Basildon Park
Lower Basildon
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 9NR
United Kingdom

Tel: 0118 9843040

Basildon Park is a handsome Palladian style mansion set in beautiful and extensive parkland, just a few miles to the west of Reading in Berkshire. The grounds and house are a delight to explore; the former contains stunning collections of paintings, furniture and textiles. There is also a programme of special displays and events running throughout the year.

Beale Park
Lower Basildon
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 9NH
United Kingdom

Tel: 0844 8261761

Set next to the River Thames, Beale Park is to be found a little way from Reading town centre, in the Berkshire countryside. The park has a collection of exotic animals as well as birds and farm animals, while there are also children’s play areas and gardens and woods. In operation since the mid-1950s, the park is closed during the winter months.

The Living Rainforest
Hampstead Norreys
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 0TN
United Kingdom

Tel: 01635 202444

The Living Rainforest is the only tropical rainforest anywhere in the UK, and can be found just a few miles to the north-east of Newbury in Berkshire. It opened in 2000 as a centre for research and education on the unique relationship between rainforests and people. The faithfully created environments and their enchanting inhabitants focus on six different areas: plants, animals, ecosystems, human needs, economies and cultures.

Mapledurham House
Mapledurham
Reading
Berkshire
RG4 7TR
United Kingdom

Tel: 0118 972 3350

Mapledurham House is a lovely Elizabethan mansion which is set beside the River Thames. It is home to one of the country's last working watermills (producing wholemeal flour) and also features delightful gardens, a gift shop and tea rooms.

Museum of English Rural Life
6 Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
United Kingdom

Tel: 0118 931 8660

The Museum houses a national collection depicting farming crafts and the countryside way of life over the past 150 years. The fascinating and surprising exhibits will appeal to all ages. Specialist visitors may consult the extensive documentary and photographic archives by appointment.

Museum of Reading
The Town Hall
Blagrave Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 1QH
United Kingdom

Tel: 0118 939 9800

The Museum of Reading is set in the town centre in the town hall and of particular note is its copy of the famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It also boasts a collection of artefacts which were uncovered in Silchester just outside Reading. Other exhibitions include the Huntley and Palmer’s Gallery and the John Madejski Art Gallery.

Reading Abbey
Kings Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 4AE
United Kingdom

Reading Abbey is set at the heart of the town and despite being in ruins today a number of its walls still remain. The abbey was erected in 1211 and eventually became the site of the burial of Henry I, after the King founded the building and oversaw its early days. Today the abbey is situated next to Forbury Gardens on one side and the prison and canal on the other.

Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology
University of Reading
Shinfield Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AA
United Kingdom

Tel: 0118 3786661

The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology is recognized as the fourth largest collection of Greek ceramics in Britain. The collection, located onsite at the University of Reading, primarily consists of material from the Greek and Græco-Roman civilizations of the Mediterranean.