The 21 areas of Reading

The RG1 core — station, Oracle mall, Friar Street bars, and the Abbey Ruins all inside a 15-minute walk.

Reading's leafy north-bank neighbourhood across the Thames — cafes, delis, and the closest thing to a village feel in the city.

Hilly west Reading suburb with its own train station, big Victorian houses, and quick trains to Paddington.

East of Reading, dominated by the University of Reading's Whiteknights campus — leafy, studenty, and quietly well-connected.

Small town east of Reading — pedestrian precinct, aviation heritage, and cheap chain hotels near the M4.

One of Europe's largest private housing developments, built in the 1980s — quiet, green, and close to the M4 and Winnersh Triangle.

South Reading along the A33 — post-war housing, football stadium, and quick access to Green Park's tech campuses.

Quiet south-west Reading suburb with canal access and easy trains — cheap, unglamorous, and functional.

Elevated village-like suburb on the ridge above Caversham — pond, cricket pitch, and views back over Reading.

Prettier-than-Reading Thames village 8 minutes west by train — meadow, weir, and the pub where Kenneth Grahame drank.

George Clooney's village — 18th-century brick bridge, half-timbered pubs, and Thames views for people with real money.

Independent-town-centre alternative to Reading — Georgian core, Wednesday market, and 20 minutes to Waterloo.

Regatta town 30 minutes north — Georgian bridge, rowing museum, and the most photographed stretch of the Thames.

Post-war new town rebuilt in 2017 as The Lexicon — corporate hotels, Waitrose, and easy Reading/M4 access.

Kennet & Avon canal town with a racecourse — 25 minutes west of Reading and a proper working market town.

The castle, the Long Walk, and the shortest Thames crossing to Eton — 30 minutes east of Reading and always busy.

Elizabeth Line commuter town on the Thames — Brunel's rail bridge, Boulter's Lock, and a slick central rebuild.

The obvious day trip — 25 minutes north by train, medieval colleges, and more cyclists than sense.

M3 corridor town 20 minutes south — Festival Place shopping, corporate HQs, and cheap hotels for London-adjacent stays.

Suspension-bridge Thames town north of Reading — Michelin stars, boutique shops, and where Tom Kerridge cooks.

The racecourse and the Royal Meeting — the reason to visit — plus a small town of pubs and expensive houses.