Read This Before You Think About Visiting Reading

You have been warned.

Reading and the greater Berkshire area is not for everyone.

In fact, we would strongly recommend avoiding it entirely… unless you are prepared for all of the following.

Only visit if you are ready to find a vineyard on a tube stop

Let’s get this out the way early.

Most people assume that if they want a proper vineyard experience, they need to disappear into the countryside for a full weekend, or spend a fortune on taxis and transport into the middle of nowhere.

Not here.

Just outside Reading, a short walk from the Elizabeth Line, sits Stanlake Park Wine Estate
https://stanlakepark.com/

One of the oldest wine producers in England, with vines dating back to 1979, where everything is grown, made and bottled on site.

If you are searching for a vineyard experience near London, this is about as easy as it gets.

You can:

• Sit in the wine bar overlooking the vines
  https://stanlakepark.com/wine-bar/
• Take a vineyard and winery tour
  https://stanlakepark.com/tours/
• Explore English wines made on site
  https://stanlakepark.com/shop/
• Pick up bottles from the cellar shop
• Stay here! Yes, we have our own accommodation:
  https://stanlakepark.com/accommodation

If that sounds like too much… Berkshire might not be for you.

Only come if you enjoy accidentally walking for hours along the River Thames

Reading sits on both the River Thames and the Kennet.

Which sounds harmless.

Until you set off for “a quick walk” and realise you have joined one of the most peaceful stretches of riverside in the South East.

The Thames Path runs right through Reading town, with miles of walking routes, wildlife, and dangerously well placed pubs along the way
https://www.visitthames.co.uk/explore/towns-villages/reading/things-to-do/

Whether you’re walking the river through Reading, or exploring further afield, unless you are not prepared to lose track of time completely, being taken in by stunning views and even better pubs and restaurants… best avoid.

A view of the river Thames at Sonning // Photo Credit: Tim Pritchard

Only visit if you have time for 900 years of history

Reading has a habit of catching people off guard.

One minute you are heading into town for a coffee… the next you are standing in the ruins of a medieval abbey.

Reading Abbey Ruins are one of those places that quietly stop you in your tracks. Founded in 1121 by Henry I, it was once one of the largest and most powerful royal monasteries in Europe, even serving as the king’s burial place. After over 400 years at the centre of religious and royal life, it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539 and largely dismantled, leaving the striking ruins you see today. Now set within Forbury Gardens, it is a place where you can walk through nearly 900 years of history in just a few minutes… whether you meant to or not.

If you time your visit right, you’ll find one of Reading’s many amazing festivals – Down At The Abbey. 

Down At The Abbey Music Festival at the Abbey Ruins // Photo Credit: Tim Pritchard

https://www.visit-reading.com/things-to-do/reading-abbey-ruins-p1278381

You are also a short walk from Reading Prison, a site tied to Oscar Wilde and one of the town’s most talked about historic landmarks.

This town has been:

• A medieval powerhouse
• A key site in the English Civil War
• A major centre of trade and industry
• And now… somewhere you can casually wander through all of it in an afternoon

If you are not into that sort of thing… you may struggle.

And if you are not paying attention… you might miss the Banksy

Yes, really.

On the wall of Reading Prison sits a genuine Banksy mural!

A prisoner escaping using bedsheets tied to a typewriter. A nod to Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned here.

It is the kind of artwork people travel across the country to see.

In Reading… it is just there, so if famous art isn’t your thing, don’t come to Reading!

If puzzles are not your thing, absolutely do not come

Because Reading has quietly become one of the best places in Europe for Escape Rooms.

Reading is home to a number of amazing escape room experiences, including Escape Reading, Knockout Escape Rooms and Deadlocked Escape Rooms, home of the Best Escape Room in the UK, according to TERPECA (Top Escape Rooms Project Enthusiasts’ Choice Award).

The Reading Witch is based on local folklore and encompasses a 2-hour experience including puzzles, codes and the odd jump scare.

https://deadlockedrooms.com/reading/

Not “pretty good”.
Not “worth a go”.

The best.

We are talking:

• Fully immersive, theatrical experiences
• Proper storylines, not just padlocks and codes
• Two hour games that people travel across the country (and world!) for
• The kind of experience that makes real memories

If you are expecting a casual activity before dinner, you have made a mistake.

This is a commitment.

The Reading Witch at Deadlocked Escape Rooms

Only visit if you are prepared to eat and drink properly local

Here is where things start to get dangerous because Reading is not just good for food and drink. It is good for amazing food and drink.

In the centre of town, there are a number of food and drink spots that are worth the journey alone. If you’re coming into town for some casual food and drinks, then you’re spoilt for choice. Largely within one spot: Blue Collar Corner, a social hub featuring local craft beers and amazing food vendors. Our recommendation is Mac’s Deli, who burst onto the local food scene in 2025 with some incredible sandwiches – their patty melt is out of this world. 

For fine dining, try The Reading Room at The Roseate, Reading’s only 5* hotel. Heading into Caversham, there’s high end Indian street food at Clay’s Kitchen – which has received some incredible reviews from the likes of Jay Rayner and Tom Parker-Bowles. 

If you want to avoid world beating vegan and vegetarian food then watch out for Vegivores, because you might just nourishing and indulgent dishes (paired with Stanlake Park wines!) might just make you rethink your food habits. 

This is just scratching the surface of Reading’s Restaurants and food and drink outlets, so if you’re a foodie, be careful coming to Reading because you might end up wanting to move here.

Links

• Clays Kitchen
  https://clayskitchen.co.uk/
• Vegivores (Caversham)
  https://www.vegivores.co.uk/
• Blue Collar Corner
  https://bluecollarstreetfood.co.uk/
• The Reading Room at The Roseate
  https://www.roseatehotels.com/reading/dining
• Mac’s Deli
  https://www.macs-deli.co.uk/

But after all that food, you’ll start noticing something else.

The Reading Room at the Roseate Hotel // Photo Credit: The Roseate Hotel

Avoid Reading if you like award winning, independent, local producers.

Producers. Berkshire is saturated with some incredible award-winning producers across the food and drink space. 

Village Maid Cheese

Village Maid Cheese is one of those proper local gems that quietly punches above its weight. Based just outside Reading in Berkshire, they have been producing handcrafted cheeses since the 1980s, supplying everyone from farm shops to top restaurants (and the Stanlake Park wine bar!). Their cheeses have picked up multiple British and international awards over the years, and in a slightly surreal twist, they were even mentioned in the new Spinal Tap film. If you are exploring local food in the area, this is exactly the kind of producer worth seeking out… or better yet, picking up alongside a bottle of wine at Stanlake Park.

Anonymous Coffee 

Local coffee pioneers, Anonymous, is a brilliant roastery focused on doing things properly. Based near Reading, they source high quality beans and roast in small batches to bring out clean, balanced flavours without overcomplicating things. It is the kind of coffee you notice straight away, whether you are starting your day or pairing it with something sweet. If you are exploring what the local area produces, this is exactly the sort of independent name worth knowing.

Henley Distillery

A small batch, independent distillery just down the road, producing a range of premium gins and spirits with a real focus on quality and craft. Known particularly for their award winning gins, they combine traditional distilling methods with carefully selected botanicals to create something that feels both classic and distinctive. It is another example of just how much is being produced locally… and why exploring beyond the obvious in this area always pays off.

Henley Distillery // Photo Credit: Tim Pritchard

You’ll find all of these local producers (and more!) in the Stanlake Park Wine Bar.

• Village Maid Cheese
  https://www.villagemaidcheese.co.uk/
• Anonymous Coffee
  https://www.anonymouscoffee.co.uk/
• Henley Distillery
  https://thehenleydistillery.co.uk/

And of course, what’s a good meal without a perfect drink to pair it with? Of course, avoid Berkshire if you don’t want to discover great English Wine, but also if you hate craft beer, then Berkshire is not for you. 

Do not come if you are “just having one drink”

Reading and Berkshire absolutely punches well above its weight when it comes to beer. In the last 10 years or so, some of the country’s finest breweries have burst into life in Berkshire. 

Founded in 2013, Siren Craft Brew was voted the best new brewery in the world. To this day, they remain one of RateBeer’s Top 100 Breweries in the World. 

Siren Craft Brew // Photo Credit: Tim Pritchard

At the 2026 SIBA Beer Awards, their neighbours Elusive Brewing picked up a number of awards, alongside another Berkshire brewery, Mysterious Brewing. 

Berkshire is home to a number of incredible breweries: Double-Barrelled Brewery, Dolphin Brewery, Elusive Brewing, Indie Rabble, Siren Craft Brew, Renegade, Loddon, Windsor & Eton, Two Flints, Indie Rabble, Delphic, and Stardust to name but a few. We’re proud to serve many of them in our Wine Bar!

Reading is also stacked with great bars, such as the Nags Head, Siren RG1, the Fox & Hounds, The Greyfriar and The Alehouse. 

The Fox & Hounds in Caversham // Photo Credit: Tim Pritchard

If you’re not looking for an amazing craft beer experience then avoid Berkshire! 

Only visit if you are ready for matchday

Reading has a football club that means a lot to its locals. Match Days bring the community together to cheer on their sporting heroes. But of course it’s not just Reading FC, there’s Reading FC Women, Reading Rockets Basketball and even a thriving Aussie Rules society, focussed around the Reading Roos. 

Matchdays bring a completely different energy to the town.

The Select Car Leasing (still known locally as the Madjeski) Stadium // Photo Credit: Tim Pritchard

It is not just about sports.

It is:

• pre match pints
• the walk or noisy bus to the stadium
• the atmosphere in the ground
• and everything that comes with it

Even if you are not a die hard fan, it is hard not to get swept up in it.

And avoid Berkshire if you don’t want world renowned rowing events!

Just up the road from us here in Twyford is the beautiful Henley, venue for the world’s most famous rowing event – The Henley Regatta. In fact, it’s where our wine, Regatta, gets its name from. 

Solveig Imsdahl and Elaine Tierney Competing at Henley Women’s Regatta 2024 // Photo Credit: TudorTulok/Wikimedia Commons

With  more than 300,000 visitors, the regatta has over 400 races across 6 days of competition. If this was your thing then we actually have our very own accommodation in Henley, The Old School House, which is a luxury period cottage just 10 minutes from historic Henley-on-Thames.

Only come if you love family days out

Berkshire is surprisingly strong when it comes to family friendly activities. Those of us with children are never without something to do on a weekend. As well as plenty of sports clubs, community events and social engagements, there’s a number of parks, animal farms and other days out for the kids.

For animal experiences, Beale Park is a go to for open space, animals and lakeside walks that keep everyone entertained, while The Living Rainforest offers something a bit different, with indoor tropical glasshouses filled with exotic plants, birds and reptiles. Then there is BCA Zoo, a smaller, hands-on experience where kids can get closer to a wide range of animals. It is the kind of area where you can easily build a full family day without needing a complicated plan.

• Beale Park
  https://www.bealepark.org.uk/
• The Living Rainforest
  https://www.thelivingrainforest.co.uk

It is one of those places where you can fill a full day without overthinking it.

Cinnamon the Sloth at The Living Rainforest

Don’t come if you don’t love shopping.

Reading boasts an incredible shopping experience, so don’t visit if you don’t love to treat yo’ self! The Oracle Shopping Centre brings in people from far and wide, with plenty of parking and a massive number of stores it’s a must visit – if that’s your thing. 

The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading // Photo Credit: Mark Percy

Away from The Oracle, the high street boasts a wonderful immersive experience. 

Outside of Reading, there are lively shopping experiences to be found in Newbury, Maidenhead and beyond. You’ll find all the big chains, but also plenty of smaller, independent boutique style shops.

• The Oracle for easy, all in one days out
  https://www.theoracle.com/
• Riverside walks, open spaces, and plenty of places to explore

Avoid Reading unless you love comedy and theatre

In the centre of Reading, amongst the restaurants and bars you’ll find The Hexagon theatre. With a regular flow of famous comedians, podcast recordings, theatre productions, live music and shows there’s something for everyone. 

For the smaller touring acts, you’ll find venues like South Street Arts centre hosting all the comedians “on the way up”, so don’t come unless you want to see the next big thing at a super reasonable price.

• The Hexagon (family shows and events)
  https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon

The Hexagon, Reading.

Final warning: it will probably start and end with wine

You might come for the history.

Or the food.
Or the football.
Or the riverside walks.

But you will end up here.

Because once you realise you can:

• get here easily from London
• walk from the station
• sit with a glass of wine overlooking the vines
• and experience a working English vineyard
• then step into a shop filled with the best local produce
• Stay in luxury vineyard accommodation (scroll to the bottom to find out more!)

…it becomes very difficult to justify not coming back.

Plan your visit
https://stanlakepark.com/visit-us/

This is not just a cellar shop.

This is a genuinely local showcase.

Inside, you will find:

• Wines grown, made and bottled metres from the shop
• Local cheeses (including Village Maid)
• Fresh bread
• Local beers
• Coffee from local roasters
• Tea
• Honey
• Gin and spirits from nearby distilleries
• A rotating selection of artisan products

It is the kind of place where you come in for a bottle…and leave with half a table’s worth of food and drink.

If you are looking for a true wine experience near London, this is it.

So yes… visit Reading if you insist.

Just do not say we did not warn you!

Find us on the map

Stanlake Park Wine Estate
https://maps.google.com/?q=Stanlake+Park+Wine+Estate

Getting to Reading (and Stanlake Park) from London

If you are planning a day trip from London, Reading is one of the easiest to reach.

• Direct trains from London Paddington in around 25 minutes
• Elizabeth Line services running directly into Reading
• A short taxi or quick walk from the station to Stanlake Park

Plan your visit
https://stanlakepark.com/visit-us/

So yes… you can leave London and be sat in a vineyard with a glass of wine in under an hour.

Which feels slightly unfair on everywhere else.

Intrigued by our Luxury Vineyard Accommodation? 

If you are coming to town for the sports, the history, the culture, the shopping, the independent producers, the live entertainment or any other myriad of reasons then nothing will better your experience more than a vineyard stay. Alternatively, if you want to be near Henley, then our School House accommodation is for you! Check out more about both of them below:

Find out more about our luxury accommodation. The North & South lodges are better for vineyard stays. The North Lodge caters for couples, whilst the South Lodge caters for bigger groups.

North & South Lodge »

The South Lodge