Renowned for its outdoor music festival and the beautiful River Thames frontage, Reading is a picturesque town in southern England. From ancient ruins to Victorian gardens, there are plenty of amazing places to see here.
Reading Festival – officially known as the Reading and Leeds Festivals – has put this town on the tourist map of England. If you visit in the month of August, you can join thousands of screaming fans as they listen to the latest and the most famous names in rock perform live at this outdoor festival. For something a little more mellow, take a cruise down the River Thames or Kennet, sailing past scenic stretches of abundant greenery, pretty homes and beautiful birds.
History rubs shoulders with culture at the red-and-grey brick-clad Reading Museum. Its Victorian Gothic architecture is quite impressive but not its main draw. The real star of the museum is the replica of the Bayeux Tapestry – a 70-metre piece of cloth depicting scenes from the Norman conquest of England. Abbey Ruins – where remains of a former royal monastery can be seen – is also a short stroll away.
For some quiet time in nature, head to Forbury Gardens, a formal garden from the 19th century with flower-lined paths, a decorative fountain and lawns where you can enjoy picnics. National Trust's Basildon Park will impress you with its stately manor and period furniture. Surrounding this 18th-century home are woodlands, meadows and gardens that are best explored through leisurely walks.