Reading is an affluent university town on the banks of the Thames, just a 25-minute train ride from London. It's a great place to enjoy riverside walks and boat trips, visiting traditional pubs and restaurants along the way. There are stately homes in the surrounding area, including Mapledurham House – reputed to be the inspiration for Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows.

The city offers plenty of shopping locations and nightspots, while the history of this ancient community can be explored at Reading Museum. On a sunny afternoon, you should also have an idyllic amble through Forbury Gardens.

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  • 5 Best Places To Go Shopping In Reading

    The best places to go shopping in Reading entice with their modern precincts, indie boutiques and historic arcades. They are home to all kinds of merchants, including old-world tobacconists and bang-on-trend record stores. This medieval river town might be known for its ruined abbey, iconic music festival and burgeoning food scene, but it's also made a name for itself as...

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