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Top 10 Things to do and see in Reading (Secret Reading)

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Oracle Shopping Centre
The Oracle Shopping Centre is perhaps the favourite place for students to visit in Reading. With lots of shops inside the Oracle and bars and restaurants on the riverside, it’s a must for those who enjoy browsing, spending and relaxing. There’s more to Reading though than the Oracle as you’ll find out here.

University of Reading
Whiteknights campus Reading is fortunate among universities in having such a large and green campus. The campus has all different natural landscapes from lake and woodland to meadow and garden. Take 20 minutes to walk beyond the Students’ Union and explore the wild campus and the Harris Gardens. You will find yourself in classic unspoilt English countryside where you can forget about the demands of being a student and just enjoy the nature and scenery.

Madjeski Stadium
In 2012 Reading Football Club won the Championship League, meaning they are now promoted into the Premiership playing all the top UK teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. These teams will all be coming to Reading town to play Reading FC at Madjeski Stadium. The stadium is also home to Reading’s Ruby club London Irish. To see sport at its best there’s no better place in Reading than Madjeski Stadium.
www.london-irish.com
www.readingfc.co.uk

Reading Museum and Abbey
Learn about Reading’s heritage. Reading Town Hall houses the Reading Museum, with 12 galleries of artefacts, exhibits and displays chronicling the history of Reading from back in the ice age, when the main inhabitants of Reading were gigantic woolly mammoths, through to the important industries that shaped modern Reading, such as biscuit making and brick making. Art exhibits are also housed here, it’s free to enter and after browsing at your leisure there’s also a café. In the museum you can learn about Reading Abbey in which the remains of King Henry I are buried. It is then only a short walk past Forbury Gardens to the remains of the Abbey in the Abbey ruins.

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Shows, concerts and entertainment
Reading has a number of venues, the largest of which is The Hexagon. It is close to the Council Offices on Queens Walk and hosts many big name comedy acts as well as concerts of both pop and classical music and theatrical shows. Other venues in Reading include the Concert Hall at the Town Hall and 21 South Street each hosting an array of different events. To see what’s on and to book tickets look at the Reading Arts web site: www.readingarts.com

Cinema
The cinema most students visit is Vue at the Oracle. However, Showcase Cinema at Loddon Bridge is another cinema in Reading and is bigger with 14 screens and often a larger selection of films. If you or a friend have an Orange mobile on Wednesdays there is a 2-for- 1 promotion at either cinema and as a teenager you can get 20% off at any time at Vue cinema. See web sites for more details: www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/locations/reading
www.myvue.com/cinemas/about-vue-cinemas/cinema/reading

The Reading wind turbine
With blades reaching 123 m high, the wind turbine at Green Park that generates electricity is perhaps the most famous wind turbine in the UK and is seen by millions each year who pass Reading on the M4 motorway. It is also seen by many as a symbol of the move towards greener forms of energy production. You can get up close to the gigantic wind turbine in Green Park and find out more about it from the information boards at the visitor centre near the foot of the turbine.

Readings parks and garden
The most famous of Reading’s public parks and gardens is Forbury Gardens with the large cast iron lion, locally called the Forbury Lion, standing proud and weighing a massive 16 tons. Other parks and gardens in Reading include Caversham Court Gardens on the bank of the Thames, Palmer Park and Prospect park. These are all free and a great place to play sports, relax and unwind.

The River Thames
Past the town centre on the north side of Reading is the River Thames. This can often be missed by students with the University situated to the south of Reading. Students who explore Reading though will know how delightful the river is. If you enjoy walking there are fantastic scenic walks along the river to Sonning to the East of Reading and Mapledurham and Pangbourne to the west. If you don’t like walking then take a boat cruise from Thameside Promenade near Caversham bridge to Mapledurham with cruises running every Saturday. See www.thamesrivercruise.co.uk for details.

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Reading Station Reading is fortunate to have excellent travel links to the rest of the UK. Make the most of these links by arranging trips to towns, cities and sites of interest within the UK many of which are accessible by train from Reading Station. Plan your journeys using National Rail Enquiries: www.nationalrail.co.uk/

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Cheapest petrol and diesel in Reading this week!

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Here are the current lowest petrol and diesel prices in Reading as of today, Wednesday, March 27th.

Fuel prices are on the rise nationwide, and for many drivers, refueling is an unavoidable expense essential for daily life. However, prices can vary between different fuel stations, making it important to seek out the best deals locally.

UNLEADED
Applegreen Reading (Lower Earley service station)141.8p per litre
Morrisons, Reading142.7p per litre
Asda, Lower Earley142.7p per litre
Tesco Reading Extra142.9p per litre
Tesco Reading West Extra142.9p per litre
Sainsburys, Calcot142.9p per litre
DIESEL
Sainsburys, Calcot150.9p per litre
Applegreen Reading (Lower Earley service station)151.8p per litre
Tesco Reading Extra151.9p per litre
Tesco Reading West Extra151.9p per litre
Morrisons, Reading152.7p per litre
Asda, Lower Earley152.7p per litre

This information was gathered using data from Petrolprices, that has been recommended to drivers by Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis.

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Rivermead Leisure Centre’s pools opening this summer

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Residents of Reading are well acquainted with the unpredictability surrounding project timelines under the administration of Reading Borough Council. Nevertheless, it has recently been announced that preparations are underway to fill the newly constructed swimming pools at Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading, Berkshire, marking a significant step forward in the enhancement of local leisure amenities.

The ambitious endeavor is projected to span a 12-day period, during which approximately 1,700,000 liters of water will be introduced into the pools, laying the groundwork for an immersive aquatic experience for visitors.

Rivermead Leisure Centre, which unveiled its gym, studios, and soft play area to the public in July 2023, is now gearing up to further enrich its offerings with the imminent opening of the 25-meter main pool, a dedicated teaching and diving pool, and the exciting addition of a new splash pad, all set to be available for use during the upcoming summer season, as confirmed by the Reading Borough Council.

Enhancing the spectator experience, the facility boasts two seating areas capable of accommodating over 250 individuals, reflecting the council’s commitment to fostering community engagement through a £40 million investment in leisure infrastructure.

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While the leisure center is under the ownership of the council, operational responsibilities rest with Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), operating under the Better brand, ensuring seamless management and service delivery.

Distinguished by its versatility, the primary eight-lane swimming pool features a partially movable floor, facilitating adjustments from poolside level to a depth of 1.8 meters (5.9 feet), catering to a diverse array of activities ranging from rehabilitative exercises to dynamic water aerobics.

Complementing this flagship pool is its counterpart, specially designated for instructional purposes, complete with a dive tower and springboard, promising an enriching aquatic education experience for learners of all ages.

Even as sections of the leisure center are already operational, including the well-appointed gymnasium, forthcoming amenities such as an accessible Changing Places room, equipped with a hoist, underscore the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all members of the community.

Adele Barnett-Ward, overseeing leisure and cultural initiatives at Reading Borough Council, expressed anticipation regarding the impending public unveiling of the pools, emphasizing their pivotal role in promoting health and well-being within the community. She further highlighted the anticipated appeal of the splash pad, envisioned as a focal point for family recreation and enjoyment.

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Symbolizing a moment of communal celebration, children from Oxford Road Community School congregated at the center to witness the inaugural flow of water into the expansive eight-lane pool, heralding a new era of aquatic leisure and recreation in Reading.

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Two chess boards have been installed in Prospect Park

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Two Berkshire parks, Prospect Park and Palmer Park in Reading, have recently been enhanced with concrete chess tables, designed to promote outdoor social interaction. These tables, complete with two-seater benches, create an inviting space for chess enthusiasts to gather and play.

The Reading Borough Council has facilitated this initiative, allowing individuals to bring their own chess sets or borrow one for a small deposit. In anticipation of the Reading Chess Club’s upcoming 125th anniversary, plans are underway to host tournaments at these tables during the summer season. David Deane, the club’s president, has expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing it as a “fantastic initiative.”

Funding for this outdoor recreation endeavor was sourced from Levelling Up and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds. Adele Barnett-Ward, responsible for leisure and culture at the council, highlighted the deliberate choice of Prospect Park and Palmer Park, recognizing them as vital community hubs. She believes that these chess tables have the potential to foster social inclusivity and combat isolation within the local communities, offering a free and accessible activity suitable for individuals of all ages.

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