Guidebook for Reading

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Guidebook for Reading

Food Scene

This however was a pleasant surprise. A friend of mine in Reading recommended it while I was there for business. The ups: -Tons to choose from -Central location so it is easy to get to the train station or the major bus lines -Compared to other options it is super affordable, I think a beer and unlimited food was 15 pounds. -The place was clean, well lit, and the staff was really helpful and attentive (unlike buffets in the US) The only downside I can think of is buffets always cause me to eat too much and end up feeling like a total glutton after wards. Oh well, just don't go all the time I suppose :). Would definitely visit again given the chance!
13 locals recommend
COSMO World Buffet Restaurant | Reading
35-38 Friar St
13 locals recommend
This however was a pleasant surprise. A friend of mine in Reading recommended it while I was there for business. The ups: -Tons to choose from -Central location so it is easy to get to the train station or the major bus lines -Compared to other options it is super affordable, I think a beer and unlimited food was 15 pounds. -The place was clean, well lit, and the staff was really helpful and attentive (unlike buffets in the US) The only downside I can think of is buffets always cause me to eat too much and end up feeling like a total glutton after wards. Oh well, just don't go all the time I suppose :). Would definitely visit again given the chance!
Excellent pie shop in Reading, which makes a nice change from the identikit chain restaurants around the Riverside and is always busy
17 locals recommend
Sweeney & Todd
10 Castle St
17 locals recommend
Excellent pie shop in Reading, which makes a nice change from the identikit chain restaurants around the Riverside and is always busy
Loch Fyne used to be a restaurant with an honest proposition: good seafood from a traced source, prepared well, in a straightforward environment, with fair prices. Recently it feels like they've brought in some "consultant": the crockery gained some black dishes (black? really? Is it 1980? Or does it really make food look better?) and nonsense like serving a starter on a slab of slate. The prices seem to have taken a hike, as well. The food is still good, and the waiters are just as efficient and smiling as before. It's just that it's not a no-brainer for a good meal out, as before.
Loch Fyne Restaurant
Fobney Street
Loch Fyne used to be a restaurant with an honest proposition: good seafood from a traced source, prepared well, in a straightforward environment, with fair prices. Recently it feels like they've brought in some "consultant": the crockery gained some black dishes (black? really? Is it 1980? Or does it really make food look better?) and nonsense like serving a starter on a slab of slate. The prices seem to have taken a hike, as well. The food is still good, and the waiters are just as efficient and smiling as before. It's just that it's not a no-brainer for a good meal out, as before.

Drinks & Nightlife

Was and AMAZING Night on Saturday! and it was a change as NOBODY was Aggressive if you bumped in to eachother. Think we will be going back there soon with my Brother so he can see how GOOD it is there. One word of Advice is that if one of the members of staff recomends you go and drink in the Pub "Great Expation's" be PREPARED To pay a FORTUNE as Drink's there cost &3.40 EACH! but drink's inside After Dark wwere VERY Cheep and Almost made up for it!
After Dark Club
112 London St
Was and AMAZING Night on Saturday! and it was a change as NOBODY was Aggressive if you bumped in to eachother. Think we will be going back there soon with my Brother so he can see how GOOD it is there. One word of Advice is that if one of the members of staff recomends you go and drink in the Pub "Great Expation's" be PREPARED To pay a FORTUNE as Drink's there cost &3.40 EACH! but drink's inside After Dark wwere VERY Cheep and Almost made up for it!
Great place, full of so many different types of people - younger, older, scruffy, smart. You name it, you'll find it there (although I once was refused entry for being 'too smart' - lol!). Cheap, nice atmosphere and a great place to hang out. Never seen any fighting or trouble in the few years I have been going to this place.
20 locals recommend
The Purple Turtle
9 Gun Street
20 locals recommend
Great place, full of so many different types of people - younger, older, scruffy, smart. You name it, you'll find it there (although I once was refused entry for being 'too smart' - lol!). Cheap, nice atmosphere and a great place to hang out. Never seen any fighting or trouble in the few years I have been going to this place.
Great service, friendly staff! Live music on Thursdays, great spot. Good selection of wine and grab a Pimm's cup! free wifi
Artigiano Espresso & Wine Bar
81 Broad Street
Great service, friendly staff! Live music on Thursdays, great spot. Good selection of wine and grab a Pimm's cup! free wifi

Sightseeing

The Kennet & Avon Canal is famed for its scenic beauty and magnificent examples of canal engineering. County Lock is a haven in the heart of Reading's busy shopping district. Great for Dog walking Walking Shopping Nearby Shopping centre with riverside dining and a cinema
County Lock
The Kennet & Avon Canal is famed for its scenic beauty and magnificent examples of canal engineering. County Lock is a haven in the heart of Reading's busy shopping district. Great for Dog walking Walking Shopping Nearby Shopping centre with riverside dining and a cinema
This is a great little gem of a museum. It's packed full of interesting exhibits from full aircraft to many models and photographs of all the history of aviation in Berkshire. The staff are some of the most friendly I have encountered in museums. They deserve all the visitors they can get. I highly recommend a visit here.
7 locals recommend
Museum of Berkshire Aviation
Mohawk Way
7 locals recommend
This is a great little gem of a museum. It's packed full of interesting exhibits from full aircraft to many models and photographs of all the history of aviation in Berkshire. The staff are some of the most friendly I have encountered in museums. They deserve all the visitors they can get. I highly recommend a visit here.
I didn't expect so many details. The rural life is told and shown from every point of view, such as food, clothes, health, means of transports, furniture. The museum has two floor and it's very extended. Every exposition is explained carefully. On the upper floor there's the Ladybird gallery. The museum is surrounded by a nice garden and its location is not so far from the town centre.
10 locals recommend
The Museum of English Rural Life
6 Redlands Rd
10 locals recommend
I didn't expect so many details. The rural life is told and shown from every point of view, such as food, clothes, health, means of transports, furniture. The museum has two floor and it's very extended. Every exposition is explained carefully. On the upper floor there's the Ladybird gallery. The museum is surrounded by a nice garden and its location is not so far from the town centre.

Parks & Nature

I love beale park! Have been visiting here for about 30years. Perfect day out with the children, plenty of parks and play zones, animals, child's train, paddling pools, cafe etc. Easily accessible and plenty of parking. Would definitely recommend this As a family friendly reasonably priced day out.
37 locals recommend
Beale Park
37 locals recommend
I love beale park! Have been visiting here for about 30years. Perfect day out with the children, plenty of parks and play zones, animals, child's train, paddling pools, cafe etc. Easily accessible and plenty of parking. Would definitely recommend this As a family friendly reasonably priced day out.
We had a walk round last week and what an interesting place to visit, you have the river Thames, interesting things to see and if you want just relax weather permitting, a nice little tea area for a break, but most of all everyone seems to be friendly, a lovely relaxing time.
8 locals recommend
Caversham Court
Church Road
8 locals recommend
We had a walk round last week and what an interesting place to visit, you have the river Thames, interesting things to see and if you want just relax weather permitting, a nice little tea area for a break, but most of all everyone seems to be friendly, a lovely relaxing time.
Just walk around and enjoy the nature that is so close to the city. I found more nature places around this beautiful town and not just the city centre which is just fine from my point of view. The Oracle area is nice, but that's it. I think it's a nice place to visit but GREAT place to live as an alternative to London
42 locals recommend
Wellington Country Park
Odiham Road
42 locals recommend
Just walk around and enjoy the nature that is so close to the city. I found more nature places around this beautiful town and not just the city centre which is just fine from my point of view. The Oracle area is nice, but that's it. I think it's a nice place to visit but GREAT place to live as an alternative to London

Arts & Culture

A nice small venue. Drinks not a rip off We came to see OMD. The venue is well suited for this with great sounds, and lights. As standing punters we bypassed the queues others had to be part of. This gave us time in their bar/reception area before the show started. I'm pleased to report there was no mark up on high street prices for drinks. All in all; a nice venue that we'd certainly revisit
54 locals recommend
The Hexagon
Queens Walk
54 locals recommend
A nice small venue. Drinks not a rip off We came to see OMD. The venue is well suited for this with great sounds, and lights. As standing punters we bypassed the queues others had to be part of. This gave us time in their bar/reception area before the show started. I'm pleased to report there was no mark up on high street prices for drinks. All in all; a nice venue that we'd certainly revisit
A little venue of immense artistic potential A small alternative venue, recently refurbished and offering alternative shows of very high quality. The space has changed from the last time I was there (around 1 year ago). The performance stage, seating arrangements, bar, toilet facilities and general transit areas have been vastly improved.... the quality of the shows remain the same - they were already very high so no need to improve in that area :). Overall, a highly appreciated venue in Reading that i hope to carry on visiting.
South Street Arts Centre
21 South St
A little venue of immense artistic potential A small alternative venue, recently refurbished and offering alternative shows of very high quality. The space has changed from the last time I was there (around 1 year ago). The performance stage, seating arrangements, bar, toilet facilities and general transit areas have been vastly improved.... the quality of the shows remain the same - they were already very high so no need to improve in that area :). Overall, a highly appreciated venue in Reading that i hope to carry on visiting.
Wonderful local art and drama centre putting on diverse shows A lovely little place, showing different drama and theatrical performances given by amateurs both adults and children, with art work displayed in the foyer and a very friendly community. My son was in the youth group and acted in 3 plays, I have friends who love the theatre and I look forward to going to one of the jazz performances too. A real hub for the community to pull together and enjoy evenings of arts and music in a friendly atmosphere.
Progress Theatre
The Mount
Wonderful local art and drama centre putting on diverse shows A lovely little place, showing different drama and theatrical performances given by amateurs both adults and children, with art work displayed in the foyer and a very friendly community. My son was in the youth group and acted in 3 plays, I have friends who love the theatre and I look forward to going to one of the jazz performances too. A real hub for the community to pull together and enjoy evenings of arts and music in a friendly atmosphere.

Shopping

It's a great place to do shopping Considering that most shops are closing earlier, this is a unique opportunity for people like me going there on business trip for shopping at any time and with such a large choice of brands. Nice to see a dedicated shop for tea/coffee which is one of my favourite (Whittard).
13 locals recommend
The Riverside Car Park
Oracle Riverside
13 locals recommend
It's a great place to do shopping Considering that most shops are closing earlier, this is a unique opportunity for people like me going there on business trip for shopping at any time and with such a large choice of brands. Nice to see a dedicated shop for tea/coffee which is one of my favourite (Whittard).
Broad Street Mall is Reading’s everyday shopping centre. Locals drop in and out of all week long, heading to TK Maxx, Wilko, Argos or New Look. Weekly crowds here reach roughly 170,000, with spikes at weekends and during school holidays.
17 locals recommend
Broad Street Mall
Broad Street
17 locals recommend
Broad Street Mall is Reading’s everyday shopping centre. Locals drop in and out of all week long, heading to TK Maxx, Wilko, Argos or New Look. Weekly crowds here reach roughly 170,000, with spikes at weekends and during school holidays.
11 locals recommend
Morrisons
Off Basingstoke Rd
11 locals recommend

Essentials

8 locals recommend
Asda Lower Earley Supercentre
Chalfont Way
8 locals recommend
49 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
7-8 Broad St
49 locals recommend