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Discover more about our Open Days

How to find us

The easiest way to get to the University on Open Days is by public transport, and we provide a free bus service for all Open Day visitors between the University and Reading train station.

Both our Whiteknights and London Road campuses are open on the day. Most visitors should head for the Whiteknights campus which is the main hub for our Open Day activities but if you're interested in architecture, education or teaching then you may wish to start your day on the London Road campus.

Please, view our Open Day campus map.

How to get to the Open Day

Travelling by train

By far the easiest way to get to us for an Open Day is on public transport. 

Reading train station is a mainline train station and is easily accessible from most other places in the UK. There are direct rail links from many major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, and Exeter, as well as a number of routes through London.

If you are travelling from or via London, the quickest route to take is from London Paddington station. Trains from London Paddington to Reading run approximately every 15-20 minutes throughout the day and the average journey time is around 30 minutes.

Once you arrive at Reading station our team of Open Day Ambassadors will be ready to greet you, and assist you in catching the free bus to campus.

Find out more at the National Rail website.

Travelling from London?

After a long journey we were particularly grateful to the students who met us at the railway station, gave us free tickets and pointed us to the right bus. We were also struck by the beautiful green spaces on campus.

Open Day visitor
2018
Campus Bus stop

Travelling to the University by bus

Getting to the Whiteknights campus from Reading station by bus is easy

Both the 21 and 21a buses run directly from the main train station to our Whiteknights campus every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day.

Our London Road campus is located between Reading town centre and the Whiteknights campus.

Free Open Day bus vouchers

Travel to and from the University on 21 or 21a buses is free for all Open Day visitors. 

Collect your bus vouchers from University of Reading Open Day Ambassadors at the station or on campus, at the bus stops. 

Coaches from airports

London Heathrow (RailAir every 30 minutes during the day), London Gatwick (every 15 minutes during the day via Heathrow airport ), London Stansted (every 90 minutes during the day): http://www.nationalexpress.com/

National coach companies

National Express coaches stop at Reading station and Reading Calcot (junction 12 of the M4).

Travelling by coach?
walking through campus with bike

Walking or cycling

Our campuses in the Reading area are within easy walking and cycling distance from  local train stations. 

Our Whiteknights campus is approximately two miles and around 40 minutes on foot from Reading Station. Please allow a further 10 minutes to reach a specific building or site once on campus.

Travelling to the University by car

We request, where possible, you use public transport to visit the University on Open Days. Limited parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who select this option at the point of booking.

Postcodes:

If travelling by car, please note that the sat nav postcode for Whiteknights campus, the main location of our Open Day, is RG6 6UR. This is different from our postal postcode.

If you are interested in architecture, education or teaching and have requested parking on our London Road site, the sat nav postcode is RG1 5AQ.

Blue Badge holder?

If you are a Blue Badge holder, there will be ample parking located in car park 10 on the Whiteknights campus. Please alert our security parking team upon arrival and they will direct you. 

Please note: car park 10 is immediately opposite the site of our Open Day Dome.

If you or a member of your party needs help getting around the campus, then try our Readibus service, the stop for which is also found in car park 10. Ask at the information point in the Open Day Dome for more information or simply approach the bus and tell the driver where you’d like to go or what you’d like to see.

Blue Badge holder?

Parking

Alternative parking arrangements

There are a number of paid public car parks in Reading town centre you can use on Open Days. You can find information about car parks in Reading at Parkopedia.

To get to the University from these car parks please read the 'How to find us by bus' information on this page and don’t forget that using either the 21 or 21a bus (station to Whiteknights campus) is free for all Open Day visitors.

A free park & ride service will be operating on Saturday 5 & 12 October

Park and Ride buses will run from the Mereoak car park, just south of the M4, directly to campus every 40 minutes throughout both days*. Open Day guests are invited to use this service free of charge.

  • The journey from the park and ride to campus should take between 15 and 18 minutes.
  • The final bus will depart from Whiteknights campus at 17:10.
  • Park and ride timetable for October Open Days

(* Please note: the park and ride service will take a short break at 12:00, resuming from Whiteknights campus at 13:10.)

Visiting Reading town centre

You are welcome to use the free shuttle bus from Whiteknights campus if you would like to visit Reading town centre once you have finished your day on campus.

To return to the Mereoak park and ride car park, you can use your free park and ride ticket on the Greenwave buses which leave from Reading town centre and Reading Station. Please view the timetable for further information.

Visiting Reading town centre

On-campus accommodation

If you are visiting the University and need somewhere to stay, Cedars Hotel, offers on-campus bed and breakfast.

Cedars Hotel is located at the centre of our Whiteknights campus, close to the Students' Union building and on-campus shops. All bedrooms are en-suite and equipped with a flat-screen TV, desk, telephone, and tea and coffee making facilities. Fresh towels, linen and luxury toiletries are also provided.

For more information, please visit the Cedars Hotel website.

Hotel information

Make the most of your day

To help create the perfect Open Day experience, please use our making the most of your day information page for maps, accessibility guide and more. 

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