Lifestyle
With the arrival of the Oracle shopping centre, the riverside complex and the refurbishment of the Broad Street Mall, Reading is now one of the UK's top 10 retail destinations. The town also boasts a hugely diverse range of restaurants and has a vibrant nightlife. There are over 100 clubs and bars in a huge variety of styles, from modern wine bars to traditional public houses. You can experience an eclectic mix of cultural venues, with events ranging from classical music at the Town Hall and drama at the Hexagon to the Reading Rock Festival, which attracts people from all over the UK and Europe.
The town has a long and interesting history and local people and tourists can visit Forbury Gardens, the Abbey ruins and the infamous jail that imprisoned Oscar Wilde. Reading is also a hotbed for sports and the town's many attractions include the magnificent 24,000-capacity Madejski stadium and the prestigious race courses of nearby Ascot and Newbury.