Reading UK, Anyone been?

[Icemaster]

Suggestions on what to see/do? Business trip, trying to plan a day into London this first time around. More time the next trip.

[recycled sixtie]

The last place I lived in the UK 40 years ago was Wallingford which is located about a 30 minute drive from Reading. Reading is not the most scenic place in the UK but getting out of Reading if you have time is great. Oxford(Univ. city) is about a 45 minute drive from Reading. London is about an hour by train or bus from Reading. There are interesting little towns around Reading like Pangbourne and Wallingford which are situated on the River Thames. Of course the pubs are great what with pub food and local beer(cellar temperature). English restaurants can be really good.

Lots of history there. I would not drive in London. Use the tube or taxis. Blenheim Palace (once a home of Churchill) is close to Oxford. Lots of history if you are a history enthusiast.

Cheers, Guy.

[Bill Douglas]

I used to work there.

Lots of cutie cutie towns in the area like Henley on thames Henley-on-Thames - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Icemaster

Suggestions on what to see...

What else...

[Icemaster]

Thank you gents, we might have more time than we thought this trip. This will all come in handy. Wasn't planning on getting a car, so most trips will be near the train.

Pretty sure B&O doesn't stretch that far though....

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Icemaster

Wasn't planning on getting a car, so most trips will be near the train.

And London's just over there → a bit. Reading is a commuter town to London. You'll have fun

[MFAFF]

It is easy to escape from Reading..

Trains to London are dead easy..

They arrive at Paddington Station.. plenty of buses/ underground trains to get anywhere in London (get an Oyster card tho if you plan on using public transport... no way to pay with cash'...)

Trains to Oxford are also easy and then hoof it round Oxford.. a day trip is fun.

All the small towns around as mentioned will be served by local buses... but a real pain to get anywhere in decent time.

[Willem Fick]

I also lived/worked there for a while.

Agreed on travelling to London from there on your first visit. Buy a one day travel pass with return at Reading station. This will cover your train journey to London and back, as well as to give you unlimited underground, bus and ferry access for the day. You will soon enough find that a day isn't enough to even scratch the surface of London.

The train will take you into Paddington station. As you walk along the arrival platform you have two options. one is to walk straight to the underground and start exploring that way. The other is to simply exit the building. From here it is a short walk to Hyde park, which you cross to get to Albert Hall an Albert memorial. Keeping left here takes you to Buckingham Palace and the Mall, whereas right takes you into Kensington.

As for Reading. Not a great place in itself, but very central. Do take the time to walk around it though as the Reading Abbey ruins are an interesting visit, and there is a 1000 year old church worth seeing too. Reading is in very close proximity of Windsor, Oxford and Henley on Thames. The latter is overrated as a destination but has a couple of nice pubs and the surrounds area is quite scenic. For Windsor you need a day as the castle is well worth seeing and the town is a nice walk. Take the time to have a beer at the pub opposite the gatehouse leading to the Great Park.

Oxford also demands a bit of time. Actually, renting a car and driving from Reading to Oxford via Henley is a nice idea, especially if you stick to the country lines (route through Pishill is especially scenic.)

Other places within an easy drive from Reading are Bath and Stonehenge, each of which are about an hour's drive.

Something else to consider:

Not sure where you'll be staying, but if you plan on being there for a week or more at any point it is worth renting an apartment as opposed to staying in a hotel. Visit the Deep Blue Apartments or Ivy Lettings websites for some really nice options.

Enjoy!

[petrolhead611]

Get the free app TrainTimes. It does what it says on the tin, so you can forward plan your journeys.

[petrolhead611]

NB a car in London or Oxford is just a nuisance, go by train
Windsor also has Eton right next door, a short walk, beautiful little town with the historic school that has educated most of our Prime Ministers

[petrolhead611]

NB a car in London or Oxford is just a nuisance, go by train
Windsor also has Eton right next door, a short walk, beautiful little town with the historic school that has educated most of our Prime Ministers

[Willem Fick]

Originally Posted by petrolhead611

NB a car in London or Oxford is just a nuisance, go by train
Windsor also has Eton right next door, a short walk, beautiful little town with the historic school that has educated most of our Prime Ministers

Agreed! By day London is a parking lot at best, and you incur congestion charges. Parking space in London is also very expensive.

For Oxford though you miss out on quite a scenic journey, so what I used to do was to travel by car to the outskirts of town where there is (used to be?) a "park & ride" facility where you could leave your car and be ferried into town by bus. Don't know if it is still there, but the internet is your friend!

Forgot about Eton! On the Eton side of Windsor there also used to be a great motor-racing memorabilia store that had an amazing selection of artifacts, including helmets worn by some of the F1 greats, and a lot of bits and pieces off famous cars.

[MFAFF]

The park and ride on the south side of Oxford is currently a nightmare... they are redoing ht road junction.. so avoid it. Use one to the east (on the A40, its called Thornhill.

Agree that the drive from Reading to Oxford via Henley is great.. lots of beautiful places to see..

Also an amazing Aston Martin museum in Drayton St Leonard... just single barn with half a dozen cars.. just an hour of two needed.. but wow...Lovely lady from Texas works there... Its home of the Aston Martin Owners Club and Aston Martin Heritage Trust.

[petrolhead611]

Why forget Eton? Its one of the most beautiful characterful towns in southern UK

[mjohnson]

I'm a USA-ian and am at this moment in a hotel in Reading. Been here a few weeks ever year for the last dozen or so.

Access to London is easy and cheap - if you're not following the peak times. Everywhere west of London by train goes through reading so that's easy.

Bath and oxford are obvious. If you have a car Avebury and Salisbury are worth trips.

I was thinking of renting bikes, go by train west along the A4/kennet canal to somewhere like newberry and pedaling along the canal to the next station. Flat trail and many canal-side pubs. Could be a nice change from city stuff without requiring a car...

Oh yeah, beer!

[Willem Fick]

Originally Posted by petrolhead611

Why forget Eton? Its one of the most beautiful characterful towns in southern UK

I think you misread my post! It is really well worth a visit!

[petrolhead611]

Yes Wilhelm, sorry I misread your post.
Anthony

[Icemaster]

Thanks all gents. Here now, we'll keep plenty busy it seems. Appreciate all the suggestions.

[JJ 911SC]

Report back upon your return.

[Tanick]

This weekend is Reading Festival. If you're still there then things may get weird.