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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
Bridge Street, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8AHTelephone
01189 481088READING
We are based at the heart of the Upper Thames and cruise through some of the most stunning reaches of the Thames from Henley and Sonning up to Going and Streatley. Dearting from Caversham Pier in Reading, we sail up to Mapledurham on 45 mnutes, 60…
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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
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
01183 273600READING
Grape Tree, the home of “feel good foods”, now have 100 retail stores selling a variety of health food, nuts, seeds, dried and crystallised fruit, snacks, confectionery, cooking and baking ingredients as well as coconut oil.. Real value for money…
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Address
Rose Kiln Lane, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0SNTelephone
0118 402 7800READING
Grosvenor Casino Reading is the perfect leisure destination with a fantastic restaurant, amazing bar, live Show Bar, and Games Lounge.
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Address
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 958 8293READING
Sushimania offers traditional Japanese cuisine ranging from sashimi, sushi, traditional & modern makis. As well as grilled seafood’s & meats, tempuras, rice and noodles.
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Address
11 Duke Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4SATelephone
0118 958 8085Reading
Independent cafe with sandwiches, baguettes, panini's and hot and cold drinks.
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Address
5 Union Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1EUTelephone
0118 959 8250Reading
Reading's dedicated specialist games shop. Board games, card games, miniatures games, puzzles and more.
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READING
Treatz Dessert Parlour is sleek, modern and comfortable, ready to bring you some seriously amazing desserts! The menu includes utterly delicious...
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Address
10-14 Duke Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4RUREADING
Reading town centre's neighbourood Italian deli.
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Address
The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AGREADING
What began as a small buffalo-style chicken wing restaurant in Garland, Texas, continues to soar to great heights.
Since setting up shop in '94, they've been putting flavor first. And they're not about to stop. Wingstop are all about taking their…
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Address
The Oracle Shopping Centre Unit U1, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 957 3931Reading
American diner style burger joint serving hamburgers grilled to perfection alongside chips fried in peanut oil.
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Address
Marlow Road, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 2HYTelephone
01491 573419HENLEY-ON-THAMES
Our five star, landscaped Henley on Thames Touring & Camping park in the Oxfordshire countryside is perfectly placed for guests wishing to visit London, Reading, Windsor & Oxford. The park is a short walk from the beautiful town of Henley on Thames…
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Address
26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJTelephone
0118 952 7770Reading
The Reading Room will offer delicious modern cuisine revolving around the freshest, seasonal ingredients and best of British produce from Executive Chef Rajesh Maharjan. Guests can opt to try the delectable Tasting Menu, which also has a specialised…
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Address
Westfield Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8HHReading
Beam Wellbeing delivers school-based, effective, early intervention support for children in and around Caversham and Reading. As an experienced, advanced practitioner, I run 1:1 Drawing and Talking and sand play sessions as well as group work for…
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Address
35 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PWTelephone
0118 958 6775Reading
Stylish gay-friendly bar with fantastic champagne and wine menu. Gorgeous decor, great atmosphere and regular live entertainment and events, including karaoke every Thursday, and just a stone's throw from the station...
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Address
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QAREADING
Building, painting and playing with the best fantasy miniatures in the world. A Warhammer store is the gateway to a range of exciting hobby activities that can provide hours of fun, whether enjoying Warhammer alone, with friends and family, or…
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Address
3-5 Cremyll Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8NQTelephone
07952 714 385Reading
A welcoming space where you can learn how to move well for life. Yoga Reading is a community yoga studio based on the Caversham-Reading border. It’s where you can find the perfect movement practice to suit your mind and your body. Our teachers are…
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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…
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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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