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view of the oracle riverside riverside with a canal boat Students sitting on bench outside the town hallA wide pavement with restaurants to the left and a river to the right.Two students talk to each other while leaning against a rail. Behind them are a row of restaurants. Two students sit on a bench chatting to each other. Behind them is an old church in Reading town centre.

Get to know Reading town

Reading has a bustling town centre with a range of places to meet with friends, grab a drink and a bite to eat, or just hang out and relax.

Explore what's on offer off campus, including our shops, restaurants, nightlife, arts and culture, green spaces and sport. Our Student Local Guides have put together a map of key places in the local area.

Reading town is very well connected, whether you’re travelling by foot, bus, train or plane. Learn more about our Reading location on our Visiting the University page.

Before becoming a student here, I didn’t realise how much there is to explore in Reading, from the variety of shops and restaurants to the beautiful parks and nearby countryside. It’s a really vibrant town.

Giovanna
BSc Psychology with Professional Placement

Discover Reading town

Explore what's on offer off campus.

Shopping

The Oracle shopping centre is home to the big names in retail, but there are also independent stores and boutiques around town.

These range from secondhand and vintage clothing shops to ethnic grocery stores. We also boast Eclectic Games, which stocks one of the largest board game collections in the country, and Hickies, an independent music shop.

Restaurants

Reading has an array of cafes and restaurants dotted along the riverside to excite your taste buds. With Hyderabadi, tapas, Lebanese, Ethiopian and vegan options, you’re sure to find somewhere to satisfy your appetite.

Be sure to check out the new Blue Collar Corner street food market, spanning across two floors with delicious street food such as vegan tacos and bao buns.

Nature and green spaces

Reading has a number of beautiful parks and nature reserves, which are perfect for relaxing with a book or enjoying a picnic.

The river Thames runs through a number of them, creating a haven for wildlife and rowers. Try out paddle boarding or kayaking, or jet skiing and water obstacle courses at Lagoona Park.

If you love spending time in the countryside, then you won't have to travel far from Reading to find yourself in the green, rolling hills of the Chilterns, or the ancient woodlands of the North Wessex Downs.

Arts, culture and music

Reading Festival is one of the best-known festivals in the UK, with over 87,000 fans flocking to see some of the biggest names in music. 

Reading also hosts jazz, real ale and comedy festivals throughout the year, as well as its own fringe event.

Reading has lively music, comedy and theatre scenes with venues such as Sub89, South Street and the Hexagon, which has hosted acts including Kaiser Chiefs and Omid Djalili and various local and touring stage shows.

Nightlife

Check out Reading’s brand new community space, The Biscuit Factory, or drop into Spinners for a game of crazy golf, interactive darts or bowling.

Club venues and bars extend beyond campus as Reading town centre transforms from day to night. Discover festivals and new music acts, unique club events and cocktail bars, or indulge in one of our late-night ice cream parlours.

Sport

Experience the thrill of a live football or rugby match at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, which is close to the town centre. The venue, which seats over 24,000 people, is home to Reading FC.

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