Reading - Beyond the Obvious

Unexpected Reading - go beyond the obvious

There’s no Reading Festival for people to visit this year and many people perhaps won’t think of Reading as a holiday destination but a weekend break will surprise. Read on….

History and the outdoors – A stay in Reading will challenge perceptions and surprise. Not many people know it’s a royal heritage destination and offers lots of outdoors options along and beyond the Thames.

Reading is perhaps the easiest place to get to in the UK, with train lines, north, south, east and west going through Reading and just 25 minutes from London. M4 and A34 are also easy transport links.

Great base to explore the Chilterns – National Trust properties Basildon Park and Greys Court are close by, Beale Park Wildlife Park and take short trips to Henley, Cliveden and Silchester Roman ruins.

Be outside in Reading:-

• History outside - Last remaining unfound King of England buried in Reading Abbey. Henry I built the Abbey in the 12th century as his mausoleum and he is believed to be buried on the site. The Ruins of the Abbey were reopened in 2018 and are free to explore every day.  
  • Free entry Reading Museum alongside the Abbey Quarter tells the story of the Abbey and Reading’s subsequent history, including the history of biscuits (Huntley and Palmer) and only full-scale reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry in the UK.
• Within a short walk of the Abbey is the Abbey Gateway, where Jane Austen went to school and Reading Gaol, where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned. 
• Reading has the longest stretch of the Thames of any local authority in England. Lovely stretches of the Thames Path, hire kayaks or paddle boards at Wokingham Canoe Centre, or a motor boat for the day from Caversham Boat Services.
• Eating outside – Reading’s other river, The Kennet, flows through the middle of the Oracle shopping centre which has a choice of 20 outdoor dining options, from Cote Brasserie to Franco Manca, The Real Greek to Comptoir Libanais.
• Open air swimming –
  • Many places for wild swimming around Reading – Thames Valley Park, Pangbourne to Goring stretch of the Thames
  • Edwardian Thames Lido – sister of the Bristol Lido – opened in 2018 – no re-opening date available yet.
• Walk everywhere! From station to hotel, river to restaurant, abbey to Lido. Outside all day.

Roseate Reading - Described as ‘UK’s Sexiest Townhouse Hotel’, The Roseate Reading is recognised for its artful conception and luxury. The hotel prides itself on its attention to detail, an attitude that is realised from the hotel personnel to the facilities available to make your stay cherished and memorable. It is located in the heart of Reading’s Abbey Quarter – just 5-minute walk from the station.

- Price – from £86 per room per night. For family rooms, email or call the hotel direct.

- Availability – Bookings taken from 6 July.

https://www.roseatehotels.com/reading/theroseate/ 0118 952 7770 / info.tflr@roseatehotels.com