Reading

Travel Guide

Kennet & Avon Canal featuring a river or creek
Reading featuring night scenes
Reading showing street scenes and night scenes as well as a couple
Reading showing heritage elements, autumn leaves and a garden
Reading Museum and Town Hall showing heritage elements, theater scenes and interior views

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 showing a bridge and a river or creek

Reading City Centre

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Reading City Centre is popular for its lively bars, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Reading Museum and Town Hall or Oracle.

Reading City Centre
pentahotel Reading
pentahotel Reading
4 out of 5
Oxford Road, Reading, England
$96 nightly
The price is $115 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$115 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Cleanliness"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

pentahotel Reading
ibis Reading Centre
ibis Reading Centre
3 out of 5
25A Friar Street, Reading, England
$32 nightly
The price is $38 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$38 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Pretty basic, just a suped up student accommodation really but does the basics for a night away. Breakfast was really nice and plentiful!"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 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
$64 nightly
The price is $76 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$76 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Reading. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 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 Jul 3, 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 WiFi, 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 Jun 17, 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 WiFi, 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 Jun 24, 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 ...
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 Oct 6, 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

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
17
5 - Excellent 41%
4 - Good
20
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I used to visit Reading as a child visiting my Grandfather. The Abbey ruins always fascinating me and I was pleased to see them open again. Most of the pubs I visited were excellent. The town is very multicultural now which was good to see.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I absolutely love Reading! Everything is within walking distance and the Reading bus system is super convenient. The shopping, pubs, and restaurants were friendly and affordable. Everyone was very friendly. We will be visiting again.

5/5 - Excellent

Matt

Lovely place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I enjoyed Reading.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I would like to come back into the area. There is so Mapuche to do and see we didn’t get a chance.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Transportation is easy to understand; prepare for the shift in weather at all times; good restaurants - Sweeney & Todd; Creams (desserts) ; Carluccio's is fantastic; loved the riverside (Mission Burrito) and shopping; Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens

Cities near Reading