Review by Edward Lever(15th July 2014)

A historically important town now strangled by the motor-car
Reading has a rich history and at one time was the location of one of the most important Benedictine Abbeys in England (until dissolved by Henry VIII and now even the ruins of the Abbey are inaccessible to the public). Over the years, Reading became a major market town and in Victorian times, with its position on the Great Western Railway, became a wealthy industrial town. Many famous manufacturers were based in Reading, such as Huntley & Palmers Biscuits and other large manufacturers. Other industries such as aviation and electronics came along later. The town has not coped well with the advent of the motor-car. The road layout of Reading is still based on the medieval road plan and there are only two river crossings across the Thames connecting to the north. Traffic jams in Reading are the stuff of legend, since at one time the major road through Reading (the A4) was the only way for Londoners to get to Devon and Cornwall. Despite its poor road system, its status as a hub for other transport links is excellent. The railway station has recently been modernised, and Heathrow Airport is easily accessible by a dedicated coach service. The M4 motorway runs a few miles south of the town. Reading in recent years has become a multi-cultural town, and English is not often heard spoken in the town centre. The local government of Reading is firmly to the left, leading some residents to refer to the town as the PRR (People's Republic of Reading). The town centre is well provided with good shops and is safe for visitors during daylight hours, although street-begging can be a problem. Caution is needed later at night, where the alcohol culture occasionally leads to rowdiness and fisticuffs. Reading is a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside, being about equidistant between Oxford and London. The River Thames and River Kennet flow through Reading, so the town has quite a 'watery' feel, which to some extent offsets the less desirable aspects. In summary, Reading is a good base to get to other parts of the south-east, and is less expensive than London.
3 stars - Average

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