The Town of Reading

01 Museums Galleries

The University’s Museum of English Rural Life is owned and managed by the University. It was established by academics in the Department of Agriculture in 1951 to capture and record the rapidly changing countryside following World War II.

Reading Museum & Town Hall is a well-known landmark building in the centre of Reading. Reading Museum has been providing award-winning opportunities for learning, inspiration and enjoyment since 1883. 

02 Music

Reading Festival is one of the best known in the UK, with over 105,000 fans flocking to see some of the biggest names in music. But it’s not the only festival in town. Reading also hosts jazz, real ale and comedy festivals throughout the year, and even has its own fringe event.

SUB89 is Reading’s underground club and live music venue. Opening in October 2009 with a live show from Chase and Status, the venue has gone from strength to strength covering all aspects of live music, comedy and clubnights.

03 Transport

The town of Reading is well connected, with direct trains running to major cities around the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Cardiff. London is only half an hour away by rail and services run late into the night. Additionally, the M4 motorway, which connects London with South Wales, is on the edge of town.

It takes only 40 minutes by direct Railair bus service to get from Reading train station to London Heathrow, and London Gatwick is just over an hour away by train.

04 Theatre

The Hexagon Theatre is a well established multi-purpose venue in the heart of Reading that provides an exciting programme of events including rock, pop, comedy, drama, classical music and dance.

South Street Arts Centre is situated just to the South of Reading's town centre. The small-scale programme focuses on critically acclaimed touring theatre, music, comedy and spoken word.

The Rising Sun Arts Centre is a small, independent arts centre, which for 25 years has been staffed and run by volunteers. The Rising Sun started as a squat, created by a group of intrepid artists who saw a need for ground-level arts development, for and by, the people of Reading.

05 Shopping

The Oracle and the Broad Street Malls are Reading’s two indoor shopping centres, which offer a range of your favourite high street stores.

If you prefer to explore smaller independent shops, then you’ll find plenty tucked away in the side streets including, Harris Arcade and King’s Walk.

^{(photo credit: Reading CIC)}

06 Sport

Madejski Stadium is home to Reading football club and London Irish Rugby Club and seats over 24,000 people.

The University’s SportsPark provides students with extensive indoor and outdoor facilities.

^{(photo credit: Reading CIC)}