What's New in Reading for 2024

Thames Rivercruise is 50!

Thames Rivercruise were set up 50 years ago, in 1974, by friends Tim Deaton and Dave O’Neil.  Based on The Thames in Reading, they sail between Henley and Moulsford through some of the most idyllic and unspoilt Thames reaches. Since 1974, the business has grown from one small wooden cruiser to now being the home for both purpose-built modern steel boats and a heritage fleet of 1920s and 1930s vessels. Tim is one of the oldest and longest serving skippers on the Thames and, with his son Ben, continues to run Thames Rivercruise hands on, carrying guests for daily river trips, special afternoon tea cruises and special events as well as parties through the season, starting in April. Find out more>>>

New Model Farming Gallery at The MERL

Many of us first encounter agriculture through the tiny world of farm toys and scale models. A new gallery at the Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) displays 150 models drawn largely from a collection of farm toys given to the Museum by Peter-Wade-Martins. This gallery might transport you back to your own childhood, or help you step into the playful shoes of Pippa Hughes with her play farm or Jon Hynard and his pedal tractors. Find out more>>>

Julian Grater: Arctic Mirage at Reading Museum

A new exhibition opens in the Madejski Gallery at Reading Museum this spring. Arctic Mirage brings together an ongoing body of work by Reading-based artist Julian Grater which explores the contemporary high arctic through painting, drawing and photograph. Saturday 16 March – Saturday 20 July 2024.

St James’ Way pilgrimage route

2024 will see more developments along the St James’ Way, the UK leg of the Camino de Santiago, which runs from Reading Abbey Ruins to Southampton. The 70 mile long-distance walking route was shortlisted for a British Guild of Travel Writers Award in November and was the subject of a recent BBC TV One Show report presented by Spencer Matthews of ‘Made in Chelsea’ fame. A new guide book to the route has been published by the Confraternity of St James and A-Z maps have published a 34 page map of the whole route. You can even walk the route while someone carries your bags. Find out more>>> 

New Walking Tours for 2024

• Terry’s Reading Walkabouts has two new tours to add to his 16 themed Reading walks. Reading Victoria Park Area Walkabout covers the area from the 12th century as Abbey lands through Victorian times to the present; Katesgrove 'Bricks, Iron, Sails, Potts & a Meadow' Walkabout covers the area’s wonderful history, culture, heritage and fine Victorian brickwork. Terry’s walks have raised over £17,000 for mainly local charities and he was the winner of a 2023 Pride of Reading Award for his contribution to local culture. Find out more>>>
• Walk Reading have added a short Introductory Reading walking tour to their repertoire of walks. An ideal way to discover the general history of the town, from its medieval foundation to becoming the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world, full of the work of famous Victorian architects and playing a role in the history of photography. Walk Reading’s programme starts up again after a winter break in March. Find out more>>>

Festival dates 2024

Reading has a great range of festivals, many of which take place every year. Find out the dates for the biggest festivals in Reading in 2024, from the indie music festival Are You Listening to Reading Children’s Festival, Heritage Open Days and Reading Indie Comedy Festival. Find out more>>>

New pubs and bars

The company behind the Brasserie Blanc chain have restored the former Sun Inn on Castle Street and it re-opened in summer 2024 as a gastropub and restaurant as the The Rising Sun. Local brewery Siren have also opened their first Reading Bar in 2024. Part of the brand new Station Hill development on Friar Street, Siren Brew Bar Reading has over 25 real ales as well as great food. 

Vintage comes to Reading

A vintage clothing retailer, supplying hand-picked, one-off pieces has opened in Reading town centre. Flamingo’s operates a Kilo Sale model identified by a traffic light colour system, as well as priced-per-piece exclusive items. Find out more>>>

Reading Buses tap on / off payment introduced

Reading Buses have introduced new tap on / tap off payment using your contactless bank card or mobile devices so you won’t need to ask the driver for a ticket or say where you are heading, there’s no ticket to take and the system will cap all your journeys on one day at the day ticket rate. Just remember to tap off with the same card or mobile device when you get off. Find out more>>> 

Reading Visitor Guide 2024

A new printed guide for visitors to Reading offers suggestions on places to visit and things to do in Reading as well as shopping, dining and where to stay suggestions. Produced by REDA, Reading’s Destination and Economy Agency, the 36-page guide is free and is designed to be used in conjunction with visit-reading.com. It can be picked up at many locations across Reading including Reading Station, Reading Museum, The Oracle Shopping centre and libraries, as well as a number of hotels. It can also be downloaded here.