Reading

Travel Guide
Reading featuring night scenes
A idyllic, historic place with peaceful parks and abbey ruins, this Berkshire town transforms when its famous music festival kicks off each August.

With a fascinating past told through the remnants of religious treasures, Reading is one of England’s most historically important towns. It stands in the heart of the rolling green countryside of Berkshire. Wander through the town center on foot and gaze up at the range of structures that showcase the changing faces of the town. See another side of the town during the Reading Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in England, held in August.

Wander along the labyrinth of paths crisscrossing through Forbury Gardens in the town center. Inspect the impressive Maiwand Lion battle monument and climb to the peak of Forbury Hill for panoramic views of the greenery.

On the eastern side of the park lies the Reading Abbey Ruins, comprising well-preserved ramparts of a religious behemoth. Pass through the arches and portals of the surviving walls and attend a Shakespeare production here in summer.

Enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Kennet & Avon Canal, which passes beside the gardens and ruins. Rent a boat and travel along the waterway to the bucolic outskirts of Berkshire. Back in town, the canal runs through the Oracle shopping center. Watch a film in the mall’s large movie theater and browse the array of shops and restaurants.

Get a sense of the local community with trips to the historic churches of Reading. The St. Laurence Church, which has a Norman frontage and dates back to the 12th century, now contains pool tables and puts on activities for its youth club. Marvel at the Gothic façade of the Minster Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the town’s oldest religious building.

The town stands between the important cities of Bristol, Oxford and London in southern England. Fly to one of the airports in London central London is 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Reading. Drive between the two cities in 60 to 90 minutes or take a 30-minute train. Visit other historic towns in the region, such as Bath, Winchester and Windsor.

Where to stay in Reading

Kennet & Avon Canal showing a bridge and a river or creek

Reading City Centre

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Reading City Centre is popular for its lively bars, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Reading Museum and Town Hall or Reading Abbey Ruins.

Reading City Centre
easyHotel Reading
easyHotel Reading
3 out of 5
132-138 Caversham Road, Reading, England
The price is ¥5,481 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
¥5,481
per night
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.4/10 Good! (669 reviews)
great neat little room, £63.48
"Clean small room. shower, toilet , sink all clean. place to hang clothes. Neat. Soft bed, but comfy. Windows don't open. Blind for the windows. Sockets for phones by the bed. Storage for case under the bed. Free water to fill bottle at reception. plastic card key. Quiet in mornings, I did not hear ..."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

easyHotel Reading
pentahotel Reading
pentahotel Reading
4 out of 5
Oxford Road, Reading, England
The price is ¥10,144 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
¥10,144
per night
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

pentahotel Reading
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 out of 5
39 Christchurch Road, Reading, England
The price is ¥5,569 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥5,569
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this hotel in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"This is a value for money spot as you have a microwave and refrigerator so can be quite independent. Parking is great and the accommodation was clean and spacious. Ideal"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2024

Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
SACO Reading - Castle Crescent
SACO Reading - Castle Crescent
4 out of 5
2-12 Castle Crescent, Reading, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a flat-screen TV. Popular attractions Nirvana Spa and Hexagon are located nearby. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (97 reviews)
"This is a brilliant location and the apartment is large and comfortable"

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2024

SACO Reading - Castle Crescent
City Wall House by House of Fisher
City Wall House by House of Fisher
4 out of 5
26 West Street, Reading, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nirvana Spa and Broad ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (56 reviews)
"Perfect for a home away from home feel. Close to everything, comfortable, clean."

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2024

City Wall House by House of Fisher
100 Kings Road by House of Fisher
100 Kings Road by House of Fisher
4 out of 5
100 Kings Road, Reading, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Nirvana Spa and Reading Abbey Ruins ...
9/10 Wonderful! (103 reviews)
"Perfect location in Reading. Short walk to the town center, shopping, dining and the train station. The apartment was nice but was in need of some maintenance. Definitely above average compared to other locations at the same price."

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2024

100 Kings Road by House of Fisher
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Reading

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
17
" "5 - Excellent 41.46341463414634%
4 - Good
20
" "4 - Good 48.78048780487805%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 9.75609756097561%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 26, 2020

I used to visit Reading as a child visiting my Grandfather. The Abbey ruins always fascinating me and I was pleased to see them open again. Most of the pubs I visited were excellent. The town is very multicultural now which was good to see.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 18, 2020

I absolutely love Reading! Everything is within walking distance and the Reading bus system is super convenient. The shopping, pubs, and restaurants were friendly and affordable. Everyone was very friendly. We will be visiting again.

5/5 - Excellent

Matt
Dec 14, 2019

Lovely place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Sep 14, 2019

I enjoyed Reading.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Aug 26, 2019

I would like to come back into the area. There is so Mapuche to do and see we didn’t get a chance.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 26, 2019

Transportation is easy to understand; prepare for the shift in weather at all times; good restaurants - Sweeney & Todd; Creams (desserts) ; Carluccio's is fantastic; loved the riverside (Mission Burrito) and shopping; Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens

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