Explore Reading

Located in the town centre next to the town hall, Reading Museum is home to collections of art, archaeology, natural history and the history of Reading. The museum is home to almost 500,000 objects. Admission is free to the museum's collections. The Reading Museum is open Monday to Saturday and is closed on bank holidays and Sundays. Always check before your visit.

• Find out more about what's on at Reading Museum

The Museum of English Rural Life explores the history of the English countryside and the communities that have lived there. The museum is free to visit and is open Tuesday-Sunday.

• Find out more about the Museum of English Rural Life

The beautiful Reading Abbey Ruins reveal the south transept, the chapter house, the treasury, the dormitory and the refectory. During your visit, there is information around the abbey explaining the use of each room by the community of monks that once lived there. The abbey is open from dawn to dusk every day but is sometimes closed for private events. Always check before you visit.

• Find out more about the Reading Abbey Ruins

Reading Gaol was once home to the famous author Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned in 1895 for homosexuality (which was illegal at the time). Unfortunately, the prison isn't currently open to visitors but Reading Borough Council are attempting to buy the prison and turn it into an arts and culture hub. However, it is still worth a visit because, on the night of 28th February 2021, graffiti artist Banksy painted a mural on the side of the prison featuring an escaping inmate and a typewriter.

• Find out more about Reading Gaol

• Shaped like an elongated hexagon, this multipurpose theatre and art venue hosts an eclectic range of entertainers including big name comedy, musicals, classical concerts, opera, pantomime, drama and dance. 
• Find out more information on The Hexagon

• Located in the heart of Reading, South Street Art Centre presents a mixed bill of performing arts, including theatre, comedy, music and live literature from professional and community companies.
• Find out more about South Street Art Centre

• Centrally located, the Concert Hall has a varied programme of classical music, organ recitals, blues, jazz, folk, acoustic pop and rock, stand-up comedy and lectures to suit all tastes.
• Find out more information on The Concert Hall website

Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend. Since the festival began in 1961, it has been headlined by legendary artists from across the world including Nirvana, Björk and Kendrick Lamar.

• Find out more about the Reading Festival

Sub89 is located on Friar Street and opened in 2009, with live music events a few times every week. Some of the acts to feature are Chase and Status, Gary Numan, Hybrid Minds, Bad Manners, Napalm Death, Subfocus, DJ Fresh, Buzzcocks, New Model Army, Adam Ant, Ed Sheeran, Skindred and Snoop Dogg.

• Find out more about what's on at Sub89

The Oracle is in the centre of Reading and comprises of a large indoor shopping centre and outdoor riverside area where you can find all your favourite restaurants and cafes. The Oracle is open every day but always check opening times before you visit.

• Find out more about the Oracle

Broad Street Mall has another selection of shops and cafes and is situated on Oxford Road near the Hexagon Theatre. The mall is open every day but always check opening hours before your visit.

• Find out more about Broad Street Mall

For a more unique shopping experience with small boutiques and charity shops, head to Caversham, which is north of Reading centre and over the River Thames.

Reading Football Club currently play in EFL League One, the third tier of English football. The club play their home fixtures at the Madejski Stadium.

• Find out more about Reading FC

Reading Rockets was founded in 1997 and has achieved huge success with its senior, junior, academy and community development programmes and is now privileged to run the AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) programme. Rockets is now one of the most successful basketball clubs in England and established its Rockets Sport and Educational Foundation charity in 2012. It has gained Sport England’s kitemark ‘ClubMark’ and England Basketball’s 4 star accreditation. The heart of the Rockets club is passion, vision, quality, motivation and commitment – unified with family values and standards.

• Find out more about Reading Rockets basketball team

Reading is home to a large indoor bouldering and climbing centre with over 175 top and lead rope routes.

• Find out more about the Reading Climbing centre

Vue Cinema is located on the Oracle riverside

The Purple Turtle bar and club is located on Gun Street. It is split over two levels and has a heated beer garden. There are often student events on here as well as live music of all genres. 

• Find out more about The Purple Turtle

• Traditional pub offering ales, gins and local brews, plus darts and board games.

The Face Bar is situated on the west side of town and hosts live music events throughout the week.

• Find out more about the events at The Face Bar

Oakford Social Club is vibrant entertainment venue providing you with regular live music acts and delicious food.

• Find out more about Oakford Social Club

Specialising in Vietnamese pho, this King's Walk eatery is catering for all diets with a hefty selection of vegan and gluten free fare.

• Find out more about Pho Reading

Alongside a menu of pub classics, the Newtown bar also offers a cracking Sunday roast and bottomless brunch every Saturday.

• Find out more about the Hope & Bear

Market House is much more than just a restaurant. The multi-level venue houses numerous street food outlets in a communal dining space, as well as tasty cocktails and a stunning roof terrace.

• Find out more about Market House

One of the coolest rooftop restaurants in Reading, Thirsty Bear is sure to be packed when the sun is out. Their dinky terrace space is the perfect place to pitch up for pints and steaming slices on a summer's day or spend an evening sipping cocktails on.

• Find out more about Thirsty Bear

Forbury Gardens is near the centre of town and has won a Green Flag Award for being welcoming, safe and well maintained. Featuring a large war memorial called the Maiwand Lion, named after the Battle of Maiwand.

• Find out more about Forbury Gardens

Dinton Pastures is on the east side of Reading and has a long footpath around a large body of water.

• Find out more about Dinton Pastures

There is a popular walk that takes you from the centre of Reading to Henley-on-Thames via Sonning Eye and Shiplake. It is about 10 miles along the river and is mostly flat, making it an easy walk. The route follows the River Thames and passes many canal locks out of the town. To return to Reading afterwards, there is a bus route, or catch a train to Twyford and then a train back to Reading.

Another large green space is Prospect Park, located on the west side of Reading along Bath Road. Prospect Park in on the ground of a former stately home and has a collection of mature trees as well as sports facilities.

• Find out more about Prospect Park