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. 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. 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 River Kennet, which explains its history as a significant river port. Since Reading is situated 46 m above sea level, its climate is considered to be warm and temperate. It’s not only the ideal location and weather, however, that should make you choose Reading as your study destination, there’s also the high-quality educational institutions and appealing student life.

Best Places to Live in Reading

Reading has plenty of neighbourhoods and areas for students to call home during their study period. The best places to live in Reading include East Reading and 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. Our student accommodations there include Central Studios Reading and New Century Place.

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. Our student accommodations in Reading Town Centre include Crown House and Queens Court.

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. 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 commuting, it’s more cost-effective to get a monthly or annual pass instead of paying a single fare for each ride. There is also a train service in Reading that can take you to neighbouring towns like London or Bournemouth.    

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.

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 Medieval 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 and has 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

As a city with a significant population of local and international students, Reading 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 a 5-10 minutes 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 well as Caversham Court.

Nearby Cities

Besides having facilities for student accommodation in Reading, Casita offers student accommodation in these UK cities as well: London, Southampton, Coventry, Bristol, Birmingham, and Leicester.