Student Accommodation Reading

Student Accommodation in Reading

It's simple to reserve student accommodation in Reading with Casita. Reading is one of the most sought-after destinations for students in the UK, so you should start your search for student accommodation there as soon as possible to avoid not getting what you want. It won't be difficult at all to find your ideal student studio or en-suite accommodation when you have our team of housing experts at your disposal. Your needs can be met by one of our many Reading accommodation options, which include single rooms, shared rooms, ensuites, flats, penthouses, quadruplets, and more. These options include Kendrick Hall, Crown House, and CityBlock - Reading. To quickly secure a student room with Casita, get in touch with our bilingual, 24-hour staff.

About Reading

Located in Berkshire County, Reading resides between the River Thames and the River Kennet, which explains its history as a significant river port. Since Reading is situated 46 metres above sea level, its climate is considered warm and temperate. It’s not only the ideal location and weather, however, that should make you choose Reading as your study destination; there are also high-quality educational institutions and an appealing student life.

Reading University is the main university in the city. It was founded in 1892 as an extension of the University of Oxford. It has three major campuses within the UK, two of which are located in Reading and one on the banks of the River Thames in Buckinghamshire. Its fourth campus is located in Malaysia. The esteemed university is recognised globally as an award-winning research institution. It was the first university to receive the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1989.

The one thing you can enjoy the most in Reading is its nightlife. It offers a large number of cafes and restaurants serving up a variety of cuisines. Among the various things to do in Reading, you must try going to theatres, jazz clubs, festivals, and gigs at Rivermead Complex.

Reading History, Culture, and Facts 

Reading is a large university town in the county of Berkshire in the UK, located approximately 40 miles west of London. Its location in the Thames Valley boasts magical views right at the intersection of the River Thames and the River Kennet. Its vibrant history dates back about 1400 years. Reading’s weather is considered warm and temperate. However, it experiences a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, even in dry months, so you should be prepared for that while living in Reading, UK.

Reading was first known as Readingum when it was just a settlement in the 8th century. The name comes from an Anglo-Saxon tribe known as the Readings, which means "Reada's People'' in Old English, while Reada is thought to mean “The Red One”.

Since Reading is situated 46 metres above sea level, its climate is considered warm and temperate. However, rainfall is a frequent visitor to the town, with October and November being the wettest months and March witnessing the least amount of rain. The highest temperature in Reading is usually in July, with an average temperature of 17.3 °C. Temperatures drop drastically in January, reaching around 4.6 °C.

Best Places to Stay in Reading

Reading has an abundance of great neighbourhoods for students to live in. These neighbourhoods exhibit safety, convenience, comfort, and affordability. Of the best places to live in Reading, students often choose either East Reading or Reading Town Centre.

East Reading

East Reading is made up of the Newton and Park neighbourhoods, as well as Cemetery Junction. Due to its proximity to the town centre and the campus, it is regarded as the most populated student area in Reading. 

Reading Town Centre

This is one of the most lively parts of the city. It’s bustling with shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues. You can easily find transportation to campus there. This area is a lively one with a vibrant atmosphere, great Reading weather, and an array of different restaurants, pubs, and cafes for students to try.

Student Accommodation in Reading

Reading is an amazing city with several accommodation options for students to choose from according to their needs, budgets, and preferences. There are a lot of student-friendly locations that can attract a lot of attention because of their affordable lifestyles. The most sought-after student accommodation in Reading include Kendrick Hall, Crown House, and CityBlock - Reading.

Kendrick Hall 

This student housing in Reading offers a wide range of en-suite rooms for students to choose from. All units feature a bed, storage space, a study desk with a chair, a bedside table, shelving, and an en-suite bathroom. It also offers a lot of amenities and features that make students want to stay at this student home in Reading, including Wi-Fi, CCTV, a communal lounge, and a courtyard.

Crown House

This is another student home in Reading that offers a lot of amenities that attract students! One is the wide variety of rooms and studios it offers. Also, there are a lot of facilities that make the students’ stay even better, including Wi-Fi and all-inclusive utility bills. 

Cost of Living in Reading

When it comes to living expenses in Reading, research has shown that it requires relatively fewer expenses than in a city like London or New York, USA. This is measured in regards to rent, food, entertainment, transportation, utilities, and many other factors. Rent may cost around £100 to £200 per week. You may need up to $726 to cover your other expenses.

Transportation in Reading

Getting around in Reading is no hassle with its comprehensive public transportation system. You can get around the city of Reading and reach your student accommodation in Reading with ease, convenience, and affordability.

Bus: Reading’s bus service connects almost all parts of the town, operating every hour on most routes. However, buses are less frequent at night and on weekends, so make sure you check the schedule beforehand. If you plan to use buses for most of your commute, it’s more cost-effective to get a monthly or annual pass instead of paying a single fare for each ride.

Train Station: There is also a train service in Reading that can take you to neighbouring towns like London or Bournemouth. 

International Students in Reading

Reading is an amazing city that attracts a lot of students, especially international students, to study there. Because of the many famous landmarks, students find the city really interesting. Also, there are a lot of options for student houses in Reading that are located in close proximity to restaurants that offer different cuisines.

Student Life in Reading

International students usually look for a city that not only has top universities but also has a rich culture and history, which is something Reading boasts of. It’s also the best city to experience Freshers’ Week, with special events running throughout the whole week. It also hosts some of the biggest festivals in the UK.

Student Events in Reading 

Several fun events are taking place in Reading. All of these events are meant to make you feel at home and enjoy your days while staying in Reading. These events include:

1. Reading Emotions: This is an event that tackles a different theme every year, with 100–150 participants.

2. Photo Skills: Photography on iPhone: This event is for photography lovers. You’ll get to learn how to compose and capture a great shot, and share techniques for taking photos in any environment.

Attractions in Reading

Reading has a lot to offer. Reading’s well-known landmarks, tourist spots, and attractions include anything from parks and open spaces to museums and art galleries. In Reading, there is a place for you to enjoy whatever may interest you! Also, students can enjoy various free things in Reading.

1. Reading Museum

This charming town has quite an intriguing past, and you can get to know all about it at the Reading Museum. It dives through history to when Reading was only a Saxon settlement, then a mediaeval abbey, taking you through how it witnessed industrialization and became the cultural hub it is today. Highlights of the museum include the artefacts from the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, now known as Silchester. Don’t miss out on the country’s only copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, showing the Norman conquest of Britain.

2. Abbey Ruins

Founded by Henry I in 1121, the fascinating Abbey Ruins are situated right on the southeast side of the beautiful Forbury Gardens, providing an interesting contrast with the surrounding modern buildings. Despite being suppressed during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538 and having its last abbot, Hugh Cook Faringdon, hanged, the ruins now serve as a popular tourist attraction in Reading. Even though it was not used or tended to for over 500 years, the hospitium, a dormitory for pilgrims, is intact and is now a children’s nursery, and you can still enter the shell of the former chapter house. Perhaps the most famous fact about these ruins is that the Gothic abbey gateway on Abbey Square was once a school that the famous novelist, Jane Austen, attended.

3. Wellington Country Park

To take in some of the magnificent nature in Reading, head over to Wellington Country Park, where you’ll be surrounded by 350 acres of hardwood and softwood forest. Located in the Hampshire countryside, this charming green area was opened by the 8th Duke and Duchess of Wellington in 1974. It’s a great place to admire domestic animals like fallows and red deer or enjoy the fresh air at the lake with a cup of tea from the nearby cafe.

4. Basildon Park

Built between 1776 and 1783, Basildon Park is a charming Palladian country house designed by John Carr with an intriguing past. During WWI, it served as a convalescent home for officers and soldiers from the Berkshire regiments. During the Second World War, the house was used as a prisoner of war camp for Germans and Italians, which caused major damage to it. It was then completely dilapidated in the 1950s and was about to be demolished until Lord and Lady Iliffe worked on a thorough restoration. Now, it has never looked better with its enchanting octagonal drawing room, staircase hall, dining room, and rose garden.

Universities in Reading

Reading, a city with a significant population of local and international students, is home to many top-ranked universities and world-renowned institutions. Casita has options for student accommodation in Reading near the city’s universities; check some of them out below!

1. University of Reading

• Our accommodation options are within 15–25 minutes by public transportation.

• Earley Gate bus stop is right next to campus for faster access to your classes.

• Reading Abbey’s Market Place is a 25-minute walk from campus.

2. University of West London, Berkshire Institute for Health

• Choose one of our rooms within a 10-minute walk from campus.

• Castle Street bus stop is a few minutes' walk from the university.

• The Museum of English Rural Life and Reading Abbey Ruins are a short walk from campus.

3. University College of Estate Management

• Our accommodation options are almost all within a 5- to 10-minute walk from campus.

• London Street Foot and Oracle Riverside bus stops are a short walk from campus.

• The Reading Thames Beaches are a short walk from campus, as is Caversham Court.