A complete guide to Reading, Berkshire — what to see, where to eat, and door-to-door private chauffeur transfers from London from £200.
Reading occupies a commanding position at the confluence of the Thames and the Kennet, a county town that has evolved over twelve centuries from a monastic settlement into one of southern England's most dynamic commercial centres. Its Victorian terraces and modern glass towers coexist with genuine medieval remains, and the regenerated riverside and canal quarter give the town a character that rewards those willing to explore beyond its well-known commercial core.
The town's cultural self-confidence is considerable: Reading Festival, held annually on the August Bank Holiday weekend at Richfield Avenue, is one of the longest-established and best-attended music festivals in Britain. The university lends the town a youthful energy, while a succession of ambitious redevelopment projects — most recently the Station Hill quarter near the mainline station — are reshaping its skyline and ambitions.
Reading Abbey, founded by Henry I in 1121 and the site of his burial, was one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in medieval England before its dissolution under Henry VIII. The ruins of the abbey gatehouse survive in the abbey quarter near the town centre, and the adjacent abbey gardens are a tranquil place of reflection. Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol between 1895 and 1897, writing the celebrated prose poem De Profundis during his incarceration; the gaol building still stands, though its future remains a subject of civic debate.
Reading's food scene reflects both its demographic diversity and its growing aspirations, with a wide range of independent restaurants, pan-Asian eateries and riverside bars complementing the familiar national chains. The Oracle shopping centre on the Kennet has a well-developed waterside dining quarter, and the town's craft beer and independent coffee culture is notably strong.
The Thames Path passes through Reading and connects to extensive meadow and riverside walking in both directions: upstream towards Pangbourne and the Goring Gap, downstream towards Henley-on-Thames. Prospect Park, the town's principal Victorian parkland, offers formal gardens, a bandstand, a café and broad open lawns a short distance from the centre.
Reading has a lively arts infrastructure anchored by The Hexagon theatre and concert venue, which presents drama, comedy and live music throughout the year. The annual Reading Festival remains the town's most celebrated cultural export, having launched or amplified the careers of innumerable rock and indie acts since the 1970s.
Reading is one of the best-connected towns in southern England, with fast trains to London Paddington taking as little as twenty-five minutes. The town centre is walkable but the riverside and abbey quarter are best reached on foot; Knightsbridge Chauffeurs can set you down at the Oracle riverside for easy access to both.
Door-to-door, per vehicle, locked at booking — from Central London and every major London airport.
| From | Distance | E-Class | V-Class | S-Class · BMW 7 | Sprinter (16) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central London | 40 mi | £200 | £250 | £300 | £400 | |
| Heathrow Airport | 25 mi | £145 | £181 | £218 | £290 | |
| Gatwick Airport | 50 mi | £230 | £288 | £345 | £460 | |
| Stansted Airport | 80 mi | £320 | £400 | £480 | £640 | |
| Luton Airport | 55 mi | £245 | £306 | £368 | £490 | |
| London City Airport | 55 mi | £245 | £306 | £368 | £490 |
Fixed price, professional chauffeur, luxury fleet — your driver can wait while you explore, then carry you home.
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