About reading

Reading is an important commercial centre in the Thames Valley and Southern England. Reading is in Berkshire county. Berkshire has been governed by the six unitary authorities of Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham. The ceremonial county borders Oxfordshire (to the north), Buckinghamshire (to the north-east), Greater London (to the east), Surrey (to the south-east), Wiltshire (to the west) and Hampshire (to the south).

Reading is 37 miles (60 km) due west of central London, 24 miles (39 km) southeast of Oxford, 70 miles (110 km) east of Bristol, and 42 miles (68 km) north of the English south coast. The centre of Reading is on a low ridge between the River Thames and River Kennet, close to their confluence, reflecting the town’s history as a river port. Reading town hosts the headquarters of several British companies and the UK offices of foreign multinationals, as well as being a major retail centre-Oracle and home to Reading FC football club.

Finding your way around Reading – Arriving by air

Heathrow airport is approximately 40 minutes from Reading by the direct Rail Air Link. This is generally a faster route than taking the Heathrow Express train service which takes you into Paddington, London where you will need change to get a train to Reading.

Arriving by Train

Reading train station is a mainline train station and is easily accessible from most other places in the UK.

There is a regular train service between Reading and Gatwick Airport, the journey time is around 1 hour and 20 minutes. There are direct rail links from many major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, and Exeter as well as a number of routes through London. Find out more at the National Rail website.

Travelling from London

If you are travelling from or via London, the quickest route to take is from London Paddington station.

Trains from London Paddington to Reading run approximately every 15-20 minutes throughout the day and the average journey time is around 30 minutes. Find out more at the National Rail website.

Facts about Reading

Reading is the largest town without city status in the UK.

Reading is home to the world’s longest running rock festival, the Reading Festival. The University of Reading was founded in the 19^th century as an extension college of the University of Oxford. It is now ranked as one of the top 200 universities in the world.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital

in Reading (or Royal Berks for short) was built in the 19th-century, as a direct result of the building of the Great Western Railway. During the construction of the railway, so many people sustained serious injuries that the hospital was built in response.

Reading Abbey was built by King Henry I of England as his final resting place. The Abbey in its pomp was one of the most imposing buildings in Europe. The Abbey Ruins reopened in 2018 following a major conservation project

The Lower Earley development, built in 1977, was one of the largest private housing developments in Europe. A major town-centre shopping centre, The Oracle, opened in 1999, is named after the 17th-century Oracle workhouse, which once occupied a small part of the site. It provides three storeys of shopping space and boosted the local economy by providing 4,000 jobs.

About NDI-IGBO

Ndi Igbo Reading (UK) is a non-profit association organised to foster the spirit of Brotherhood, sisterhood, and cooperation. Our mission is to promote greater social interaction, networking, economic prosperity, and cultural heritage among the Igbos resident in Reading of Berkshire county and adjoining towns

Useful Links

Useful Links

Ndi-Igbo Secretariat

Reading, Berkshire, United Kindgdom