©
Reading trip planner
Create a fully customized
day by day itinerary for free
day by day itinerary for free
Reading
Reading is a large, historically important town in Berkshire, England, of which it is the county town. It was an important trading and ecclesiastical centre in the medieval period, as the site of Reading Abbey, one of the richest monasteries of medieval England with strong royal connections, of which the 12th century abbey gateway and significant ruins remain. The town was seriously affected by the English Civil War, with a major siege and loss of trade, and played a pivotal role in the Revolution of 1688, with that revolution's only significant military action fought on the streets of the town. The 19th century saw the coming of the Great Western Railway and the development of the town's brewing, baking and seed growing businesses. Today Reading is a major commercial centre, with involvement in information technology and insurance, and, despite its proximity to London, has a net inward commuter flow.The first evidence for Reading as a settlement dates from the 8th century. By 1525, Reading was the largest town in Berkshire, and tax returns show that Reading was the 10th largest town in England when measured by taxable wealth. By 1611, it had a population of over 5000 and had grown rich on its trade in cloth. The 18th century saw the beginning of a major iron works in the town and the growth of the brewing trade for which Reading was to become famous. During the 19th century, the town grew rapidly as a manufacturing centre. It is ranked the UK's top economic area for economic success and wellbeing, according to factors such as employment, health, income and skills. Reading is also a major regional retail centre serving a large area of the Thames Valley, and is home to the University of Reading. Every year it hosts the Reading Festival, one of England's biggest music festivals. Sporting teams based in Reading include Reading Football Club and the London Irish rugby union team, and over 15,000 runners annually compete in the Reading Half Marathon.Add Reading and other United Kingdom destinations to your travel plans using our United Kingdom online attractions planner.
Source
Create a full itinerary — for free!
Plan your trip to Reading
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesBook it
Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% offManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Top tours near Reading
Popular things to do in Reading
Side trips from Reading
Hidden gems in Reading
Historic Sites in Reading
Parks in Reading
Kid-friendly things to do in Reading
Places to visit with Reading
LondonTrip planner
BEST FOR: Art Museum, Observation Deck, Nightlife
BathTrip planner
BEST FOR: History Museum, Architectural Building, Spa
YorkTrip planner
BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, History Museum, Architectural Building
WindermereTrip planner
BEST FOR: World heritage site, Water Body, Lookout
WarwickTrip planner
BEST FOR: Castle, Park, History Museum
Recently planned trips to Reading
1 day in Reading
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Reading Station
TimeTrap Escape Rooms
The Lemongrove Gallery
3 days in Reading
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
Hawk Conservancy Trust
1 day in Reading
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Nirvana Spa
Fobney Island Nature Reserve
The Lemongrove Gallery
5 days in Reading
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta
Stonehenge
Caversham Court Gardens
4 days in South East England
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Reading
Portsmouth
Brighton and Hove
20 days in England
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Reading
Oxford
Bristol