Travel Guide
30 Minutes From London! Discover Fascinating Ruins & Cheaper Stays In This Underrated U.K. City
Apr
Oh, London. It seems like a half-day journey taking a bus into the city, yet you can escape to an unheard-of gem in just half an hour.
Make it make sense!
The big city life isn’t for everyone. In fact, it’s safe to say most tourists don’t traverse London properly anyway.
If you’re idea of London taps into nostalgia by years of watching The Parent Trap, where all you want to do is dodge tree branches atop a bright red double-decker and pray to all the gods it doesn’t rain, just a gentle reminder there’s more than meets ‘The Eye’, literally and figuratively.
Plus, London isn’t usually a draw for those of us with shallow pockets, but it can be done! However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy British delights elsewhere.
Approximately 30 minutes by train lies Reading, a city where old meets new that’s rarely listed on tourists’ travel plans, but definitely should be.
Old Meets New: Discover Fascinating Ruins In The Heart Of The City
Typically, ruins are a trek to reach, set outside the city, but that makes Reading all the more alluring with fascinating ruins backdropped by the urban cityscape.
The Abbey Ruins are Reading’s biggest draw for those in the know, but I asked my one born-and-raised London friend if she had visited Reading’s ruins and she had no idea what I was talking about!
London is such a gargantuan city to explore, even Londoners can’t cover it all let alone the treasure trove of wonders outside the sprawling city limits.
In its heyday, the Abbey Ruins were one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Europe, dating back to the era of King Henry I in the early 1100s.
Standing the test of time, the ruins are now the top attraction in Reading, and if more Londoners would stop working themselves into an early grave to pay overpriced rent for their flat, they’d realize one of England’s most storied sites is closer in reach than their work commute.
Over 900 years of history await those willing to give Reading a fair shake, and there are volunteer guides to show you around on Saturdays from March to September.
A recent visitor loved their experience, saying the site is an ‘Excellent and free attraction for fans of British history. And I expect Henry I was here often given he is buried nearby. Nicely tended and looked after by the council people too.’
Stay A Day Or Stay A Week: Just Don’t Skip Reading!
Whether it be Reading’s buzzing arts scene, jaw-droppingly cheap stays compared to London, or delightful cruises down the River Thames, Reading will likely be an add-on to a London trip for most, but it could easily become a mainstay for those who want to avoid London’s chaos.
Reading has 355,000 residents, while London has over 9 million, so it goes without saying there’s ample space to grab a (cheaper) pint at a local pub and enjoy a more laid-back lifestyle.
Besides visiting the Abbey Ruins, hopping aboard a scenic river cruise is a must. If you really wanna showing your Instagram followers you’re cultured, the Thames River Cruise offers a tea-themed cruise to tick off “afternoon tea in England” from your bucket list.
In fairness, there’s a lot more to do in Reading than one might expect, but given its relatively small size in the shadow of London, it’s easy to see why this under-hyped city flies under the radar.
But in addition to fun casinos, a thriving brewery scene, and an array of intriguing museums, overall affordability is a big draw too, especially for accommodations.
The following 4-star hotels are the 5 best values you’ll find in Reading this summer:
- Pentahotel Reading – $59
- Novotel Reading Centre – $74
- Hilton Reading – $78
- Crowne Plaza Reading – $82
- Voco Reading – $90
Quick Train Ride From London
Most Great Western Railway (GWR) trains offering nonstop routes to Reading are slated for a 23-minute ride, while others are upwards of 45 minutes.
In other words, check the schedule before booking.
Tickets can be purchased on GWR’s official website. The most common rate is $37 from London Paddington, but of course, subject to change.
The best part is you don’t have to worry about squeezing a trip to Reading in your schedule as there are trains scheduled all day long from 12:02 am to 7:30 pm.
Most importantly, don’t forget to ‘mind the gap’!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
