top of page
Search

Reading – A Fun Place for Events of All Kinds


Reading in Berkshire is a large town situated on the Thames and Kennet rivers. It is a vibrant town with a good mix of culture, history and entertainment that is easy to get to and well worth a visit. It offers a good range of accommodation options and has something for everyone.



The town can trace its history back as far as the 8th century, during the Middle Ages. Then, it was an ecclesiastical and trade centre and home to Reading Abbey, the ruins of which are still standing and are well worth a visit. From the Museum of English Rural Life to the Museum of Berkshire Aviation there is plenty to see and do.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover where and when we hold national Magic: The Gathering events. Or check out some of our posts by Magic experts such as:

 

 

But whatever you’re planning to do in Reading, we’ve put together this informative guide to help you get the most out of your stay.



Christchurch Meadow and Christchurch Bridge in Reading, Berkshire


Travelling to Reading

Reading is centrally located in the South of England. With a robust transport network, it prides itself on being one of the best-connected towns in the UK. There are 2 train stations, one of which is in the centre of the town.


Reading is the westernmost terminus of the Elizabeth Line, reachable on direct trains in under an hour from central London. For example, the fastest service from Tottenham Court Road takes only 44 minutes. Or travelling by fast mainline train to Paddington takes just 22 minutes.


Other major cities like Birmingham and Bristol are all just under 2 hours away by train.

Reading is on the M4 motorway and served by junctions 10, 11 and 12. There are no Clean Air Zones (CAZ) or Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) in place and there are several multi-storey car parks to choose from, although parking in the centre of Reading can be expensive for a whole day.


Alternatively, there are Park and Ride facilities at Mereoak (RG7 1PB) and Winnersh Triangle (RG41 5RD) with regular buses into and around the town making it easy to get around.





Accommodation when attending Reading Events

If you are thinking about an overnight stay when attending events in Reading so that you can take in some of the town then you will need local accommodation. There are a good range of accommodation options available in Reading ensuring you will find something to suit your budget. Here are some of our suggestions:


  • Ibis Reading Centre (25A Friar St, Reading RG1 1DP) – Located in the heart of Reading, the hotel is modern and comfortable. It is close to the station making it a convenient choice for those who don’t drive. There is no onsite parking.


  • Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading (39 Christchurch Rd, Reading RG2 7AN) – 1 mile from the centre this hotel is comfortable and offers a good range of room configurations. There is also free onsite parking.


  • Airbnb – For people who want to spend several nights in Reading an Airbnb property is a good cost-effective solution. There are a good range of centrally located options as well as those just outside Reading.


Depending on where you need to get to in Reading there are other well-known hotels like the  Hilton and Crowne Plaza but they are not particularly close to the centre of town.


Restaurants

Reading’s proximity to London means that when it comes to restaurants and other places to eat there is a diverse range of different cuisines on offer. From larger restaurants to hidden tiny gems you may just find that you are spoilt for choice.


  • Coconut Bar and Kitchen, (St Mary’s Butts, Reading RG1 2LG) – A warm and vibrant restaurant serving a wide range of oriental and pan Asian dishes with a very varied menu.

  • Tasty Greek Souvlaki, (Market Place, Reading RG1 2EG) – A small, family run business that uses authentic ingredients to produce incredible dishes that will bring back fond memories of holidays in Greece.

  • London Street Brasserie, (2-4 London St, Reading RG1 4PN) - This is a personal favourite with consistently tasty brasserie-style dishes.

  • Wee Waif, (Old Bath Road Reading RG10 9RJ) – a family friendly pub on the outskirts of Reading. All your favourite pub dishes and plenty of options for those with dietary requirements.


There are also plenty of good restaurants to be found in the centre of Reading if you are looking for something specific like Cote, Nandos, Bella Italia or Osaka.



Museum of Berkshire Aviation

Things to do whilst in Reading

Reading is a lovely town to visit. The Reading Abbey Ruins (RG1 3HW) are the perfect place for an explorer with some gentle walks around the ruins and the surrounding area. Forbury Gardens, which is adjacent to the Abbey, is also a great place to explore.


For aircraft enthusiasts the Museum of Berkshire Aviation (RG5 4UE) is a must-see, based on the site of a former aerodrome it houses a small collection of planes and aviation artefacts.

 

 

Comments

bottom of page