTelephone
0118 948 1111READING
Our beers have been hailed for their quality and consistency since 2003 – winning awards all over the UK. Built on traditional foundations, we’ve continued to evolve and take our beers to the next level. From firkins of classic bitter to cans of New…
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Address
43-35 Broad Street, Reading, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 950 7200Reading
Döner & Gyros is a casual fast-food restaurant that serves healthy, delicious and affordable products. We take traditional sandwiches and give them an urban and modern twist. Since opening our first store 2014, we’ve come a long way. At Döner &…
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