Visit the historic city of Reading as a group and discover medieval ruins, Jane Austen’s school and a Banksy mural, or take a trip on the Thames before enjoying a show.
Visitors are often surprised to find that Reading is ‘on-Thames’ and has a medieval quarter centred around the burial place of King Henry I of England in the ruins of Reading Abbey.
The Abbey Quarter is also home Jane Austen’s school room in the Abbey Gateway, an afternoon tea experience and its very own Banksy mural.
Groups can visit Reading with ease by coach, with drop off points next to the town centre attractions or at the theatre and river boat cruise departure points.
Groups travelling from London with a Freedom Pass can get to Reading free of charge on the Elizabeth Line – 50 minutes direct from central London. Reading is also reachable by train from 250 destinations across the UK.
Here’s what you could pack into your visit…
Morning:
Start your day in Reading’s town centre at Reading Museum, just a two minute walk from the train station. The Museum provides full group tours or short introductory ‘wow’ talks allowing you to explore the galleries, including the Huntley and Palmer Galleries, under your own steam.
Don’t miss the British Bayeux Tapestry, the only full-scale replica of the world-famous Norman tapestry stitched in all its 70 metres of glory by 38 Victorian ladies.
The Story of Reading Gallery is the starting point for exploring the nearby Reading Abbey Quarter.
A guided tour organised via the museum will lead you through nearly 1,000 years of history, including the ruins of the 900 year-old Abbey which holds the burial place of King Henry I of England. There are views across to Oscar Wilde’s cell in the adjoining Victorian gaol building, complete with Reading’s very own Banksy street art showing an imaginary Oscar Wilde jail break.
The tour also includes a visit to Jane Austen’s school room in the medieval Abbey Gateway.
Jane was just ten years old when she attended Reading Ladies Boarding School with her sister and cousin. You can find out how the experience inspired her stellar writing career.
If the countryside is more your thing, Reading is home to the Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) which tells the story of food and farming through the ages.
The MERL does a group introductory talk before you explore the galleries. The studio can be booked for packed lunches and coaches can drop off in the car park.
Lunch:
The Pantry in the Alfred Waterhouse-designed Town Hall building is very handy after a Reading Museum visit for a convenient, simple lunch. Bill’s in the town centre has its own private dining room for groups and can take up to 56 in total.
If you visit on a Wednesday or Friday, Reading’s famous street food market offers you lots of choice for lunch.
Afternoon:
‘Reading-on-Thames’ has a picturesque stretch of river upstream to Mapledurham or downstream to Henley.
A family-owned river boat company that has just celebrated its 50th anniversary year, Thames River Cruise offers private and scheduled cruises, ranging from a 45-minute circular cruise to three hours with cream tea, lunch or evening drinks. Cruises depart from Caversham Pier in Reading with easy coach drop off at the pier.
Reading’s five-star hotel, the Roseate Hotel, is located next to Jane Austen’s school room and offers what has been described as Reading’s finest afternoon tea, including a Georgian menu as part of the Jane Austen 250 celebrations.
The National Trust’s Basildon Park became Netherfield, the grand home of Mr Bingley in the 2005 film of Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
The 18th mansion house and estate is located just outside Reading and has a special exhibition, Visions Unreel, showcasing the many films and TV series Basildon Park has played a role in, including period dramas.
Evening:
Before you leave, why not take the time to catch a show?
The historic Mill at Sonning Theatre, just outside of Reading offers groups a pre-theatre dining experience for a range of shows and there is coach parking on site.
A mill has been on the site since the Domesday Book but the productions you can see here are slightly more up-to-date!
The theatre also has matinees and all tickets include a two-course meal before the show and GTOs and coach operators can enquire about group booking discounts.
For more ideas and inspiration about a group visit to Reading, head to www.visit-reading.com.
