Tours in Reading

See this large historical market town in a new light

Discover Reading's history, story's & hidden gems

Tradition has it that Reading is the town of three Bs, beer, biscuits and bulbs. Let us share those three with you, and add a couple more; bricks and Bayeux, as well as Henry I’s abbey.

Not content with that, how about hearing about the Kennet and Avon Canal and Oscar Wilde’s Ballad of Reading Gaol?

Former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman wrote “few towns are less prepossessing at first glance than Reading, but few towns better repay exploration”. Let us go.

Customise your tour

Create your ideal day by selecting any of the options from the table below. Choose your distance, time or type of activity. At any point, feel free to get in touch and we will help you build the perfect tour for you and your group.

Type of activity	Approximate length	Ability
The Abbey Quarter, history and architecture	75 minutes (1 mile, 1.5 kilometres)	Gentle - for all abilities and ages
The Kennet and Avon Canal and other hidden delights	2 hours (2 miles, 3 kilometres)	Gentle - for all abilities and ages
The best of Reading	Half day, up to 4 hours (3 to 4 miles, 5 to 7 kilometres)	Medium - average level of fitness
Reading, the complete experience	Full day, up to 9 hours (distance variable)	Medium - average level of fitness

Discuss your unique needs for your trip?

Contact us

Learn about Reading's famous past and its characters

A 75- minute tour of the historic Abbey Quarter will introduce us to various Kings (Henry I, Edward IV, Henry VIII), such is the former importance of the place.

Alternatively there is much we can explore elsewhere; that great cross-country waterway the Kennet and Avon Canal, plus discovering the town’s old industries and its famed brickwork.

Half a day will allow us to show you the highlights of both of these tours. For a full day we could also see Reading Museum, with its replica Bayeux Tapestry, and the gallery of finds from Roman Silchester. Or we could have a boat trip on the River Thames or visit the fascinating Museum of English Rural Life.

Here is just a glimpse of what Reading has to offer:

Qualifications and accreditations

Member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding
Member of the British Guild of Tourist Guides
Blue Badge Guide for South and South East England 2011
Blue Badge Guide for South West England 2014
Ambassador for the Great West Way
Member of Friends of Reading Abbey
Guiding endorsement for Windsor and Eton
Member of Reading CIC

Sam Evans

Humphreys of Henley

Graham is one of our clients’ favourite guides! They tell us that he is not only informative, but fun and entertaining, bringing the stunning destinations across southern England to life. We love to introduce Graham to our clients because he finds out about them and makes the whole experience truly personal

British visitor

Hampshire

Thank you so much for all the work you put into a most interesting day in Reading yesterday. You were a wonderful guide.

Lin Wilson

Solent Events & Leisure

Thanks Graham and thank you for a superb tour yesterday. It was both interesting and amusing which we love! Everyone really enjoyed the whole day and are now eager to book my next one, which is great.