Shopping

You can shop ‘til you drop at Reading’s high street and two major indoor shopping centres – the Oracle and the Broad Street Mall – which offer a range of your favourite high street stores. If you prefer to explore smaller independent shops, then you’ll find plenty tucked away in the side streets, Harris Arcade and King’s Walk.

Food

You’ll find a range of large restaurant chains by the Riverside near the Oracle, but Reading is also home to many smaller places offering food from across the globe. You can treat your taste buds to a vast range of cuisines, including French, Italian, Polish, Greek, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Nepalese, Brazilian, Lebanese and Ethiopian.

Nightlife

Reading is packed with a range of pubs, bars and clubs, so you can chill out with a cocktail, watch an open mic night or hit the dance floor.

Green spaces

Reading has a number of beautiful parks, which are perfect for relaxing with a book or enjoying a picnic. The River Thames runs through a number of them, creating a haven for wildlife and rowers. Popular locations include Forbury Gardens, King's Meadow, Caversham Court and Christchurch Meadows.

If you love spending time in the countryside, then you won't have to travel far from Reading to find yourself in the green, rolling hills of the Chilterns or the ancient woodlands of the North Wessex Downs.

Culture

Reading Festival is one of the best known in the UK, with over 87,000 fans flocking to see some of the biggest names in music. But it’s not the only festival in town. Reading also hosts jazz, real ale and comedy festivals throughout the year, and even has its own fringe event.

It also boasts a range of arts, drama, comedy and music venues including the Hexagon Theatre, South Street Arts Centre, Rising Sun Arts Centre and Sub 89. Film fans will be happy to know that there is a 10-screen cinema in the town centre, showing all the latest Hollywood releases, as well as live broadcasts and Bollywood blockbusters. 

Sports

You can experience the thrill of a live football or rugby match at the Madejski Stadium, which is close to the town centre. The venue, which seats over 24,000 people, is home to Reading FC and London Irish Rugby Club.