A city that is best known for its alternative music festival, this modern yet charming town has a lot to offer for any visitor. Reading is steeped in history and culture, with a wide range of activities for all the family to enjoy, whatever time of year you visit.
Train tickets to Reading
Visiting Reading with CrossCountry is simple, with a number of services ready to take you to the County Town of Berkshire. As far south as Bournemouth and as far north as York, CrossCountry has a number of direct services that can get you to Reading in comfort.
We recommend booking your ticket in advance in order to avoid disappointment and to get the right price for you. It is also worthwhile checking to see if you are eligible for a Railcard, which provides further savings on top of booking your ticket in advance.
Experience Reading
Places to eat in Reading
There are plenty of exciting restaurants all across Reading, with a wide range of cuisines which make it a culinary hub of Berkshire.
One hugely popular restaurant is the Coconut Bar & Kitchen. This restaurant is the ideal spot for anyone craving some popular Southeast Asian dishes, as the Coconut Bar & Kitchen specialises in a whole host of dishes from this region. There are also a number of vegan and vegetarian alternatives to a majority of the dishes, ensuring that lots of different dietary requirements are catered for.
Buenasado is an Argentine Steakhouse that is heaven for any meat eater. Their selection of not only prime cuts of beef but lamb, pork, and chicken make up for some delectable sharing platters. One of their slogans is “dine like an Argentine”, and their emphasis on sharing is a huge part of that. Dining here isn’t just delicious, it is an experience to be enjoyed with your friends and family.
Places to stay in Reading
There is an abundance of hotels and B&Bs dotted throughout Reading, meaning you won’t be short of both quaint and lavish accommodation to suit your preferences.
The convenience and unique backstory of the Malmaison Reading make this one of the most interesting places to stay during your time in the town. This former train-house is of course located just outside of the train station, providing convenience for all guests. There are a variety of rooms available for larger families as well as solo travellers, as well as their own Brasserie, that is popular in its own right.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in the heart of the town, The Roseate might just be the answer. This decadent boutique townhouse hotel prides itself on its presentation and attention to detail, which is noticeable as soon as you walk up their red-carpeted stairs and through their grand doors. With a selection of fifty-five rooms on offer, there is sure to be one to suit every guest’s style.
Please note: CrossCountry is unable to support with any hotel related queries or booking requests. For further information, please contact the hotels mentioned directly.
Culture and heritage in Reading
Though Reading is a smaller city, it still has a prominent cultural footprint. From stately homes to museums and galleries, visitors won’t run out of places of interest to visit in Reading.
Caversham Court Gardens is a hidden gem which is less than a twenty-minute bus ride from the centre of Reading. The gardens are situated on the bank on the River Thames and is a luscious area to visit ideally in the summer, as you can see flowers in the gardens fully in bloom. Their lavender bank is a highlight of the gardens, which provides a vibrant burst of colour that lights the area and adds a special ambiance for many family picnics.
The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) is an extensive museum that highlights the importance of rural life and farming not only in Reading, but the rest of England too. This museum is run by the University of Reading which shows due to its focus on educating each and every visitor on the integral part farming plays in our day to day lives.
Shopping in Reading
Reading is known as a shopping hotspot for many people in and around the Berkshire area, as well as visitors from further afield. The mixture of grand shopping centres and independent shops gives visitors a chance to find exactly what they’re looking for.
The Oracle has everything shoppers could wish for all under one roof. With over eighty shops, a cinema, and countless restaurants and cafes too, there is plenty to keep visitors entertained for an entire day in The Oracle.
Reading is also host to a growing hub of a wide range of independent shops sprinkled across the Town Centre and beyond. From Sheabutter Cottage that is a family run fair trade shop selling a variety of handmade products, to 7 Flowers & Tea, which lets visitors create their own bouquets while sipping on their famous tea, there is still plenty to see beyond the well-known high-street brands.
