Reading (pronounced Redding, for all our non-Brit friends) is often overlooked when it comes to places in England that might be worth your time. People often highlight its proximity and its great connections to more notably touristic locations like London, the Chilterns, Winchester and Oxford, and yeah, it is brilliantly convenient for visiting all those places, BUT, there are also more than a few decent reasons to stick around in the county town of Berkshire itself.
We could tell you about some of Reading’s most famous bits, like the iconic Reading Music Festival, or Reading Abbey Ruins, but it’s the Penta way to get out and explore a little (plus, we’ve already written about the festival before) SO, here’s a few of our favourite things that you should check out in Reading…
Seeing as there’s a really great blend of urban and outdoorsy to be found in Reading, we’re going to kick things off by going back to nature so to speak. The Thames Path follows, yep you’ve guessed it, England’s best-known river. There are several easy and enjoyable walks in and around the town, all along the riverside that are a great way to spend some time, particularly when the sun is shining.
If you really want to take your excursion to the next level, we’d recommend planning your walk to include stops at either View Island – it’s very peaceful and has some quirky wooden carved sculptures, or if you are feeling especially luxurious, Thames Lido Pool & Spa – Where you can find a heated pool, hot tub and saunas, as well as massage rooms and an award-winning restaurant.
Heading back to the town centre, we’ve got two cultural hotspots to share with you. The first is the Hexagon, a brutalist structure that is also a “multi-purpose entertainment venue”. There’s a genuinely eclectic mix of stuff going on here, with everything from music, dance, and theatre, to major-name comedians and stuff like live wrestling.
Our second cultural hotspot is the incredibly named Reading Biscuit Factory. Despite its name, this isn’t a place where delicious, crumbly, treats come into existence. Instead, it’s a cinema, bar, coffee shop, live performance space and community hub. It’s a must-visit for any cinema buff – they show a real range of stuff, not just blockbusters or independents, and just in general it’s a really cool, creative space. Definitely worth checking out.
We’re going to finish things off with a couple of real thirst quenchers. Reading has a decent craft beer scene, and is home to a couple of really great breweries. Phantom Brewing Co produces a selection of fresh and delicious beers and its taproom is a great option for when you are looking to grab a beer over the weekend.
Just a stone’s throw (or a five-minute walk) from Pentahotel Reading, Siren Craft Brew and its flagship Reading bar is always worth a visit. With over 28 options on tap, as well as cans to take away, it is a beer lovers paradise. They also have a wide selection of other drinks too, and are just a 6-minute walk from the Hexagon, meaning that a pre-show beer should really be on the cards.
Now, you’ll need somewhere to stay after you’re done exploring all these cool spots… The obvious choice has to be Pentahotel Reading.
