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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Loddon Brewery

Address

Church Lane, Dunsden, READING, Berkshire, RG4 9QD

Telephone
0118 948 1111

READING

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…
Harris Arcade

Address

Harris Arcade, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DN

READING

Harris Shopping Arcade is an original Art Deco gem hidden away near the town center in Reading.
Full of Unique & Independent shops, take a slow wander through and see what we have to offer !
Tasty Greek Souvlaki

Address

20 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2EG

Reading

Relaxed restaurant featuring souvlaki, gyros & other Greek classics, plus grilled options & drinks.
Siren Tap Yard Finchampstead

Address

18 Alberto House, Marino Way, Finchampstead, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 4RF

WOKINGHAM

Siren Craft Brew was born in 2013 with a simple idea in mind: to introduce exciting, full-ﬂavoured and forward-thinking beers to as many people as possible. There are now six Sirens of Siren Craft Brew. These Sirens characterise our flagship beers.…
Boots - The Oracle

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AH

Telephone
0118 958 7529

Reading

Shop our extensive range of health and beauty products from leading brands, fragrances for her and him, gift sets and much more.
Harris Gardens

Address

University of Reading, Whiteknights campus, READING, Berkshire, RG6 6UR

READING

The Harris Garden provides an important amenity for all, giving pleasure to an increasing number of visitors, staff and students. It provides facilities for teaching, conservation and recreation.
Jacobs the Jewellers

Address

25 King Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HE

Telephone
0118 959 0790

connect@jacobsthejewellers.com

READING

Family owned trusted independent jewellery shop selling expertly made new jewellery, antique pieces with on site jewellery repairs, valuations and design.
Perrys Caribbean Cuisine

Address

7 High Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2EA

Telephone
0118 959 4001

muranje@aol.com

Reading

Perry’s is a fantastic Caribbean restaurant in the centre of Reading! It has a varied menu and the option to take away....
Superdry

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 951 0064

Reading

Fashion chain for men & women blending vintage Americana with Japanese & British inspirations.
Cote Brasserie

Address

9 The Riverside, Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 959 1180

reading@cote-restaurants.co.uk

Reading

Located on the Riverside, Côte Brasserie is open daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Inspired by new trends in Paris, it offers a consistently good menu and prompt service.
Castle Fine Art

Address

5 Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Telephone
0118 959 0300

reading@castlegalleries.com

Reading

Specialising in fine art, the gallery is known far and wide for having 'the best complimentary coffee' for miles.
Blagrave Rooms

Address

7 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PJ

Telephone
07966 263 843

bookings@blagraverooms.co.uk

Reading
Vue Cinema

Address

Riverside, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0345 308 4620

Reading

All the latest mainstream movies are shown at this state-of-the-art chain cinema with family deals.
Black Sheep Coffee - Broad Street

Address

60 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AF

Reading

Founded by Eirik and Gabe, university flatmates who quit their job to leave the herd behind and embark on an exciting coffee journey. Striving not only to rid the world of boring coffee but to do this sustainability and ethically. Our coffee is…
Yours

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
01189 574095

READING

Your best loved plus size clothing brand, shop sizes 16 – 36. Yours Clothing believe that all women should look and feel great, regardless of their dress size. Fabulous ladies curve fashion does not end at a size 14, and we’re the proof! The UK’s…
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…
Broad Street Mall

Address

Broad Street, Reading, RG1 7QE

Reading

Broad Street Mall is a shopping centre based in the heart of Reading. The mall has a unique mix of big brand and independent retail and lifestyle brands such as TK Maxx, Wilko, Poundland, Holland and Barrett, Grape Tree, Home Fragrance, F Hinds and…
Beam Wellbeing

Address

Westfield Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8HH

Reading

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…
Browns

Address

Unit 5A, The Oracle Riverside, Reading, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 950 3137

Reading

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...
The Cocktail Club

Address

5-6 Gun Street, Reading, RG1 2JR

Reading

Reading, are you ready for the biggest cocktail party to arrive in town? Arriving Soon, The Cocktail Club will land on Gun Street and we cannot wait to get the party started with you. Want to be part of the launch weekend madness? Bookings are now…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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