Palmer Park community pool
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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

Reading is a great place to visit with the family, with plenty of child-friendly activities and attractions to suit everyone, and every budget. From farmyard visits and woodland strolls, to activities for the more adventurous cohorts, here’s some of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Reading to get you started. For families on a budget, take a look at our top 10 free attractions, most of which are suitable for all ages.

Watch a live show at Reading Hexagon
Reading’s theatre and arts venue, Reading Hexagon, sits on Queen's Walk in the centre of town. With a jam-packed events timetable running year-round, The Hexagon hosts some great family shows, from theatre productions and child-friendly plays to ballet productions and the Pantomime at Christmas. And with its handy town-centre location, it can be paired perfectly with a family trip to your favourite restaurant, too!

Embrace your wild side at Lagoona Park
Open from May-September, the Aqua Park at Lagoona Park is open to the whole family. But it's not just the watter obstacle course, you can try paddleboards, water bikes, and pedalos too.

Two new pools
Two new swimming pools have opened in Reading in the last 18 months. A brand new Rivermead Swimming Pool opened in summer 2024 with a 25m 8-lane main pool and a teaching and diving pool with 5 metre dive tower; 3 metre springboard and two 1 metre spring dives. In 2023, Palmer Park swimming pool opened with six lanes wide with family sessions, as well as a soft play area and cafe. You'll find it in Palmer Park in East Reading. You can also enjoy the paddling pool in Christchurch Meadows.

Channel your inner detective at Reading’s Escape Rooms
Reading is home to four top-rated Escape Room venues offering PG rated games and welcome younger players (if they’re accompanied with an adult, of course). Recommended ages are 8+ (Escape Hunt) and 12+ (Escape Reading), so if puzzle-solving sounds like your idea of family fun, there’s a challenge just waiting to be accepted!

Climb the walls (literally)
Reading has two indoor climbing centres for young and old who like hanging around at heights or bouldering. Or you can bounce at Red Kangaroo.

Go on an adventure at Wellington Country Park
Wellington Country Park offers an open air, fun-filled venue for children to explore. From a miniature railway and animal farm, to indoor soft play and even a giant bouncing pillow, you won’t be short of ways to keep little ones entertained. There’s also short walking trails and a playpark, and, if you’re looking for staycations in Reading, why not bring your tent and camp under the stars?

Step into local history at Reading Museum or MERL
Reading is packed with history and culture, so why not explore its past with a family trip to Reading Museum? Hosting exhibitions, permanent galleries, and the only full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, it makes for a great family trip. If you have time, you can always pick up a map and wander to the Abbey Ruins afterwards – both are free to visit. The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) has a family friendly collection celebrating the countryide, food and farming. There are family trails and a lovely garden to let off steam.

Visit the animals at Beale Wildlife Park
If you’re looking for wildlife, look no further than Beale Wildlife Park, located just 6 miles west of Reading town centre in Lower Basildon. Home to over 160 species of animals from monkeys to zebras, Berkshire’s only wildlife park is set in 350 acres of countryside, right next to the River Thames. Along with the zoo, there’s also a train, play area, farmyard, gift shop, gardens – and a café serving ‘proper’ coffee.

Also west of Reading is Bozedown Farm where you can walk alpacas. The might come from Peru, but they are quite at home in Reading.

See Reading from the water on a Thames River Cruise
For a different view of Reading, why not take to the water with a Thames River Cruise? Starting from Caversham, just north of the town centre, the river trips on offer range from 45-minute taster sessions through to longer 3-hour cruises and explore nearby riverside villages of Goring, Shiplake and Pangbourne. Keep your eyes peeled during half terms and school holidays for special offers for children too.

Take a trip to Basildon Park
A National Trust property situated a few miles to the west of Reading town centre in Berkshire’s countryside, Basildon Park is a great option for a family-friendly day out in Reading. Featuring a Mansion House and 400 acres of gardens and parkland to explore, it’ll keep even the most restless little ones entertained. There’s also a gift shop and tea rooms when it’s time for a rest!

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Thames River Cruise

Address

Bridge Street, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8AH

Telephone
01189 481088

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

READING

The Perfect Venue on the Upper Thames. The Upper reaches of the Thames are enchanting and captivating, a fitting backdrop for your Corporate Event. Sailing from Caversham Pier in Reading, passing open countryside, historic villages, and stunning…
Reading Abbey Ruins

Address

Abbey Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BA

Telephone
0118 937 3400

READING

Explore 900 years of history in Reading Abbey Quarter including the burial place of King Henry I, Jane Austen's schoolroom and Oscar Wilde's Gaol. Notably the Quarter includes Reading Museum, St. James' Church, St Laurence's Church, the Forbury…
Venue Reading

Address

Venue Reading, Whiteknights, READING, Berkshire, RG6 6UR

READING

Situated just outside of Reading town centre, Venue Reading is located on the University of Reading, Whiteknights campus and is in a prime location for the South East of England with excellent transport links. Reading Buses even come through the…
Walking.Holiday - St James' Way

Address

St James' Church, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3FD

Telephone
07889 654979

camino.ingles@walking.holiday

Reading

We are a local walking holiday company who offer four to seven day self-guided walking itineraries along the St James' Way from Reading to Southampton. Our packages include B&B accommodation, daily baggage transfers, transport to and from…
Thames River Cruise

Address

Caversham Pier, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8BD

Telephone
01189 481088

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

READING

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…
Home Fragrance Store

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

READING

The Home Fragrance Store has become the most recognised name in the candle business and offers a large and compelling selection of scented candles, bath bombs and home fragrances. They have a range of Yankee Candle's on offer, which capture every…
ProCook

Address

The Oracle Centre, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AH

Telephone
0118 370 2088

Reading

We’re ProCook, UK’s leading specialist kitchenware retailer. For over 29 years, we’ve been helping cooks like you bring more to the table – more flavour, easier prep and more meals to remember. From premium cookware to award-winning electricals and…
Gail's Bakery

Address

Broad Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2BD

reading@gailsbread.co.uk

READING

Newly opened in October 2022, Gail's bake fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cakes every day, served with our carefully-sourced house blend specialty coffee. We take great pleasure in using the best ingredients we can find for food and drink,…
Best Western Calcot Hotel

Address

98 Bath Road, Calcot, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 7QN

Telephone
0118 9416423

gm@calcothotel.co.uk

Reading

A home away from home near Reading. Whatever your reason for staying at the Best Western Calcot Hotel, you're guaranteed a comfortable place to lay your head, let the Calcot Hotel be your home away from home during your trip. Best Western Calcot…
571 Oxford Road Gallery

Address

571 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 1HW

Reading

571 Oxford Road is new contemporary art gallery based in Reading, England. The gallery is part of Open Hand Open Space (OHOS). OHOS is an artist-led centre that fosters excellence in contemporary art and provides affordable studio and exhibition…
Escape Hunt Reading

Address

Kings Walk, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HG

Telephone
0118 950 5222

reading@escapehunt.com

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…
Double-Barrelled Brewery

Address

Unit 20 Stadium Way, Tilehurst, READING, Berkshire, RG30 6BX

Telephone
0118 942 8390

READING

You can visit us on Fridays and Saturdays at our on-site taproom, where we serve a wide variety of beers direct from our warehouse cold store, where our beer is continuously stored between 4-5 degrees, keeping it in the best condition possible for…
The Bag Shop

Address

41 Market Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2DG

Telephone
0118 959 9959

Reading

Looking for a stunning and durable bag for work or leisure? For a wide choice of bags in Reading pop into The Bag Shop!
The Coconut Tree

Address

64 Kings Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BJ

READING

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…
Sonning Golf Club

Address

Duffield Road, Sonning, READING, Berkshire, RG4 6GJ

Telephone
0118 969 3332

READING

Sonning’s original layout was designed by JH Taylor with later input from Harry Colt. The course measures 6,329 yards and has a par of 70 and a SSS of 71. It generally plays longer than its yardage due to the elevation of several greens and fairways…
IKEA

Address

Pincents Kiln, Calcot, READING, Berkshire, RG31 7SD

READING

Scandinavian chain selling ready-to-assemble furniture, plus housewares, in a warehouse-like space.
The Reading Room - The Roseate Reading

Address

26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJ

Telephone
0118 952 7770

reception.TFLR@roseatehotels.com

Reading

A luxury hotel that oozes elegance, conveniently located in the centre of Reading. This award-winning hotel is minutes walking distance from the Reading station, with journeys as short as 22 minutes to Paddington. Perfect for a weekend escape to…
Skechers

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Skechers is the comfort technology company, where you’ll find the best selection of lifestyle and performance footwear for men, women and kids. Choose from countless options including the latest athletic, casual and fashion sneakers as well as…
Blue Collar Corner

Address

Hosier Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2LN

READING

In March 2022, we turned this derelict and abandoned yard into Blue Collar Corner - Reading’s newest independent venue and our first permanent site. Featuring 1 bar, 2 floors & 4 kitchens, a huge beer garden in the Summer and with cover in the…
Greys Court

Address

Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 4PG

HENLEY-ON-THAMES

From a picturesque 16th-century mansion to a 20th century intimate family home. The house exudes a welcoming atmosphere with a well-stocked kitchen and homely living rooms. The series of walled gardens are a colourful patchwork of interest set amid…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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