Car Rental Reading

Like many towns close to London, Reading enjoys an excellent road network linking it to the UK capital and beyond. It lies just off the M4, a major motorway running across the south of England, beginning in west London. The route continues out of Reading towards Swindon, Bristol and Cardiff in South Wales.

You can access the M4 from Reading by heading south on the A33. This route also continues south towards the M3 motorway, providing access to major London commuter towns including Woking, Guildford, Aldershot and Basingstoke.

The centre of London is less than 70km east of Reading via the M4, but journeys in and out of the capital - and even its surrounding areas - are subject to heavy traffic, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. The M4 also provides a link between Reading and the M25, known as the London Orbital Motorway, which encircles the outer reaches of the city and takes in towns like Watford and Slough.

North of Reading, it’s easy to reach the historic university city of Oxford in your rental car by travelling along the A4074. Beyond this, the A44 and M40 lead north into the Midlands, with destinations like Birmingham and Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon all within a few hours’ drive.

One of the most important routes for driving around Reading is the Inner Distribution Road, a part of the A329 that creates a ring around the town centre. Meanwhile Oxford Road, which begins in the town centre near Broad Street, leads west towards the city of the same name. There are many pay-and-display parking lots around the centre of Reading where you can pay with cash or card, including at Chatham Street and the Oracle shopping centre.

With easy access to London and the wider Thames Valley, Reading is the perfect destination to explore with your rental car. From town centre highlights to day trips further afield, it’s all within easy reach during your stay.

Historic tales

A star attraction of any visit to Reading is the town’s museum, situated on Blagrave Street. It’s packed with fascinating local artifacts, including finds excavated at Silchester, a Roman settlement just south of the modern town centre. You can find these items, including mosaics, tools and coins, in the museum’s Silchester Gallery.

Also not to be missed is the museum’s full-sized replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, created by Victorian craftswomen. Special guided tours are available, where you can learn more about this incredibly detailed reproduction and, of course, the original iconic masterpiece depicting the 1066 Battle of Hastings, exhibited at the Musée de la Tapisserie in Bayeux, France.

Royal ruins

Not far away from the museum lies another of Reading’s historic highlights - its ruined abbey. Founded by Henry I in the 12^th century, the structure was destroyed during the 16^th century Dissolution of the Monasteries. Today, its shell is open to the public, with the remains of some of its former rooms still visible.

Once you’ve explored the ruins, head into the surrounding area known as the Abbey Quarter. Beyond the restored Abbey Gateway lies a Victorian park, Forbury Gardens. Home to ornamental gardens, a bandstand and the Maiwand Lion war memorial statue, it’s a peaceful spot for an afternoon stroll or family picnic.

Riverside walk

Head out of the bustling town centre to discover a more tranquil side to Reading. Directly accessible from Forbury Gardens, the Kennett and Avon Canal Walk takes you along a tree-lined towpath next to the waterway. This eventually leads all the way to Bristol, more than 120km away near the Welsh border.

Closer to home, the charming village of Sonning is within walking distance of Reading and offers beautiful waterside scenery which you can enjoy from one of its traditional cafés or tearooms.

After all that walking, be sure to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation at the Thames Lido, a recently restored attraction built on the site of a former Edwardian ladies’ bath. Today, it boasts an outdoor pool and a dining area, with spa packages available if you’re celebrating a special occasion or just deserve a treat. 

Georgian splendour

Just a short drive north of Reading town centre in the Chiltern Hills, Basildon Park is the perfect destination for a day trip. This stately home, gardens and parkland have been lovingly restored to their former splendour. They’ve recently served as filming locations for historic dramas such as Downton Abbey and Pride & Prejudice.

The Georgian mansion house and its surroundings are now operated by the National Trust and are open to the public all year round.

With a rental car, you can set your own itinerary and explore all this and more during your stay in Reading.