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Reading Etymology - Where Does the Name Reading Come From?

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 Readingas which means "Reada's People'' in Old English while Reada is thought to mean “The Red One”.

Reading Location

Located in Berkshire county, Reading resides between the River Thames and River Kennet which explains its history as a significant river port. Located right near the confluence of the two rivers, Reading’s suburbs stretch from the west into the Berkshire Downs to the south and south-east on the south side of the Kennet and to the north of the Thames into the Chiltern Hills. It is 37 miles (60 km) west of central London, 70 miles (110 km) east of Bristol, 24 miles (39 km) southeast of Oxford, and 42 miles (68 km) north of the English south coast.

Reading Climate

Weather and Temperature

Since Reading is situated 46m above sea level, its climate is considered to be warm and temperate. However, rainfall is the 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.

What to Pack and Reading Local Timing

This is one of the rainiest towns in the UK, so if you’re studying in Reading, you need to prepare with a comprehensive rain kit. A waterproof jacket or two is a must since you’ll likely do some walking in the rain. Rain boots should also be an essential part of your suitcase to avoid those muddy puddles. Don’t forget your umbrella and a waterproof cover for your backpack to keep your belongings safe. January tends to be very windy, so you’ll probably need to wear many layers of clothing. Make sure you have enough pullovers, sweaters, and socks to keep you warm. Reading follows the GMT time zone with no UTC/GMT offset and you should look out through the year for any timing change due to Daylight Saving Time. Keep this in mind when booking your travels and student accommodation in Reading.

Is Reading Rural or Urban?

To become a city in the UK, an area must have a royal charter which is received when it has a cathedral. Since Reading has a large abbey, a cathedral was never built, and therefore, it’s not considered a city but a town, despite its large size and population. In fact, Reading is the largest town by population in the UK, but it’s not completely urban in its nature. The town is a mixture of rural and urban areas which means you’ll have the liveliness of urbanism and the ability to unwind in the serene rural spots.

What are Some Must-Visit Places in Reading?

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 back 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 artifacts for 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.

Abbey Ruins

Founded by Henry I in 1121, the fascinating Abbey Ruins are situated right on the southeast of the beautiful Forbury Gardens, providing an interesting clash with the surrounding modern buildings. Despite its rough past being suppressed during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538 and its last abbot Hugh Cook Faringdon being hanged, the ruins now make for 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.

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 deers or enjoy the fresh air at the lake with a cup of tea from the nearby cafe.

Basildon Park

Built between 1776 and 1783, Basildon Park is a charming Palladian country house designed by John Carr and has an intriguing past. In the first world war, it was used as a convalescent home for officers and soldiers of 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 octagon drawing-room, staircase hall, dining room, and rose garden.

Reading Traditional Food

Cocks's Reading Sauce

When a simple fishmonger of Reading, James Cocks, made a sideline business of selling his version of dissolved-fish sauce dating back to 1789, he didn’t know it would be a signature sauce for Reading. His wife Anne was the one who created this sauce and passed it to him, and due to its success, it moved to be made in a specialized sauce factory in 1814. The Cocks were the ones who created the infamous bright orange label for the sauce that is now the go-to of English piquant liquid sauces. The sauce’s ingredients are walnut pickle, shallots, Indian soy, bruised ginger, mustard-seed, long pepper, anchovy, cayenne pepper, and dried sweet bay-leaves.

Eton Mess

Eton mess is a traditional Berkshire dessert that is now popular all over the world. It’s believed that it took its name from Eton college in the late 19th century during a cricket match with Harrow college. The story goes that someone who wasn’t playing dropped a strawberry and cream meringue on the floor, but still scooped it up and that’s how it came to be known as Eton mess. It was then served in the college’s truck shop originally made from a mix of fruit and cream. Now, it consists of strawberries, meringue, and whipped cream with some variations adding different kinds of fruits. The sweet delicacy is still served as a tradition in cricket matches between Eton and Harrow.

Berkshire Faggots

Faggots is a dish enjoyed all over the U.K, but Berkshire county created its own variation of it. Their recipe consists of pork scraps that are seasoned with chopped onions, sage, pepper and salt, then formed into balls and baked or stewed. To give them an even better kick, they’re best served with gravy.

Universities in Reading

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