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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
153 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1HETelephone
0118 957 5771Reading
Open since 1864, a shop selling, repairing, servicing and hiring many musical instruments. \nWe will be offering an appointment system for customers to view and try instruments from 6pm - 8:00pm, customers will be able to book a slot and will then…
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Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQTelephone
0118 939 4389Reading
Trendy chain retailer with Southern-Californian inspired apparel and accessories aimed at young adults.
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Address
96 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2APReading
The UK's Largest Independent Running Store
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Address
Letcombe Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HNTelephone
0333 321 8345READING
Premier Inn Reading Central is located at the heart of Reading. Opposite The Oracle Shopping and Leisure Centre, Reading Central is ideally located for guests whether here for business or leisure.
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Address
21 Duke Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4SATelephone
0118 958 5555Reading
Subway is a privately held American fast food restaurant franchise that primarily purveys submarine sandwiches and salads.
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Address
9 Bridge Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2LRTelephone
0118 959 7959Reading
Bar, restaurant and microbrewery, Zero Degrees is situated within 1 minute walking distance of the Oracle Shopping Centre and offers a wide range of settings that are perfect for any occasion. The Tank Lounge on the mezzanine level, complete with…
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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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Address
Kings Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4LYREADING
Reading’s resident professional theatre combines high-class productions with ground-breaking education and community engagement to help transform Reading and the surrounding area’s cultural landscape. With tickets from as little as £5 Reading Rep is…
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Address
22-24 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8JGTelephone
0118 959 6888Reading
Now open in larger premises in Caversham, Clays is an Indian Restaurant specialising in the regional cuisine that comes from the kitchens of the Royal Kings (Nawabs) of Hyderabad in the south of India. See Grace Dent's 2023 review in The Guardian.
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Address
The Oracle Centre, Riverside, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AGREADING
Join us by the Riverside at The Oracle Shopping Centre and enjoy our signature burgers, seasoned fries and a bottomless soft drink for £16.
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Address
De Vere Wokefield Estate, Goodboys Lane, Mortimer, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3AETelephone
0118 933 4000Mortimer, Reading
There has been an estate at Wokefield since the first house was built in the 1560s for the wealthy Plowden family. Set in 250 acres of Berkshire countryside, it’s history is etched in the different architectural features that greet you throughout.
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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
41 Church Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8BAReading
Founded in Reading in 2017 as a street food and catering business, after successfully building a following at local markets and events we went on to launch our first restaurant in Caversham in October 2019 which is still Reading's only fully plant…
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Address
Thames Valley Park Drive, READING, Berkshire, RG6 1PTREADING
Set in an easy-to-reach spot on Thames Valley Business Park, David Lloyd Reading is a first-class fitness destination for you and your family. With a state-of-the-art gym, wide range of exercise classes, sports facilities, a swimming pool and…
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Address
58 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AFReading
Our collection offers affordable shoes from one of the UK's leading shoe retailers. We have everything you could need from smart flats to trainers.
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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
21 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 950 4550Reading
Subway is a privately held American fast food restaurant franchise that primarily purveys submarine sandwiches and salads.
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Address
13 The Riverside, The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 959 6749Reading
All Bar One Reading is a vibrant city centre bar where you can eat, drink and escape the stresses of the day with laidback sophistication...
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Address
Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 958 7859Reading
Superdrug is quite simply the best in everyday accessible beauty and health. They are committed to bring innovation and the latest styles and trends to their stores at fantastic prices. The Superdrug Own Brand collection is not only great value and…
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Address
83 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 958 5379Reading
Retail chain with brand-name athletic shoes, clothing & related accessories for men, women & kids.
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