Reading Leisure

One of the joys of making Reading your touring base - and indeed one of the pleasures of living in the town - is the wonderful range of attractions which can be found within easy reach.

These include major theme parks, acclaimed museums, heritage centres, stately homes and nature reserves - as well as the major tourist attractions at Windsor, Oxford and, of course, London.

There are also lots of places to explore in the heart of the Thames and Kennet Valleys, including many areas of outstanding beauty.

There are several live music venues in the town centre, as well as lots of pubs, and our choice of arts venues, including the renowned Hexagon Theatre, feature everything from international orchestras to fringe theatre. In and around the town you can also find top restaurants, multi-screen cinemas, casinos and nightclubs.

If sport is your thing, check our our list of how to keep fit, and where to watch professional sport.

You will find all your favorite high street brand names around Reading - either on Broad Street (our main shopping thoroughfare), in The Oracle, or in the side roads between Friar Street and Broad Street.

In fact, shopping in Reading ranges from John Lewis - one of the country's largest department stores - to the bustle of our street market (held Wednesday - Saturday on Hosier Street/St Mary's Butts).

Gun Street, St Mary's Butts, Bristol and West Arcade and Harris Arcade offer a mix of small specialist shops, while West Street offers two of the biggest names in discount shopping - Primark (clothing) and Fopp (music and video).