Top 10 things to do in Reading
I received an email from a Seattle-based expat asking for top 10 tips for a newcomer to Reading. So here are my personal suggestions:
- Visit Forbury Gardens, dominated by the famous Maiwand Lion statue. From the park, you can easily walk to the now ruined Reading Abbey, founded in the 12th century by Henry I (who, I think, is buried in the area). Also check out the nearby luxury Forbury Hotel.
- Watch Reading FC play at the Madejski stadium (cheer them on - they need it at the moment). The local football team are, for only the second time in their long history (the club was founded in 1871), playing in the country’s elite league. Actress Kate Winslet is said to be a fan of Reading FC. Let’s hope they don’t sink like the Titanic.
- Visit Reading Museum, where you can learn about the history of the town, including the birth of a biscuit empire (Huntley & Palmer’s). Admission is free.
- Cruise the Thames on the Caversham Princess. The departure point is close to Caversham Bridge, where you can also feed the many swans that congregate in the area.
- Reading is recognised internationally for its festivals. The town really comes alive in August (Reading Festival) and the Reading Beer and Cider Festival is a barrel-load of fun in May. Other than these major festivals, there are many smaller events running throughout the year.
- If shopping’s your thing, Reading’s Victorian architecture can be admired while visiting Broad Street’s high street shops. More interesting units can be found in Harris Arcade and “Smelly Alley”, so called because it pongs (but don’t let that put you off). The Oracle is probably Reading’s biggest retail draw. Every major town has at least one Oracle-size shopping centre. This mall offers the River Kennet and its colourful barges, and a glimpse of the mysterious, weed-ridden Holy Brook. The Holy Brook is a mostly underground stream that supplied water to Reading Abbey (founded in 1121).
- Tummy grumbling? Avoid the big chains. Instead, try a home-made pie at Sweeney & Todd, named after the legendary 19th century serial killer. There are many fillings to choose from, some less traditional than others, and you can enjoy your pie with a pint of ale. Alternatively, eat at Chronicles, a cellar bar and restaurant formerly occupied by the Reading Chronicle. A third great option is a pub called The Griffin, reached from Reading by crossing the Thames into Caversham. If you fancy something a bit more exotic, Taste of Malaysia and Tutu’s Table (Ethiopian), at the Global Cafe, are superb, and if you eat vegetarian food only, then I recommend Cafe Iguana.
- Flagging? Time for a coffee! In Reading, there is a coffee-shop glut (you will find them everywhere: in bookshops, arcades, department stores and street corners). Again, avoid the big chains. Instead, enjoy a cup of ethical coffee at Picnic, a place that feels warm and homely. Excellent coffee can also be had a little further away from the town centre, at Workhouse Coffee. I also recommend Tutu’s Table (Ethiopian) once more: coffee was discovered in Ethiopia, after all, and there you can try coffee prepared in the original way, before machines with more nozzles than the Space Shuttle were invented.
- Reading, like any large town, has a busy nightlife. Avoid the heaving chain bars of Friar Street. Instead, try local pubs with a more unique flavour: the tucked-away, award-winning Retreat, highly regarded for its cider, and The Hobgoblin, a traditional pub with a good range of ales and a bewildering collection of beermats (warning: mobile phone use in the pub is strictly forbidden). Pubs aside, Bar Iguana is a small and absolutely cracking venue worth visiting for the music alone: reggae/drum and bass with live vocals. For a more swanky experience, try classy cocktail bar Mix and the tres chic Cerise (Forbury Hotel). If you’ve just stepped off the train, head straight to the luxury Malmaison across the road from the station for a more relaxing drink. Three other venues are also worth mentioning: Zero Degrees, for producing its own award-winning beer, the Purple Turtle for its cosmopolitan crowd and late-night drinks, and The Blagrave Arms, as it was taken over by a mate of mine.
- And finally, leave town. Eh? Yes, that’s right - get outta town! One of the best things about Reading is its location. It’s surrounded by gorgeous countryside. Head North into the hills (officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), where you can find fantastic country pubs serving great food and quality beer. Around Reading, there are a number of towns and villages worth visiting for their charm and history, such as Pangbourne, Goring, Sonning and Henley along the Thames river.
What would your top 10 tips be?
Is there a fabulous cheese-shop in town?
Sweet cheese-us! I’m not aware of any. County Delicacies is pretty good and I’m sure there are other shops with interesting cheeses. I’d say that London offers the best cheese shops (Neal’s Yard Dairy, for example, and Whole Foods Market).
Great article! Sounds bizarre, but does anyone know of a creative writing club/group in Reading? I am moving to the area and am keen to continue this hobby and make friends. Any ideas?
This is bloody terrible……
Get a life
Bloody terrible..
*cosmopolitan crowd in the purple turtle my arse.
You’re rubbish
natalie, are you special?
The turtle is one of the friendliest pubs in Reading!
I just made a list of my top places in Googlemaps! It seems we like a lot of the same places.
Thanks for putting this together, I will send it to people who ask me what there is to do in Reading.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104804964147798493347.00045b1c30bea9e5ea505&z=14
Reading is shit
it seems the ones who denigrate the town are mostly the ones to remain anonymous - if you hate the town that much why are you still resident within the borough?
I’m an Alien, Wheres Reading
is he really called wankalot? if so, what is his most favourite pasttime? I think we should be told.
Re: Reading top ten. I thought you would place “Cruising” at number one - not just number four!!! LOL
A culture is only as good as it’s art. Is there any art in Reading?
Reading is a town which is as attractive as turd on a stick!
The residents like to blame its ugliness on the bombings during the war! This was like 60 years ago, No Excuses!
However there are a few nice places and thank the lord that it has good transport links to London.
Hi ANon e-mouse, yes, there is art in Reading! Here are some examples of local venues where you can find it:
- Jelly, displaying works from local artists: http://thejelly.wordpress.com/about/a-little-bit-about-us/
- Moondog Art Stop Cafe, a coffee shop and art gallery: moondogcafe.co.uk
- Global Cafe: http://www.risc.org.uk/arts/
- South Street Arts Centre (performing arts): http://www.readingarts.com/southstreet/
- Rising Sun Arts Centre: http://www.risingsun-artscentre.co.uk/
There is also street art, and art can be studied at local institutions such as the University of Reading.
We will be providing updates on the Reading arts scene very soon
Hi Anonymous, several days ago, I was in Bangkok. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing city in the world (there is a lot of concrete). But what a cracking place!
I think what makes the Thai capital special is a couple of things, mainly: fascinating attractions such as markets and temples “hidden” deep within the concrete quagmire, and the city’s residents (who make Bangkok buzz).
Like Bangkok, Reading is not wholly pleasing to the eye (the concrete IDR is very ugly, for example). But look deeper and you will find pockets of beauty such as the Forbury Gardens and The Forbury Hotel, the pretty St Mary’s Church and the calming waters of the Thames by Caversham Bridge.
We’re fortunate in having good transport links to London (itself not entirely attractive, let’s be honest), agreed.
Matt and team,I believe you moderate your comments, many of the comments on this post are shallow insults lacking informational or entertainment value. I would love you to not-publish them, use your moderation to delete comments like ‘Reading is shit’. These people can publish on their own forums rather than yours