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LATEST NEWS: READING WATER FEST 2021 - When Reading Abbey was founded 900 years ago by King Henry I of England, it was one of Europe's largest monasteries. In 2018 the Abbey Ruins reopened as part of the £3.15m Reading Abbey Revealed project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
Reading Abbey Ruins will be marking the 900th anniversary of the Abbey's foundation on Saturday 19 June 2021. A series of free events in the Abbey Quarter in conjunction with Reading's WaterFest will see the Abbey Quarter transformed with music stages, open air theatre, historic re-enactments, children's activities and lots of waterside-fun. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked.A range of online activities will also be on offer to complement the live event.
Ask anyone who has visited recently, and they will tell you about the shopping, the restaurants and the nightlife. Talk to someone who has lived here a while and they will praise the beautiful stretches of river, the acres of parkland and ancient woodland.
Reading is surprising in so many ways: Michelin Star restaurants; over eight hundred listed buildings and monuments; boutique hotels; a world-renowned red-brick university; family friendly museums; two National Trails and two great rivers on our doorstep.
Famous as one of the UK’s top ten retail destinations, Reading offers so much more than superb shopping. The Forbury Gardens, is the town’s floral heart, beautifully laid out next to the monumental ruins of Reading Abbey, and the peaceful towpaths of the Kennet and Avon Canal, where you will find Reading Gaol and the Oscar Wilde gates.
There is so much to intrigue and inspire, including mile upon mile of unspoilt Thames frontage, where you can walk, take a cruise, feed the swans or watch elite rowers in training. You can also walk from the Thames along Kennet Mouth to find yourself at Blake’s Lock, where you can see the Riverside Museum and relax in a waterfront restaurant that started life as a Victorian pumping station.
Nothing stands still for long in Reading, and that is as it should be in a town that enjoys a pivotal location in the South East, at the romantic heart of Royal Berkshire. With Heathrow just 30 minutes away, Reading is easy to find from all parts of the world.
10 Things to do In Reading
- Reading Museum - The museum's collections span the famous Roman eagle from Silchester to the capital from Reading Abbey and an amazing collection of Huntley & Palmer biscuit tins. The current exhibition, On Track, celebrates the important place that the railway has played in Reading's history since 1840.
- Visit a Church - Reading's churches include the most complete example of Franciscan architecture in Britain; Pugin's very first church design and the famous Pugin screen.
- Discover more about Greek mythology and life at The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology. Find out how Odysseus escaped the Cyclops cave or study scenes of warriors going into battle. See everyday and extraordinary objects, from the small oil bottles that athletes wore around their wrists to a mask of the terrifying Gorgon Medusa, including a fascinating funerary boat, jewellery, grave offerings and a mummified cat's head.
- Relax in a garden - Caversham Court Gardens on the banks of the Thames is a garden of national importance and listed in the English Heritage 'Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England'. It dates back to the 12th century and was refurbished and re-opened in 2009.
- Go Shopping - Reading offers a mix of independent and high street stores with plenty of choice at The Oracle or Broad Street and the new IKEA.
- Take a boat trip from Caversham Bridge? Thames Rivercruise offers a hop-on-hop-off boat trip from Caversham in Reading to Goring with stops at Mapledurham Lock, Beale Wildlife Park and Goring (with easy access to Streatley). Or book one of their themed trips: Afternoon Tea Cruise, Evening Sundowner Cruise, Sunday Lunch Cruise.
- Visit the Reading Abbey Quarter and learn about its fascinating 900 years of history. The Abbey Quarter covers the former precinct of one of Europe's largest royal monasteries. See Teatime in Wonderland’s review of her visit.
- Walk or Cycle along the Thames Path National Trail to Sonning Lock Tea Rooms (just over 3miles one way) - Reading is a busy, lively place but the route of the Thames Path is surprisingly quiet for it keeps to the north, least urbanised part of the town. Once Reading is left behind, you'll enjoy a landscape of gentle wooded hills, fine houses and, of course, the ever-widening River Thames. From Reading to Sonning cyclists can share the Thames Path but from Sonning, with its lovely 18th century hump-backed bridge, the Trail narrows and is for walkers only. Carry on to the Mill at Sonning, cross over the bridge to Playhatch and then continue on to Dunsden Green for a visit to Loddon Brewery (extra 2.2 miles). The Taproom is open Thu-Sat 10am-6pm and the shop is open Mon-Sat (check times). You can buy Mr Hobbs Gin here as well.
- Visit a hidden gem, Berkshire's dynamic contribution to aviation history is graphically re-captured at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation at the historic site of Woodley Airfield, near Reading - once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry. Miles and Handley Page aircraft built at Woodley are being re-constructed and exhibited along with fascinating pictorial records and priceless archives.
- Reading provides a surprising array of history and heritage including The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), England’s most extensive museum dedicated to farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues.
If you’re inspired to visit Reading and would like to discover its secrets then book a walking tour with Graham Horn, Tours2order. Suitable for individuals or groups. Graham has now developed a series of local heritage online talks including Reading Abbey 900.
Reading UK has produced a pocket map to signpost the best ways to visit the University of Reading or to attend events at the Madejski Stadium, find arts venues, things to do, major retailers and hotels.
What's Nearby
Beale Wildlife Park at Lower Basildon, a Riverside park, home to many difference species of birds as well as goats and ponies. There are also picnic areas and other great facilities for those with small children.
Change to Beale Wildlife Park
Where To Stay
Crowne Plaza Reading East - Exceptional new, fully refurbished, 4 Silver Star hotel with luxurious bedrooms, new 2 AA Rosette Restaurant & Terrace and Bar/Lounge and Esprit Wellness & Spa.
For more of places to stay and things to do in Reading this Spring/Summer Take a look at Reading Spring/Summer breaks .
Events
- 19 June Reading Waterfest
- 11-20 September Heritage Open Days - Online and in-person events will be taking place 11-20 September 2020
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