Reading

城市概覽

There are several possible derivations of Reading's name, however, the true source is obscured. Reading holds several Royal Charters permitting Parliament to be held there during times of plague or rebellion in London. Reading grew rich through the medieval and Tudor periods thanks to a booming trade in cloth. The siege imposed by Parliament on the town during the English Civil War crippled the town's economy which never recovered. The economy of the town is historically most famous for the "three Bs" of biscuits (US English: cookies), beer and (flower) bulbs. However, information technology and insurance have replaced these traditional businesses. As such, it is not an obvious travel destination in its own right, but if you happen to be here on business, there is plenty to see and do. The Forbury Gardens, near the centre of town, have been restored to their original Victorian splendour. The adjoining Abbey Ruins, which reopened to the public in June 2018, are the remains of a once powerful abbey, sacked by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. They have long been held to be the burial place of King Henry of England. The Heritage Lottery Fund funding for the Reading Abbey Revealed project also included the Abbey Gateway, which was the former school room attended by Jane Austen. Reading is also home to the former jail in which Oscar Wilde was imprisoned for homosexuality and where he composed his famous "The Ballad of Reading Gaol". The prison closed in 2013 but the buildings remain and are to be preserved and redeveloped. Reading is at the heart of an attractive area of the Thames Valley, sitting across the confluence of the rivers Thames and Kennet amid green rolling hills, thatched cottages and pubs. It is surrounded by numerous small towns and villages such as Caversham, Thatcham, Pangbourne, Purley on Thames and Streatley, many of which are of great age and beauty. Much of it is now part of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty wi

如何抵達

By plane Reading is well served by London's collection of airports. For travellers coming directly to Reading, here are the most convenient (in increasing travel time) ones. The times given for road travel assume no hold-ups - at busy times or in case of bad weather, road maintenance or traffic accidents you should allow considerably longer, especially if travelling to the airport to catch a flight.

Heathrow Airport (LHR IATA) is about 40 min via the M4 motorway. It is also linked directly to Reading rail station by the RailAir express coach service running every 20 min or so and taking about an hour and, indirectly, by the Elizabeth line train service (change at Hayes & Harlington station). Luton Airport (LTN IATA) is about 65 min away via the M1, M25 and M4 motorways. Luton Airport Parkway connects the airport to Kings Cross station every 35 min, the tube to London Paddington station and then follow the directions below. Gatwick Airport (LGW IATA) is about 70 min away via the M23, M25 and M4 motorways. There is an hourly direct train service to Reading from the rail station in the South Terminal with a journey time of 75 min. Stansted Airport (STN IATA) is about 90 min away via the M11, M25 and M4 motorways. By train you will need to catch a Stansted Express train to London Liverpool Street station, the tube to London Paddington station, then follow the directions below.

By train

Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain 1 Reading station, Station Hill, RG1 1LZ. Served by inter-city and regional train services from many different directions, including through services from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester Piccadilly, Oxford, Plymouth, Exeter, Penzance, Portsmouth, Southampton, Swansea, Winchester, York, and the airports described above. (updated Apr 2022) From London, you should travel from London Paddington station and catch an intercity train whose first stop is Reading (there are several of the

當地交通

By foot The central area of Reading is easily traversable on foot. From the main rail station, you will be able to take in the Abbey Ruins, the Forbury Gardens, both rivers, both shopping centres, most (but not all so check) hotels, pubs and restaurants without needing more than shoe leather.

By bus Buses provide a moderately good way of getting around Reading (say 3–5 miles out), with several buses an hour on most routes during weekdays, and hourly services in the evenings and on weekends. Beyond that distance, bus routes are much less frequent, with often only a handful of buses per day. Route 17 (Earley Wokingham Road—Tilehurst via town centre) runs a 24-hour operation with buses every 7 minutes in peak hours.

Reading Buses, ☏ +44 118 959-4000. Provide bus services within Reading and some adjoining rural areas. Adult: single £2.00, all-day £4.00, 7-day £17 (£15 online), some discounts with smartphone app. (updated Sep 2016) Their fares are not particularly cheap, however, if going with a group of people, between 2 and 4 people, you can buy a group ticket for £9 (reduced to £6 in the school holidays or weekends). Reading's local buses have introduced contactless payments (credit/debit cards or Reading Buses' own payment card) to avoid the issue of having the correct change. When you board the bus, the driver will issue your ticket once the correct fare in coins is inserted into the slot. You can be smart though and buy either single, return, day or group tickets. For a trip planner see Planning your trip section at the United Kingdom page.

By taxi There are two sorts of taxis operating in Reading, although only black cabs are strictly allowed to call themselves taxis:

Taxis (Black cabs). The taxis proper (which are not always black but are always London style taxi vehicles) in theory operate from taxi ranks around the town and can be hailed in the street. In practice, the only place you can reliably find them is on the rank outside the rail station. Th

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Central Reading

Reading has several interesting sights to see within the central area.

1 Reading Minster (Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin), Chain St, RG1 2HX, ☏ +44 118 957-1057. A historic church from 11th century. (updated Nov 2015) 2 Reading Abbey Ruins & Forbury Gardens. These beautiful formal gardens were once part of Reading Abbey, and the ruins of the Abbey can be found between the park and the river Kennet. The Abbey's founder and benefactor was Henry I and he was buried in front of the high altar in 1136. The Abbey went on to become one of the most important religious and political centres in England. A few of the Abbey's buildings still exist intact, including St Laurence's Church and the Gateway, and the ruins themselves offer a fascinating glimpse of the abbey. Open during daylight hours. Free. The gardens were restored to their former glory and reopened in Spring 2005. The Abbey Ruins were re-opened in June 2018 following a £3 million Heritage Lottery Fund project