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City guide

Reading, UK

Reading is a town and borough in Berkshire, England, and the county town of Berkshire. It is Berkshire's largest town, with a total population of 203,795 in its built-up area as of 2021.

Type CityPopulation 203,795

Why go

  • Town and borough in Berkshire, England.
  • Served by Blackbushe Airport (BBS).

History

Reading is a town and borough in Berkshire, England, and the county town of Berkshire. It is Berkshire's largest town, with a total population of 203,795 in its built-up area as of 2021. Most of its built-up area lies within the Borough of Reading, although some outer suburbs are parts of neighbouring local authority areas. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the rivers Thames and Kennet.

Where to stay

41 Brighton Rd, Reading RG6 1PS, United Kingdom · lovely-home-earley.bedsandhotels.com
Indoor
Caversham Bridge, Richfield Ave, Reading RG1 8BD, United Kingdom · village-hotels.co.uk
Indoor
26 The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EJ, United Kingdom · roseatehotels.com
Indoor
155 Friar St, Reading RG1 1HE, United Kingdom · nitehouse.co
Indoor
18-20 Station Rd, Reading RG1 1JX, United Kingdom · malmaison.com
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1-2 Market Place, Reading RG1 2EQ, United Kingdom · markethousereading.com
Indoor
33 London St, Reading RG1 4PS, United Kingdom · 1843reading.com
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25A Friar St, Reading RG1 1DP, United Kingdom · all.accor.com
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Oxford Rd, Reading RG1 7RH, United Kingdom · pentahotels.com
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Richfield Ave, Reading RG1 8EQ, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
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Letcombe St, Reading RG1 2HN, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
4-8 Duke St, Reading RG1 4RY, United Kingdom · ihg.com
Indoor
39 Christchurch Rd, Reading RG2 7AN, United Kingdom · surehotelreading.co.uk
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118 Connaught Rd, Reading RG30 2UF, United Kingdom · theabbeyhousehotel.co.uk
Indoor
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Drake Way, Reading RG2 0GQ, United Kingdom · hilton.com
Indoor
Oxthorn House, 60 Oxford Rd, Reading RG1 7LT, United Kingdom · travelodge.co.uk
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51 Church Rd, Reading RG6 1EY, United Kingdom · elmhursthotel.co.uk
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132-138 Caversham Rd, Reading RG1 8AY, United Kingdom · easyhotel.com
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72 Bath Rd, Reading RG30 2BE, United Kingdom · parksideinternationalhotel.com
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25 Russell St, Reading RG1 7XD, United Kingdom · alisastravelexperience.com
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Minster Court, Minster St, Reading RG1 2JF, United Kingdom · premiersuiteseurope.com
Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 387 Basingstoke Road, Reading, RG2 0JE · stonehouserestaurants.co.uk
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · Playhatch Roa, Sonning on Thames, RG4 6TN · thefrenchhorn.co.uk
Indoor
Nepalese, Indian, Restaurant · Nepalese and Indian Cafe Restaurant Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:30; Sa, Su 10:30-22:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway ·… · dhaulagirikitchen.co.uk
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Thai Restaurant · King Street, Reading, RG1 2HG · bolanthaicuisine.co.uk
Indoor
Kebab, Fast Food · Postoffice Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · 228 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7QA
Indoor
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-15:00,17:30-22:30; Fr 12:00-15:00,17:30-23:00; Sa 12:00-22:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access… · cosmo-restaurants.co.uk
Indoor
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 08:00-23:00; Su 09:00-22:00 Features: vegan options · cote.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00 Features: takeaway · Chalfont Way, Earley, RG6 5TT · storelocator.asda.com
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 11:30-21:30 Features: vegan options, step-free access, air conditioning · 11A… · bellaitalia.co.uk
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 08:00-22:00; Th-Sa 08:00-22:30; Su 07:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · Chain Street, Reading, RG1 2HX · bills-website.co.uk
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options · Moto Reading Services, Reading, RG30 3UQ · locations.burgerking.co.uk
Indoor
Steak, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · Unit 5 The Oracle Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG · millerandcarter.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Portuguese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-We 11:00-23:00; Th 11:00-22:30; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: vegan options · Unit 4 The Riverside, The… · nandos.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-18:00 Features: takeaway · Moto Reading Services, Reading, RG30 3UQ · pret.co.uk
Indoor
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access · Riverside Court, Reading, RG1 2AG · wagamama.com
Indoor
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: PH,Mo-Su 09:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · Liebenrood Road, Reading, RG30 2ND · harvester.co.uk
Indoor
Donut, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-20:00; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00 Features: takeaway · shops.krispykreme.co.uk
Indoor
Frozen Yogurt, Dessert, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00 Features: takeaway, vegetarian options · shakeaway.com
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th,Su 17:00-22:00, Fr,Sa 17:00-22:30, Sa,Su 12:00-14:00 · 250 Shinfield Road, Reading · moliyuan.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-15:30, Tu-Fr 17:30-22:00, Sa,Su 12:00-22:00 · 19-23 King Street, Reading, RG1 2HG · bombaybrothers.co.uk
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 11:00-17:00; Tu 10:00-21:00; We 10:00-21:00; Th 10:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-23:00; Su 12:00-18:00 · 30A Chain Street,… · intokurestaurants.com
Indoor
Tapas, Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr 12:00-23:00; Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:30 · iguanas.co.uk
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:15,17:00-23:00; Su 16:30-23:00 · 18 Whitchurch Road, Reading, RG8 7BP · tripadvisor.co.uk
Indoor
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 12:00-17:00, 19:00-00:30; Su 12:00-17:00 · Henley-On-Thames, RG9 4DP · orwellsrestaurant.com
Indoor
Pakistani, Afghan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Th 13:00-23:00, Fr 14:00-23:00 · 2 Bridge Street, Reading, RG4 8AA · pathaansrestaurant.co.uk
Indoor
Mexican, Brunch, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Sa 08:00-22:00; Su 08:00-21:00 · 6 High Street, Sonning, RG4 6UP · tacito.co.uk
Indoor
Crepe, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-21:00; Sa 11:30-21:00; Su 11:30-19:00 Features: step-free access · The Oracle, Reading, RG1 2AG · creperiedouxsourire.co.uk
Indoor
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:30-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:30-22:00 Features: takeaway · King Street, Reading, RG1 2HG
Indoor
Swedish, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-20:30; Sa 09:30-20:30; Su 10:00-16:30 Features: takeaway, vegan options, step-free access
Indoor
Pasty, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-15:00 Features: takeaway · Moto Reading Services, Reading, RG30 3UQ
Indoor
Argentinian, Steak, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-23:00; Sa 10:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00 Features: halal · Reading, RG1 2AQ
Indoor
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · Reading, RG1 7QH · locations.tacobell.co.uk
Indoor
Sri Lankan, Restaurant · Features: vegan options · 64-72 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 3BJ · thecoconut-tree.com
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Ice Cream ice cream · 14-16 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7LA · creamscafe.com
Indoor
Lebanese, Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su, Tu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30 Features: takeaway · 82 London Street, Reading, RG1 4SJ · bakery-house.co.uk
Indoor
Breakfast, Burger, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · 14 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1JG · cafeyolk.com
Indoor
Dessert, Coffee Shop, Ice Cream, Cafe · Opening hours: Th 12:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:30-23:00; Su 12:30-21:00 · 107 Crockhamwell Road, Reading, RG5 3JP · mayas-treats.co.uk
Indoor
Mediterranean, Turkish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · 61-63 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, RG5 3JP · yaprak.restaurant
Indoor
Fish, Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:00,16:30-22:00 · 54 Wensley Road, Reading, RG1 6DJ
Indoor
Portuguese, Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Chicken, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00 · 377 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1HA
Indoor
Turkish, Kebab, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, delivery · 19 Whitley Street, Reading, RG2 0EG · ephesusreading.co.uk
Indoor
Caribbean, Restaurant · Caribbean restaurant · 59-60 St Mary's Butts, Reading, RG1 2LG · dolphinscuisine.com
Indoor
Greek, Cypriot, Restaurant · Greek/Cypriot restaurant · spitiko.uk
Indoor
Noodle, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 80 Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2AP
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Sushi, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 150 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1HE
Indoor

352 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Heathrow Airport (LHR) 22 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 86 airlines (British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Finnair…) · direct flights to 171 destinations incl. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 86 airlines, 171 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Blackbushe Airport (BBS) 10 mi to the centre
Camberley, Surrey, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Farnborough Airport (FAB) 15 mi to the centre
Farnborough, Hampshire, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Wycombe Air Park (HYC) 13 mi to the centre
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Hopkiln Farm Airstrip 3.2 mi to the centre
Reading, Berkshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Whittles Farm Airstrip 4.4 mi to the centre
Reading, Oxfordshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Thames RiverCruise
Ferry terminal · 0.9 mi from the centre
Outdoor
The Little Green Boat Company - Marlow
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · The Little Green Boat Company
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Blackbushe Airport (BBS); 6 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 2 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Thames RiverCruise, 0.9 mi).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Reading, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Broker, marketplace · Operator network worldwide · Online charter marketplace, part of Directional Aviation; instant quotes.
Marketplace · Operator network · Transparent on-demand jet charter marketplace showing the operator and tail.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.