Reading
Reading has earned itself a key role as a major commercial, retail and transport centre. It’s the HQ town of choice for several national high-tech companies, a main junction for the national rail network and it’s just 40 miles from central London. The focus isn’t just on work though, the Reading Festival in August rivals Glastonbury, and the Reading Beer Festival is the largest in the UK, putting the town firmly on the UK festival map. Reading may be classified as a town, but it offers city-sized amenities and is a great place for your new home.
On the move
An impressive transport infrastructure supports an impressive list of major companies that call Reading home. The M4 passes to the south of the town, and it takes about an hour and a half to drive into central London. It’s also the key route for Swindon and Bristol. You can cut the journey time to London down to half an hour with Great Western mainline train services into the city. Heathrow Airport is just 25 miles away and there’s an express bus service link from Reading. The A33 takes you south to join the M3.
Amenities
You are spoilt for shopping choice in Reading. As well as the out-of-town hypermarkets, you’ve got the central Broad Street as the main shopping area. It runs between the Oracle and Broad Street Mall, the town’s largest shopping centres. There are three smaller arcades: The Bristol and West Arcade, Harris Arcade and The Walk. For a good old browse, there’s a street market in Hosier Street and a farmers’ market 2 Saturdays per month. Sport and leisure are not left behind, and if you support Reading Football Club, you’ll enjoy cheering them on at the Madejeski Stadium which has a seating capacity of 24,000. There are several leisure centres to choose from, and if you prefer to be outside, there are plenty of parks with outdoor sports facilities. Not forgetting the Thames – a perfect natural amenity on your doorstep.
Out of town
Reading is very close to the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that stretches across several counties. You can stretch your legs to your heart’s content with a real sense of getting away from it all. Find a pub in rural Berkshire, watch the world go by on the water at Henley or spend a day taking in the famous spires of Oxford.