As the exam period is finally over and we have all finished our exams, many of us have a lot more spare time during the summer period, and some students may feel as though they are not sure how to fill that time. Especially if you are staying in Reading, for example as an international student or if you have a 51 week contract in Halls (as I do), you may feel as though everyone is gone and there isn’t much to do. Here I will give you 10 ideas for inspiration for things you can do in Reading over the summer period to have fun, make the most out of your time here and see what Reading has to offer.
Reading Festival
One of the most well-known events in Reading over the summer is the Reading Festival, taking place this year between 21st-25th August. This is great if you enjoy music, and if you have friends you’d like to go with to have some exciting memories. If you are a fan of music, this is a great option to look forward to and make plans for.
Visit the Museums in Reading
If you want to find out more about history and culture, there are many Museums in Reading that you can visit. Admissions are also free making this an affordable trip for all students. Museums can be a great way to learn about Reading and it’s history, as well as seeing some beautiful sights.
One museum you may want to visit is Reading Museum which has exhibitions on art, archaeology, history and natural history. It also runs an events programme including the regular Museum Surgery and Reading Abbey Quarter Tours.
Another great Museum to visit would be The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) This is one of the few museums that the university has. The MERL explores the history of the English countryside and its people. On Whiteknights campus, you can also visit the Ure Museum and the Cole Museum.
Finally the Museum of Berkshire Aviation is a great option for those interested in aircrafts. The Museum, is located at the historic site of Woodley Airfield, near Reading, U.K. – once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry.
Go Climbing/Bouldering
If you enjoy exercise or want to try out something new, there are several places (3 in total) in Reading for indoor climbing and bouldering.
This can be an excellent way to build muscle, train yourself and learn a new skill. It can also be a great opportunity to meet new people with similar interests. Climbing/bouldering has a great community and can help you meet lifelong friends.
Visit the cinema
The Vue Cinema, which is located at the Oracle can make for a great outing, whether you go by yourself or with friends. It can be a great change to staying inside and watching a film at home. As it it located on the riverside you could grab a bite to eat before/after the film at one of the many restaurants on the riverside.
You can also visit the Showcase Cinema in Winnersh.
Visit Forbury Gardens
If you like nature, scenery and want to make the most of the nicer weather (if it ever actually arrives), you can plan a visit to Forbury Gardens. Situated in the centre of Reading Town, the gardens offer amazing views, fountains and flowers. You could have a nice picnic with friends or on your own, soak in the sun (we don’t get a lot of chances in the UK) and with it being so close to the town centre, you can get yourself a nice cool drink from a cafe.
Try the Escape Hut
The Escape Hut offers escape rooms for groups that are packed with exciting puzzles and challenges. If you enjoy problem solving, challenges and being active this is for you. You’ll have to work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out.
Try water sports
There are many different places in and around the Reading area that run water sports.
If you’ve ever wanted to try out kayaking, paddle boarding or using a boat, the Wokingham Waterside Centre has a range of different activities and events anyone can attend with reasonable prices. This can be a great thing to do with friends for a day out, or on your own for a bit of exercise, new scenery and a change of pace.
Dinton Pastures activity centre also offers a range of water activities such as boat hires, open water swimming, paddle boarding, sailing and more. It also offers different indoor activities too. There is something for everyone.
Visit the Oracle shopping centre
Although many of you have probably already visited the Oracle, taking a day out with friends during the Summer to try out seasonal menus, see and buy seasonal clothes and get a feel for a different atmosphere compared to Winter can feel refreshing (especially with no exams to stress about).
Partake in Home At Halls Events
If you haven’t already done so and are staying in Halls, you can start taking part in Home At Halls events which are regular and can be found on the Home At Halls app or on your email. This can be a good way to meet students that are also staying in Reading over the summer break and find fun activities to do with other people if you feel more lonely now that the majority of students have left Campus.
Volunteer
If you want to meet new people, add to your CV, complete the RED Awards and gain new life experiences, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities in Reading over the Summer. You can view current opportunities on the Reading Borough Council website or the University of Reading website.
There are plenty of opportunities and ways to spend your summer in Reading, with recreational activities ranging from exercise (e.g. climbing/bouldering, kayaking) to watching movies to visiting museums. There are also volunteering opportunities if you are interested in helping the local community, meeting new people and getting a better understanding of different subjects and areas of interest.
Plan out what interests you most from the list of 10 ideas, and make a rough itinerary to give yourself an idea of what you may want to try out over the summer period. With plenty of free time, you can try out whatever you enjoy, and if nothing I have listed is to your liking, finding something to your taste and preference on Google is also quite simple!
Excellent article, but you left out the Biscuit Factory cinema