Attractions Nearby

The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL)

The MERL offers arrange of unique exhibition and workshops throughout the year. Some exhibition and activities are free, whilst others may have a charge. Please check their website in advance to avoid disappointment.

Regular: Early Birds at the MERL-Every first Sunday of the month, the MERL has dedicated a quiet hour for those who have autism or other sensory conditions. This provides guests some peaceful time to enjoy the exhibition and activity.

How to get there:

• From the University, catch the 21/21a Claret bus which will take you to town, you will need to get off the bus at‘Crown Place Passage’(about a 7-minute bus ride)
• From‘Crown Place Passage’, walk for 4 minutes and you will arrive at The MERL (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).
• Alternatively, you can walk to The MERL. The museum is on London Road campus, from Whiteknight campus it takes about 20 minutes (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed.

If you are driving, it will take about 4 minutes, there is very limited parking for visitors at the museum. Visitors are encouraged to use alternative methods of transport to get to MERL.

Reading Museum

The Reading Museum is free and provide a wide range of history that is suitable for all, they run activities for people who are interested in developing their knowledge or to gain new skills. Please check their website to see what is currently available and to avoid disappointment.

How to get there:

• From the University catch the 21 Claret bus which will take you to town, you will need to get off the bus at‘Kings Road (Stop MH)’(about a 12 minute bus ride)
• From‘Kings Road (Stop MH)’, walk for 4 minutes and you will arrive at Reading Museum (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).
• If you are driving, it will take about 9 minutes, although there is no parking available at the museum. However, there are public car parks close by. Please see the museum website for more information.

Team Sports Karting

If you are looking for something different to do, Team Sports Karting might be the place for you. They are an indoor go karting place that has 2 multi-level tracks which are also suitable for families or large groups of friends. For more information on the tracks and offers, please go to their website.

How to get there:

• From the University catch the 21 Claret bus which will take you to town, you will need to get off the bus at ‘London Street Foot’.
• From ‘London Street Foot’ catch the 6 Emerald bus to Whitley Wood, you will need to get off the bus at ‘Long Barn Lane’.
• From ‘Long Barn Lane’, it is about a 7 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).
• If you are driving, it would take about 9 minutes. There is free parking on site.

The Reading Climbing Centre provides a physical and challenging experience. Suitable for beginners or professionals, the centre provides people with various climbing options, such as bouldering and lead climbing. For more information on the various options and offers, please go to their website.

How to get there:

• From the University catch the 21 Claret bus which will take you to town, you will need to get off the bus at ‘Vicarage Road’.
• From ‘Vicarage Road’ it is about a 13 minute walk to Reading Climbing Centre (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).
• If you are driving, it would take about 9 minutes. There is limited free parking onsite.

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park is a theme park that is also well known for their special theme events. They have over 30 rides, attractions and live events, where it also contains 5 of UK top rollercoasters. It is part of the Merlin group, so is included if you hold a Merlin pass.

You can either buy ticket on the day you visit or purchase it in advance online, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to avoid the queue. If a group of you are going (7 or more people) to Thorpe Park, you may want to consider the group ticket option instead of individual tickets. If you purchased the Merlin Pass you do not need to purchase a ticket unless you are bringing a friend or family member with you who requires a ticket. If you have a Merlin Pass friends and family voucher, you need to purchase the ticket at the gates on arrival.

How to get there:

• From Reading stations, you can get a direct train to 'Staines' (About a 46-minute journey).
• From 'Staines Railway' stations find the ‘950 Express Bus’s which goes directly to Thorpe Park.
• If you are driving, it would take about 47-minute, there is a parking charge. Please check in advance to avoid uncertainty when arriving.

There are frequent trains and buses to Thorpe Park, but Sunday and bank Holiday times may vary and affect frequency, therefore make sure to plan your journey in advance.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle has over 900 years of royal family history and it is the largest occupied castle in the world. The castle is the private home to the Queen but is occasionally used for official Royal residence for certain duties. In 2018 Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie & Jack Brooksbank, both had their weddings in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

When purchasing your ticket, you can opt for the Student price and if you ask them to treat your ticket as a donation, you will have free re-admission for the year. You can purchase tickets on the day or online.

If you are disabled, Windsor Castle offers a free access companion ticket. If you would like a companion ticket you will need to either phone +44 (0) 303 123 7324 or email: specialistsales@rct.uk

How to get there:

• From Reading station, get a train to‘Slough’ and from‘Slough’ a train to‘Windsor and Eton Central’'(About a 33-minute journey).
• From ‘Windsor and Eton Central’  it is a 5-minute walk to Windsor Castle (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).
• If you are driving, it would take about 30-minute, although it is unclear about parking. Please check in advance to avoid uncertainty when arriving.

There are frequent trains and buses to Windsor Castle but Sunday and bank Holidays times may vary and affect frequency, plan your journey in advance.

Liquid Leisure Aqua Park

The Liquid Leisure Aqua Park is home to the Europe largest aqua park. There are 3 section to choose from, the aqua park, cable park and the boat lake. All those wishing to participate must be a competent swimmer and sign a waiver in advance. 

If you want to extend your trip, you can reserve space in the park to set up tents or a caravan/camper van. The park is closed at certain time of the year and each section of the park can operate different opening times, please check and book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

 How to get there:

• From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘Sunnymeads’, depending on the time you catch your train it may require 1 or 3 changes (About a 1 hour and 2-minute journey).
• From ‘Sunnymeads’ it is a 10-minute walk to Liquid Leisure Aqua Park (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).
• If you are driving, it would take about 35-minute, although it is unclear about parking. Please check in advance to avoid uncertainty when arriving.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London- The Making of Harry Potter

You are a Wizard! The Harry potter studio tour allows you to leave the muggle world behind and enter the world of magic and wizardry. By providing you with a wizardry experience, tour of the props, history and trying butterbeer.

If there is a large group of you going, it is worth considering purchasing the group ticket, we recommend you purchase tickets and book a time slot in advance to avoid disappointment.

How to get there:

They are several ways to get to the studio, either via Birmingham or London on public transport. However, if you prefer to drive to the studio there is free parking.

• From Reading station, get a train to ‘Clapham Junction’, and from ‘Clapham Junction’ you will need a train to ‘Watford Junction’ (About a 1 hour and 27-minute journey- depending on the train the journey may be longer or shorter)
• From ‘Watford Junction’ get the tours shuttle bus (cash only service)
• Other transport routes are available, you can find the routes here
• If you are driving it will take about 50 minutes, free parking is available.

Henley Royal Regatta

The Henley Royal Regatta was founded in 1839, it is a famous rowing event that is held annually on the River Thames. People from all over the world travel to Henley to either participate in the competition or to simply enjoy the experience. Attending this event is an opportunity to dress up in your best clothes, as there is a dress code. If you attend this event in jeans, it is very likely that you will be refused entry. 

The 2019 Henley Royal Regatta will be held on Wednesday 3^rd to Sunday 7^th July. Tickets for the Enclosure area are released on the 1^st April 2019.

There are certain areas along the river which are free to go to watch the Henley Regatta, however, please check in advance if this still applies.

How to get there:

During the event period, the GWR (Great Western Railway) will operate a special train timetable. 

• From Reading train station, you will be able to get a train directly to ‘Henley-on-Thames’ (about a 32-minute journey).
• From 'Henley-on-Thames' station it is a 5-minute walk to Henley Royal Regatta (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).

You can drive to Henley Royal Regatta where it would take about 30 minutes, but traffic may be heavier during this event, or take the bus; however, the buses would require more changes and the journey is longer. For more information click here

Royal Ascot

Ascot Racecourse is one of UK’s leading racecourse, where it hosts 13 out of 36 annual Group 1 horse races. There are a range of races happening throughout the year, the most popular race is the Royal Ascot which is held in June. Attending this event is an opportunity to dress up in your finest clothes, as there is a dress code. If you attend this event in jeans, it is very likely that you will be refused entry. 

This year The Royal Ascot is held on 18^th to 22^nd June 2019, tickets are available to purchase now. There are 9 enclosures to choose from, which range in prices. If there is a large group (15 people or more) of you attending, you may want to consider the group tickets or the party package. 

How to get there:

• From Reading station, get a direct train to ‘Ascot’ (about a 30 minutes journey).
• From the 'Ascot' station, it is a 10-minute walk to the Ascot Racecourse (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed).

If you would like to drive, it would take about 30 minutes, though would need to book a space in advance. For more information click here

HOST UK

HOST UK is a programme where international students can apply to stay with a UK family, to experience the British culture. Students can choose to stay either a day, the weekend or during the festive period, however students do not need to stay overnight at the host family house if they do not want to. Students can choose how far they would like to travel to gain this experience, for example some students may spend a weekend or the festive period in Edinburgh whilst some may prefer a local family.

the travel cost. HOST UK occasionally come onto campus to give a talk about the programme or attend the welcome week fair. If you have any questions about HOST UK, please not Every year the University sponsor a number of students to gain this experience by covering the cost of the fees but email us

Highclere Castle

One for the Downton Abbey fans! Downton Abbey was filmed in Highclere. Highclere Castle has a rich history (started in 749) and played an important role during the world wars. To this day Highclere Castle is still home to the Earl and Countless of Carnarvon.

The castle has a range of tours and exhibitions that are open to the public, with certain packages you can purchase student price tickets.

Please be mindful that the castle is closed at certain times of the year, but they do have a calendar of events that occur throughout the year, refer to their website for more information. To avoid disappointment, check online and book tickets in advance. If you want a British experience and thrilling evening, we recommend their event called ‘Battle Prom’ in August.

How to get there:

• From Reading station, you can get a direct train to ‘Newbury’ (about a 30-minute journey).
• From the 'Newbury station' you will have to get a taxi to Highclere Castle, which is about a 15-minute ride. Unfortunately, there are no buses that go to the castle directly
• If you are driving, it will take about 35 minutes, there is parking available, although it is in fields which can get muddy in certain weather, so go prepared for this.

The historic castle has limited access for disable users but will accommodate as much as possible, for more information click here