Shopping Destination

By now you would have explored the Oracle, but did you know during the Christmas period the Oracle extends its opening hours and sometimes they have pop up German market stands! However, if you want to go shopping elsewhere whilst also exploring the UK, here are some options below that also includes some designers’ outlets around the UK.

	Festival Place- Basingstoke A nearby town that has a large shopping centre. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a direct train to ‘Basingstoke’ (about a 25 minute journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Basingstoke' station, it is a few minutes walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 35 minutes. There is a large multi-storey car park at Festival Place. Take a ticket on entry and remember to pay before getting back in your car to leave.
	West Quay- Southampton A nearby city that has a large shopping centre and attractions. Fun fact:The Titanic set sail from Southampton dockyard on 10^thApril 1912. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a direct train to ‘Southampton Central’ (about a 45 minute journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Southampton Central' station, it is a 10 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.There is a large multi-storey car park at West Quay. Take a ticket on entry and remember to pay before getting back in your car to leave.
	Westgate- Oxford A nearby city that has a large shopping centre and attractions. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a direct train to ‘Oxford' (about a 25 minute journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Oxford' station, it is a 10 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 55 minutes. For information on parking please check the website.
	Bullring & Grand Central- Birmingham A nearby city that has a large shopping centre and attractions. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a direct train to ‘Birmingham New Street’ (about a 1 hour and 30 minute journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Birmingham New Street' station, it is a 5 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 2 ½ hours . For information on parking please check the website.
	Westfield- London One of London ultimate shopping destination. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘London Paddington’, where you will catch a tube to ‘Wood Lane' (about a 1 hour and 20 minute journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Wood Lane', it is a few minutes walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 1 hour and 5 minutes. For information on parking please check the website.
	Selfridges- London Selfridges on Oxford street is the second largest shop in the UK (after Harrods). The department store is well known for their window display and selling luxurious brands. You can also find Selfridges in Birmingham and Manchester. Fun fact: Netflix has created a series of the history of Selfridges. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘London Paddington’, where you will catch a tube to ‘Oxford Circus' (about a 1 ½ hours). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Oxford Circus', it is a 6 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 1 hour and 20-minutes, although there is limited parking and driving in central London incurs a congestion charge which is in addition to parking charges. We would recommend you choose public transport when travelling to central London.
	Camden Market- London A little gem in London where the market contains a variety of retail and food stalls. Some famous brands and food stalls debuted in the market before becoming an actual shop or mainstream business. How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘London Paddington’, where you will catch a tube to ‘Camden Town‘ (about a 1 ½ hour journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Camden Town', it is a very short walk. If you are driving, it would take about 1 ½ hours, although it is unclear about parking. It is recommended that you use public transport to travel to and around London.
	Swindon Designer Outlet How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a direct train to ‘Swindon’ (about a 30 minute journey). From the 'Swindon Station', it is a 15 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about a 1 hour, there is parking but for a small fee unless you spend £100. For other ways to the outlet click here.
	Bicester Village How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘Oxford’, from‘Oxford’ you will change for ‘Bicester Village' (about a 1 hour journey). Depending on the train you take there may be more changes or longer/shorter. From the 'Bicester Village' 'Station, it is a 8 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 1 hour and 15 minutes, there is free parking. For other ways to the outlet click here.
	Gunwharf Quays How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘Portsmouth Harbour’, where you will change at ‘Southampton Central’' (about a 2 hour journey). From 'Portsmouth Harbour' it will be an 8-minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 1 hour 45-minute, parking is available at a charge. For other ways to get to the outlet click here.
	London Designer Outlet How to get there: From Reading station, you can get a train to ‘Wembley Stadium', where you will change at ‘London Paddington’ to ‘London Marylebone’, from ‘London Marylebone’ you will stop at ‘Wembley Stadium' (about a 1 hour and 10 minute journey). From 'Wembley Stadium' it will be a 3 minute walk (the walk may be longer or shorter, depending on your walking speed). If you are driving, it would take about 1 ½ hours, limited parking is available at a charge. For other ways to get to the outlet click here.