About Reading, United Kingdom

The Berkshire town of Reading has a rich and interesting history that many people may not be aware of before visiting the city. It was founded at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Kennet in the ninth century and swiftly occupied by the Vikings after the first Battle of Reading. The town recovered sufficiently to be listed in the Domesday Book in 1886 as being home to around 600 people.

Reading played an important role during the English Civil War and saw a number of its industries – including the cloth, ironwork and brewing trades – flourish over the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Today, Reading's success continues in some more modern market sectors, such as information technology and insurance, and it is also a vibrant university town.

Visitors to the Copthorne Hotel Reading have a number of locations to choose from if they are interested in learning more about the town's rich history, such as the ancient Market Place. This busy public space has undergone a transformation recently that included the complete refurbishment of the Simeon Monument, an obelisk designed by Sir John Sloane, architect of the Bank of England.

One of the town's most fascinating attractions is Reading Gaol, an early Victorian institution that was made famous by Oscar Wilde's epic poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Wilde was imprisoned in Reading from 1895 to 1897 and wrote the poem after his release, taking the death penalty as his inspiration after a fellow prisoner was hanged during Wilde's time in the institution. Reading Gaol's place in literary history was further cemented by the fact that Wilde wrote De Profundis, a long letter to his former lover Lord Alfred Douglas, while he was incarcerated there.

Literature lovers will be able to find plenty of other connections to their favourite art form in Reading. Jane Austen was educated at the Abbey School, a building connected with the medieval Abbey Gateway in Abbot's Walk, while Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington Bear, was born in Reading and lived there for much of his life. He was reportedly commuting to London when he came up with the idea for his marmalade-loving children's character.

The Reading area also boasts a range of modern attractions, including Coral Reef Waterworld in nearby Bracknell. This centre is billed as an indoor "tropical paradise" and includes water slides, rapids, bubbling spas and more. Visitors with families may also be interested in visiting Beale Park, which is situated on the banks of the Thames and features wildlife attractions, river cruises and play areas, as well as regular events and festivals.

Visitors looking for some evening entertainment in Reading can head to a number of major venues, including the Hexagon, South Street and the Concert Hall. The coming months will see the Hexagon host comedy from Simon Amstell and Paul Merton, music from the Rat Pack tribute group and family shows including Angelina's Star Performance and LazyTown Live.

On the third Thursday of every month South Street hosts a blues night, exploring the full variety of the genre, from acoustic through jump and jive to new alternative. In June, the visitor to South Street will be Snakebite Burnett. Music lovers with a penchant for nostalgia may be interested in visiting the venue on July 9th and 10th, when The Hamsters will be playing some of their own material as well as songs by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top.