Things to Do in Reading

“The city of Reading, Berkshire, in the south of England, lies on the Great West Way railway. It’s a great place to base yourself to explore the city or the surrounding areas. Here are the best things to do in Reading!

The Best Things to Do in Reading
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See the ‘Bayeaux Tapestry’ at the Reading Museum
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First on our list of things to do in Reading is a visit to the Reading Museum.

The museum is home to the Bayeux Tapestry which depicts the events of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.

Although it’s not the real one (that lives in the Museum of Bayeux in Normandy) but it is an impressive 70-metre copy dating back to Victorian times, embroidered by 35 seamstresses in 1885.

Visit the Reading Abbey Quarter
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This 900-hundred-year-old abbey was once the sight to behold. For years it lay in ruins, but after a refurbishment it re-opened in 2018. The Reading Abbey Quarter also consists of the Reading Museum,

Now you can learn about the history of the city and they hold regular events at the abbey including theatre, workshops and every Wednesday lunchtime, they hold a street food market in Forbury Gardens.

Go to a Football Match
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Whilst you’re in town, why not take a trip to see Reading Football Club?

The team currently play in the English Premier League which means that if you get tickets for a match, you may also get to see another of the Premiership giants in action too.

See a Show at The Hexagon
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The Hexagon is Reading’s premier entertainment venue.

Here you can catch all kinds of shows from theatre, to dance, to comedy including big name stars such as Alan Carr and Russell Howard.

Walk the Thames Path
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Reading is home to part of the famous Thames Path, a 180-mile trail along the River Thames from Southeast London, all the way to Gloucestershire in Southwest England.

Enjoy a relaxing walk along the river and watch the world go by.

Visit the Silchester Roman City Walls & Ampitheatre
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Ten miles outside of the city, in the adjacent county of Hampshire, you will find the Silchester Roman City Walls, a fascinating place, especially for history buffs.

This historic site is one of the best preserved Roman remains in the UK.

Party at the Reading Festival
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Every year, the city welcomes thousands of revellers to the Reading Festival.

The festival is known as being one of the biggest and best music festival sin the UK and attracts a large crowd and an exciting array of headliners, including Liam Gallagher, Stormzy, and Rage Against the Machine.

The festival takes place over three days and you can either buy a full weekend or daily pass. Just make sure to book your Reading hotel early, as they can book up quickly!

Traverse the Kennet & Avon Canal
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If you’re looking for a fun day out, why not take a trip to the Kennet & Avon Canal. Here you can walk, cycle and canoe and see the ducks, geese, and swans.

Visit the Museum of English Rural Life
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Learn about the UK’s farming industry at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL).

Here you can see how farming has developed over the years and there are 12 interesting galleries depicting the history of British farming, food, and the countryside.

There’s also a garden to explore as well as a shop and café. They hold regular holiday clubs, family events, and activities for both adults and children.

Take a Trip to Basildon Park
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Just outside of the city lies beautiful Basildon Park, a UK National Trust country estate.

The park is a pleasant place to spend a few hours and admiring the architecture and walk in the gardens which are especially beautiful during spring, summer and autumn, when the park blooms and becomes awash with colour.

Have you been to Reading, or would you like to go? Make sure to check out our Explore by Expedia homepage for more travel inspiration!”