Mar
Things to do in Reading Town Centre
In Reading, there are many attractions to see, and on a typical day, it is filled with opportunities to take part in! One sunny morning, you could wake up and decide you want to go on a stunning boat trip along the Thames, with so many options available to you.
Reading is also home to a plethora of history. Just a four minute walk away from one of our serviced apartments (100 Kings Road) is Reading Abbey Ruins, where you can explore 900 years of history, including the burial place of King Henry I. Then, only a couple minutes’ walk from there is Forbury Gardens, a delightful Victorian town garden that has recently been restored. The garden provides a gorgeous place to relax and also has kiosks that serve coffee, light lunches, and even ice cream for a sweet treat.
If you are looking for a place to unwind and decompress, then Thames Lido Pool & Spa is perfect. It’s an urban retreat located in the heart of Reading. There is a heated outdoor pool, as well as saunas and a hot tub within the spa. Finally, to finish off your experience, the spa offers massages to reach peak relaxation.
If an evening experience is more your thing, then Reading still has plenty to offer, whether that be pubs and restaurants or a cocktail club. Just a 10 minute drive away or a 25 minute walk from our flagship Reading aparthotel, 100 Kings Road, or a 9 minute drive/17 minute walk from City Wall House, is the Phantom Brewing Co a craft beer brewery. They also hold events, a previous one being a dark beer and brownie tasting event.
Furthering the evening experiences in Reading town centre, Siren Craft Brew have revealed plans to open a new location at Station Hill, Reading. The craft taproom and restaurant are aiming to be opened in May of 2024 and will be a large hotspot for beer enthusiasts. On top of that to further the customer experience there will also be outdoor seating, perfect for those Summer months. The taproom will host more than 30 lines of beer including local options and options from all over the globe. This is definitely one to check out once it has opened!
Reading tourist attractions
We are pleased to share some links to other Reading attractions you may wish to explore when visiting:
- Reading Museum
- Reading Abbey Ruins
- Reading FC / Select Car Leasing Stadium
- Ascot Racecourse
- The Hexagon
- Windsor Castle
- The Oracle shopping centre
- The River Thames boat trips
Reading Museum of English Rural Life
The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) is a part of the University of Reading and works with the Reading Museum in order to help the Reading MERL stay free for visitors.
The MERL delves deep into the history of the English countryside and the people who used to live within it. The museum, as previously mentioned, is free to visit and is one of the most popular/best things to do in Reading. Perfect for a family day out or just to explore by yourself, there are galleries to explore and collections to study, as well as a cafe and garden to relax and refresh in, and finally, a shop to obtain a small token to remember your time there!
The MERL also has events planned throughout the year. To see what’s on next, have a look at their website here – https://merl.reading.ac.uk/
