Reading Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kennet & Avon Canal which includes a river or creek
Reading featuring night scenes
Reading showing night scenes and street scenes as well as a couple
Reading featuring autumn leaves, heritage elements and a park
Reading

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 which includes a bridge and a river or creek

Reading City Centre

4/5(193 area reviews)

Reading City Centre is known for its great bars, and you can make a stop by Reading Museum and Town Hall and Oracle while in the area.

Reading City Centre
pentahotel Reading
pentahotel Reading
4 out of 5
Oxford Road, Reading, England
The price is £84 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£84
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Reading. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Cleanliness"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

pentahotel Reading
ibis Reading Centre
ibis Reading Centre
3 out of 5
25A Friar Street, Reading, England
The price is £28 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£28
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Reading. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Room was comfy and quiet. Breakfast was of good value and quality. Would recommend if you want cheaper accomodation and a very quick train journey into London without London prices."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

ibis Reading Centre
Holiday Inn Reading South M4 Jct11 by IHG
Holiday Inn Reading South M4 Jct11 by IHG
4 out of 5
Basingstoke Road, Reading, England
The price is £56 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£56
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Reading. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Stylish and Convenient Stay – Highly Recommended! This is a modern and stylish hotel located just steps from the metro, making it incredibly convenient for getting around the city. The rooms are spacious, clean, and well-equipped with everything you might need. The staff were exceptionally friendly ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Reading South M4 Jct11 by IHG
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.
PREMIER SUITES Reading
PREMIER SUITES Reading
4 out of 5
Minster Court, Minster Street, Reading, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Reading. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free bicycles on-site and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Nirvana Spa and Minster Church ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (141 reviews)
Good location
"Superb communication prior to stay - Alena as usual was superb"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

PREMIER SUITES Reading
SACO Reading - Castle Crescent
SACO Reading - Castle Crescent
4 out of 5
2-12 Castle Crescent, Reading, England
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Reading. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nirvana Spa and Hexagon ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (127 reviews)
"Nice clean apartment and very friendly staff"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

SACO Reading - Castle Crescent
Malthouse Court
Malthouse Court
3.5 out of 5
118 Chatham Street, Reading, England
Stay at this 3.5-star property in Reading. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, parking (surcharge) and a computer station. Popular attractions Nirvana Spa and Hexagon are ...
Very pleasant stay, highly recommend !
"We had a very pleasant stay, highly recommend, great location, spotlessly clean, loved the special little touches, tea, coffee, biscuits, cereal and even milk and cold water in the fridge. The kitchen was well equipped, extremely impressed, cooked meals and had everything I needed. Communication ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2024

Malthouse Court
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

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
80
5 - Excellent 22%
4 - Good
179
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
90
3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
9
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Can't fault it, excellent, customer friendly staff

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

The traffic system is so complicated . I will think twice about driving in Reading again.I parked outside the hotel for half an hour to check in and got a ticket ! Not used to paid on street parking and thought it was 2 hrs free parking !! Spoilt it

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Friendly town

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nice parks and good food. Easy to commute to London.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

My reason for using the hotel was not to visit Reading.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very good amenities

Cities near Reading