Accessibility in Reading

Reading welcomes everyone, whatever your background, age or ability. Here is some information to support your accessible visit to Reading.

Accessible Travel

• Reading station is wheelchair accessible with lifts to all floors, a step free entrance with automatic doors (main entrance), ramps and on-site disabled parking in its multi-storey car park. There is a disabled toilet and assistance dogs are welcome. Staff assistance is available for those using trains if booked in advance.

• Reading’s award-winning bus service, Reading Buses, are normally operated by low-floor, wheelchair-accessible buses. All buses have an entrance ramp and many can be lowered to the kerb to allow you easier access to the bus. 

• There is Blue Badge car parking for badge holders at several multi-storey car parks in Reading including Broad Street Mall Car Park, The Oracle Riverside and Holybrook Car Parks and Queens Road Car Park. There are also a number of on-street Blue Badge car parking spaces within the town centre, but these can fill up quickly. For more information on Blue Badge parking in Reading visit the Council’s website.

• Readibus stops at several stops within the town centre. The bus service is for people of all ages who can’t make use of the mainstream bus services in Reading. Offering mobility support for shopping, football and excursions, visit the Readibus website to register and book.

Accessible attractions

Many of Reading’s attractions and things to do are partially or fully accessible. Please check with the venue ahead of your visit to make sure it meets your needs. Here are some town centre attractions which support accessible visits:

• Reading Museum is family-friendly and accessible to all. Please be aware there is a gentle slope down to the reception and the museum shop. The Museum entrance is accessed via a short flight of stairs or by a ramp (with handrails). A lift on the ground floor takes you up to the first and second floors and floor plans are available to download ahead of your visit.

• The Abbey Ruins are accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility issue via a footpath. Please note there is step free access but no hand rail.

• The Riverside Museum display and the Turbine House are accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues. There is step free access to the Riverside Museum and a small ramp with handrail to access the Turbine House. 

• The MERL has a step free entrance with automatic door to the museum and is fully wheelchair-accessible with lifts for all stairs. An adult-sized wheelchair and portable seating is available for loan during your visit. Large print guides for displays are available on request and the museum offers downloadable resources to help prepare you for your visit.

Accessible Shopping

Reading is a largely accessible town, with a flat, pedestrianised centre and car parking is plentiful with easy access to the shops. There are marked disabled bays and Blue Badge parking in the multi-storey car parks as well as on-street parking.

Reading’s shopping centres and department stores have lifts for disabled shoppers and the Oracle runs a Shopmobility Service to support shoppers needing assistance with wheelchairs. The Readibus service also offers shopping support for those who cannot use mainstream bus services.

Accessible walks

Wheelchair and scooter users can find a number of outdoor spaces to enjoy in and around Reading. From its parks and gardens to riverside pathways and surrounding country parks, there are many options to enjoy the outdoors in Reading.

Reading Borough Council information

The Council have information on disabled parking, events and disabled bus passes and much more . Find out more>>>