Reading is a historic town In Berkshire, England, and tends to be disregarded by visitors in preference for cities such as London or Oxford. Nevertheless, there is a lot one can discover about Reading, including its history, culture, and incredible scenery, if one is willing to take the time to discover it. When going on a trip or even if you are a resident in the area, some of the best secrets behind Reading can be found using a taxi. The essence of traveling by taxi is the vehicle’s flexibility, such as visiting some places that are out of the car- or train-accessible areas. In this blog, Galaxy Cars will give you a virtual taxi tour around the hidden gems in Reading that you may need to learn about.
Top Hidden Gems in Reading Visited by Taxis
1. Basildon Park
It is situated just ten minutes by taxi from the town centre of Reading, and it provides a brilliant and vivid idea of the noble English country house of the XVIII century. This beautiful Georgian house allows the guests to discover the beauty of the mansion’s interiors, take a walk amid the park and garden, or view the valley over the River Thames.
One has to mark that Basildon Park is in the National Trust, so people who like history will like it. The estate has also been used in several films and television programs, such as Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey, which gives it a fancy Hollywood feel. Based on your discovery, hiring a taxi to take you back to central Reading is easy for your next self-exploration.
2. Caversham Court Gardens
Caversham Court Gardens, for instance, is located along the river Thames and shows a wing of quiet river views and space for relaxation next to the noise of busy working days. Taxis are available here, and you will find this place as a small and calm garden with historical garden areas, a range of old trees for viewing, and riverside benches to sit on.
Caversham Court Gardens have been around for many years, with parts of the site being medieval as once part of an old manor house. Currently, it is just a beautiful lawn with flowers incorporating beautiful colors, and it is relatively peaceful for an afternoon. Though it is somewhat off central Reading, a taxi ride will help you arrive in style and on time.
3. Reading Abbey Ruins
Culture, especially literature, is deeply rooted in the Middle Ages, and one of the most important attractions of the town is the Reading Abbey Ruins. This used to be one of the greatest and the richest, founded by King Henry I in 1121, with lots of power to dominate during its existence. Although a good part of it was destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, the remnants from this place are pretty thought-provoking.
For many a soul, the remains are hidden in Forbury Gardens, an area rarely visited even though it is in the middle of the town. Transportation: reckoned to be reached by taxi, and there is usually some walk from the garden to the actual ruins site. Also, it will be interesting to visit the Forbury Lion, a monument to the soldiers of the Crimean War.
4. The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
On Reading trips, many guests pay attention to shopping malls and restaurants, but The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) is a gem that presents the history of farming and rural life in the country. MERL is deemed part of the University of Reading and is in a Victorian house near the city center.
Includes various interactive attractions devoted to the pre-industrial village way of living, implements used in the rural agricultural period, and the country’s history, making the guests observe the English countryside frame. They rotate; therefore, one is bound to see something new each time they visit the exhibits. Taking a taxi to University of Reading after a few hours of tour at the museum to your next stop is also not challenging.
5. Silchester Roman Town
Another exciting place to visit if one is in the mood for some historical touch is the Silchester Roman Town, which, in fact, any fan of antiquities and casual explorers, is within driving distance from Reading. Now called Silchester, it was called Calleva Atrebatum in the Roman period and allows tourists to walk in the ruins of a typical Roman city.
Minova town boasts well-intact Roman walls, which we can walk all over to discover ancient town planning. Even their theater is one of the largest in Roman Britain, so don’t miss it. This gem is somewhat removed from most of the other sights on this list and thus is perfect for a taxi ride, eliminating the need to navigate the country roads.
6. Mapledurham House and Watermill
There is a need to take a taxi to Mapledurham House and Watermill for those interested in visiting stately homes. This unique mansion is in a picturesque place near the River Thames and was built in the 16th century. The house is still private, but the public can tour the glorious rooms, walk through the well-maintained lawns, and check on the operational water mill, one of the only few in the region.
Mapledurham House is a historical building also used as a location for movie shooting for films such as The Eagle Has Landed. However, one can hire a taxi after exploring the estate and be dropped back to Reading or any other gem hidden discovery.
7. The Harris Garden
Located within the University of Reading, the Harris Garden is a fantastic botanical garden that provides a perfect retreat from the din of the urban setting. Situated approximately 4 kilometers from the town’s central business district within a taxi ride, this garden is best for plant lovers and those who wish to have a peaceful time in a serene green landscape.
According to its design, the garden is divided into a walled garden, a wildflower meadow, and a planted bed area. But it is an excellent place for a walk or lunch. It does not receive the attention of some of the other more extensive parks in Reading, so it is possible to find a quiet spot.
8. Beale Park
The first one is Beale Park, which is family-oriented and an excellent place to visit. Off the shore of the Thames, this place provides a wildlife park and gardens that families and children can enjoy. There are animals in Beale Park, including meerkats, owls, lemurs, etc., plus attractive gardens, a train trip, and a big play area for children.
The park is located on the outskirts of Reading; therefore, reaching the venue by taxi is recommended, as you will be dropped off at the park entrance. During the day, taking a tour of different attractions within the park with your taxi waiting to transport you to the next destination is advisable.
9. Englefield House and Gardens
Englefield House is an extraordinary realisation, an Elizabethian mansion in the countryside near Reading. It sits on an oversized lot, has been in the family for generations, and is open to visitors only on certain days of the week. The gardens, however, are more frequent, so visitors are free to roam around and appreciate the well-laid-down formal and informal garden plantations.
Englefield House is another famous filming location, having appeared in The Crown and X-Men: First Class. If you live in Reading, there is a lot of beautiful scenery that one can enjoy after hiring a taxi to get to this lovely, out-of-the-way estate for what may be a day of fun and frolics.
10. Wilder’s Folly
For something that would take one a little out of the conventional scheme of things, a taxi ride to Wilder’s Folly, a brick tower erected in 1769 by Reverend Henry Wilder as a proposal to his lady love. Situated at a hillside near Reading, this is an unconventional structure that boasts some of the best views of the countryside.
Though the folly is not accessible for public viewing, the vicinity of the same provides the best locale for taking a leisurely walk or for a picnic. It is more like a hidden gem that offers a change from the most popular installations in Reading.
11. Brewery Tours at The Two Cocks Brewery
Fans of beer should bear in mind that getting to The Two Cocks Brewery, a microbrewery located in the countryside of Berkshire, which is near Reading, is better done in a taxi. This award-winning brewery has opened for tours that will give tourists a full-round tour of the brewery from grain to glass.
It is located on a farm, enabling it to combine craft beer tasting and beautiful countryside views. Once you have tasted some of the brews, your taxi can drop you off at the Reading or any of the many great pubs in this town.
12. Madejski Stadium
For sports lovers, their town tour must include Madejski Stadium, the Reading FC’s home. For any football lovers or anyone who wants to have a different experience, you should try watching a match here or even take a stadium tour. Another alternative means of transport is taking a relatively cheaper taxi, especially on days of the game when parking is scarce.
Conclusion: Uncover Reading’s Hidden Gems by Taxi
Reading is not simply a commuter town but a place with many secrets one can find out if having enough time for this. It has everything from castles and monasteries, mansions and ancestral homes, gardens of all descriptions, and wildlife parks. But how does one find such finding these precious stones? By taxi, of course. Taking a taxi means you will cover the ground, avoid wasting a lot of time, and see areas that are not easily accessible using public transport.
Do yourself a favor the next time you visit and get into a taxi to discover these beautiful hidden gems in Reading. Therefore, whether you are a historian, a nature lover, or need some quiet time, Reading has some shocks in store.