Dee’s guidebook

That'S
Dee’s guidebook

Shopping Mall

The centre contains 90 shops, including department stores from the Debenhams (136,000 ft²) and House of Fraser (150,000 ft²) chains. A third and larger department store, John Lewis and Partners, is adjacent to the Minster Street entrance but not part of the centre itself. There are also 22 restaurants, cafés and bars along the riverside of the Kennet, and an 11-screen Vue cinema. The Oracle increases Reading's retail footage by one-third, and it has attracted some retailers who would otherwise not have located in Reading. The Oracle Riverside area, with its restaurants and bars, spans the Brewery Gut, a particularly narrow stretch of the River Kennet. The layout allows space for outdoor tables, and there is granite stadium-style seating and a sail-like canopy. Two bridges have been installed spanning the Kennet, Cooks Bridge, a straight footbridge which links The Riverside Car Park to House of Fraser, and Delphi Bridge, an 'ellipse-shaped' bridge giving access from the Vue cinema to Debenhams. The Free Form Arts Trust were appointed as the arts agency with responsibility for the appointment and contractual arrangements with artists. Specially commissioned artworks include the Crystal Beacon, a reflective translucent prism by Welsh artist John Gingell that tops off the multistory car park.
122 locals recommend
The Oracle
Bridge Street
122 locals recommend
The centre contains 90 shops, including department stores from the Debenhams (136,000 ft²) and House of Fraser (150,000 ft²) chains. A third and larger department store, John Lewis and Partners, is adjacent to the Minster Street entrance but not part of the centre itself. There are also 22 restaurants, cafés and bars along the riverside of the Kennet, and an 11-screen Vue cinema. The Oracle increases Reading's retail footage by one-third, and it has attracted some retailers who would otherwise not have located in Reading. The Oracle Riverside area, with its restaurants and bars, spans the Brewery Gut, a particularly narrow stretch of the River Kennet. The layout allows space for outdoor tables, and there is granite stadium-style seating and a sail-like canopy. Two bridges have been installed spanning the Kennet, Cooks Bridge, a straight footbridge which links The Riverside Car Park to House of Fraser, and Delphi Bridge, an 'ellipse-shaped' bridge giving access from the Vue cinema to Debenhams. The Free Form Arts Trust were appointed as the arts agency with responsibility for the appointment and contractual arrangements with artists. Specially commissioned artworks include the Crystal Beacon, a reflective translucent prism by Welsh artist John Gingell that tops off the multistory car park.
John Lewis & Partners is a chain of high-end department stores operating throughout the United Kingdom
John Lewis & Partners
Broad Street
John Lewis & Partners is a chain of high-end department stores operating throughout the United Kingdom

Food scene

16 locals recommend
Pho
134 Chiswick High Rd
16 locals recommend
new informal Lebanese dining experience for Reading with mezze, grilled meats and cheeses, Lebanese pizzas and pastries. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bakery House
82 London St
new informal Lebanese dining experience for Reading with mezze, grilled meats and cheeses, Lebanese pizzas and pastries. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bel & The Dragon is a collection of Country Inns & restaurants, situated in charming towns and villages across the South of England, offering exceptional food, fine wine and characterful bedrooms. Each Bel & The Dragon offers a timeless, cosy and classic atmosphere with added touches of luxury that are guaranteed to make you feel at home.
23 locals recommend
Bel & The Dragon
Gas Works Road
23 locals recommend
Bel & The Dragon is a collection of Country Inns & restaurants, situated in charming towns and villages across the South of England, offering exceptional food, fine wine and characterful bedrooms. Each Bel & The Dragon offers a timeless, cosy and classic atmosphere with added touches of luxury that are guaranteed to make you feel at home.
High end Modern French cuisine in elegant, white tablecloth dining rooms in a former vicarage.
18 locals recommend
L'Ortolan
Church Lane
18 locals recommend
High end Modern French cuisine in elegant, white tablecloth dining rooms in a former vicarage.
A pan Asian and world dining experience in the heart of Reading. We believe your taste buds should be intrepid explorers seeking out the best flavours the world has to offer. From the vast expanses of the Chinese countryside to the fishing villages of Japan to the food markets of Delhi and everywhere in between - at COSMO you'll experience all your favourite, freshly prepared dishes from around the world at our Live Cooking Stations. We serve over 150 dishes at our restaurants. Each dish is expertly prepared in small amounts to ensure they are always fresh.
13 locals recommend
COSMO World Buffet Restaurant | Reading
35-38 Friar St
13 locals recommend
A pan Asian and world dining experience in the heart of Reading. We believe your taste buds should be intrepid explorers seeking out the best flavours the world has to offer. From the vast expanses of the Chinese countryside to the fishing villages of Japan to the food markets of Delhi and everywhere in between - at COSMO you'll experience all your favourite, freshly prepared dishes from around the world at our Live Cooking Stations. We serve over 150 dishes at our restaurants. Each dish is expertly prepared in small amounts to ensure they are always fresh.
Located on the Riverside, Côte Brasserie is open daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Inspired by new trends in Paris where diners are turning away from over complicated expensive French food, Côte offers a modern approach to classic French dishes such as steak frites, tuna nicoise, moules marinières and corn fed chicken from the heart of rural Brittany. The menu evolves seasonally and a range of changing specials will ensure there is 
always something new for regular guests to enjoy. Perfect for a breakfast business meeting or mid morning coffee to take a break from shopping, Côte offers breakfast dishes such as a full English breakfast; smoked salmon and scrambled eggs; eggs Benedict - ham and poached egg on a toasted muffin with Hollandaise sauce. There is a lunch and early evening menu at £9.95 for two courses and £11.90 for three courses with dishes such as frisee, beetroot and goats cheese salad served with a
 walnut and mustard dressing followed by roast seabass fillet with Savoy cabbage and peas in a white wine and cream sauce.
There is also free wifi available.
9 locals recommend
Côte Brasserie - Reading
9 Riverside Road
9 locals recommend
Located on the Riverside, Côte Brasserie is open daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Inspired by new trends in Paris where diners are turning away from over complicated expensive French food, Côte offers a modern approach to classic French dishes such as steak frites, tuna nicoise, moules marinières and corn fed chicken from the heart of rural Brittany. The menu evolves seasonally and a range of changing specials will ensure there is 
always something new for regular guests to enjoy. Perfect for a breakfast business meeting or mid morning coffee to take a break from shopping, Côte offers breakfast dishes such as a full English breakfast; smoked salmon and scrambled eggs; eggs Benedict - ham and poached egg on a toasted muffin with Hollandaise sauce. There is a lunch and early evening menu at £9.95 for two courses and £11.90 for three courses with dishes such as frisee, beetroot and goats cheese salad served with a
 walnut and mustard dressing followed by roast seabass fillet with Savoy cabbage and peas in a white wine and cream sauce.
There is also free wifi available.
At Miller & Carter we know a thing or two about steak. In fact, we could say that we're one of the best steakhouses in West Berkshire. But we'd rather leave that to your judgement. Because once you've tasted our hand-cut, 28-day aged West Country steaks you'll soon appreciate the care of our farmers, the exacting standards of our butchers and the passion of our chefs. Don't just take our word for it; book a table and decide for yourself. You'll find us on the Riverside at Reading's Oracle complex, right next door to the Vue cinema. Our premium graded Ashdale beef is reared especially for us on sustainable West Country farms. So whatever your favourite cut, we can trace every forkful back to the field.
7 locals recommend
Miller & Carter Reading
7 locals recommend
At Miller & Carter we know a thing or two about steak. In fact, we could say that we're one of the best steakhouses in West Berkshire. But we'd rather leave that to your judgement. Because once you've tasted our hand-cut, 28-day aged West Country steaks you'll soon appreciate the care of our farmers, the exacting standards of our butchers and the passion of our chefs. Don't just take our word for it; book a table and decide for yourself. You'll find us on the Riverside at Reading's Oracle complex, right next door to the Vue cinema. Our premium graded Ashdale beef is reared especially for us on sustainable West Country farms. So whatever your favourite cut, we can trace every forkful back to the field.
Home to the legendary flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. Afro-Portuguese inspired. South African born. Whether you are eating in the restaurants or getting a take-away, the very taste of their famous PERi-PERi-chicken and the warmth and pride with which it is delivered, are proof of their passion. The restaurant chain originates in South Africa, with a Mozambican/Portuguese theme! Filled with vibrant colours, incredible patterns and interesting mixes of old and new, the African interior design pays homage to the original roots in a fresh, exciting way that’s packed with heat and a lot of heart!
31 locals recommend
Nando's
4 The Riverside
31 locals recommend
Home to the legendary flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. Afro-Portuguese inspired. South African born. Whether you are eating in the restaurants or getting a take-away, the very taste of their famous PERi-PERi-chicken and the warmth and pride with which it is delivered, are proof of their passion. The restaurant chain originates in South Africa, with a Mozambican/Portuguese theme! Filled with vibrant colours, incredible patterns and interesting mixes of old and new, the African interior design pays homage to the original roots in a fresh, exciting way that’s packed with heat and a lot of heart!
With a wild passion for a Fresh, Innovative concept, They are bridging an exciting menu with handcrafted freshly made beer. Forget about the mass produced - support your locally sourced ingredients! All of their innovative pizzas are creatively designed on a delicious crust, and stone-baked to perfection. Also served are fresh kilo pots of mussels, which perfectly complements their beer, creative salads, made-to-order pastas, classic appetisers and indulgent desserts, including favourites like their fresh Gamberi Prawns, Teriyaki Salad, BBQ chicken Pizza & Mussels drenched in Royal Sauce. Look around and you can see, feel, smell and breathe in the freshness. They don’t hide anything, everything around you is open to view, the working brewery, the open planned kitchen & the circular bar.
10 locals recommend
Zerodegrees Microbrewery & Restaurant Reading
9 Bridge St
10 locals recommend
With a wild passion for a Fresh, Innovative concept, They are bridging an exciting menu with handcrafted freshly made beer. Forget about the mass produced - support your locally sourced ingredients! All of their innovative pizzas are creatively designed on a delicious crust, and stone-baked to perfection. Also served are fresh kilo pots of mussels, which perfectly complements their beer, creative salads, made-to-order pastas, classic appetisers and indulgent desserts, including favourites like their fresh Gamberi Prawns, Teriyaki Salad, BBQ chicken Pizza & Mussels drenched in Royal Sauce. Look around and you can see, feel, smell and breathe in the freshness. They don’t hide anything, everything around you is open to view, the working brewery, the open planned kitchen & the circular bar.
Yo! Sushi serve over 90 Japanese inspired dishes on their menu including hot classics, sashimi, tempura, salads, hand rolls and desserts. So whether you love meat, fish or vegetables, don't panic, you're catered for! Choose plates from the belt or order from the menu. Seven colours, seven prices. When you're done, the plates will be counted to work out your bill!
9 locals recommend
House of Fraser Reading
9 locals recommend
Yo! Sushi serve over 90 Japanese inspired dishes on their menu including hot classics, sashimi, tempura, salads, hand rolls and desserts. So whether you love meat, fish or vegetables, don't panic, you're catered for! Choose plates from the belt or order from the menu. Seven colours, seven prices. When you're done, the plates will be counted to work out your bill!
Located on Broad Street, Wolf provides us with Italian Street Food, using only the freshest ingredients. All of their meat is sourced from British farms, where the animals have had a happy, outdoor life. They marinade each cut in their chefs’ mixture of herbs and spices, for a minimum of 24 hours. This ensures a rich flavour and meat that is incredibly tender before it hits the heat! From Hand-rolled Italian wrap, baked on a stone grill to fresh durum wheat penne or spaghettini, served with roasted mixed peppers; mushrooms, courgettes and red onion; all tossed in a classic pomodoro sauce.
Wolf - Italian Street Food
94 Broad St
Located on Broad Street, Wolf provides us with Italian Street Food, using only the freshest ingredients. All of their meat is sourced from British farms, where the animals have had a happy, outdoor life. They marinade each cut in their chefs’ mixture of herbs and spices, for a minimum of 24 hours. This ensures a rich flavour and meat that is incredibly tender before it hits the heat! From Hand-rolled Italian wrap, baked on a stone grill to fresh durum wheat penne or spaghettini, served with roasted mixed peppers; mushrooms, courgettes and red onion; all tossed in a classic pomodoro sauce.

Sightseeing

Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. It is notable for its long association with the English and later British royal family and for its architecture. The original castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I, it has been used by the reigning monarch and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle's lavish early 19th-century State Apartments were described by the art historian Hugh Roberts as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste".[4] Inside the castle walls is the 15th-century St George's Chapel, considered by the historian John Martin Robinson to be "one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic" design.[5] Originally designed to protect Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a motte-and-bailey, with three wards surrounding a central mound. Gradually replaced with stone fortifications, the castle withstood a prolonged siege during the First Barons' War at the start of the 13th century. Henry III built a luxurious royal palace within the castle during the middle of the century, and Edward III went further, rebuilding the palace to make an even grander set of buildings in what would become "the most expensive secular building project of the entire Middle Ages in England".[6] Edward's core design lasted through the Tudor period, during which Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made increasing use of the castle as a royal court and centre for diplomatic entertainment. Windsor Castle survived the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, when it was used as a military headquarters by Parliamentary forces and a prison for Charles I. At the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II rebuilt much of Windsor Castle with the help of the architect Hugh May, creating a set of extravagant Baroque interiors that are still admired. After a period of neglect during the 18th century, George III and George IV renovated and rebuilt Charles II's palace at colossal expense, producing the current design of the State Apartments, full of Rococo, Gothic and Baroque furnishings. Queen Victoria made a few minor changes to the castle, which became the centre for royal entertainment for much of her reign. Windsor Castle was used as a refuge by the royal family during the Luftwaffe bombing campaigns of the Second World War and survived a fire in 1992. It is a popular tourist attraction, a venue for hosting state visits, and the preferred weekend home of Elizabeth II.
506 locals recommend
Windsor Castle
3 Lanark Pl
506 locals recommend
Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. It is notable for its long association with the English and later British royal family and for its architecture. The original castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I, it has been used by the reigning monarch and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle's lavish early 19th-century State Apartments were described by the art historian Hugh Roberts as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste".[4] Inside the castle walls is the 15th-century St George's Chapel, considered by the historian John Martin Robinson to be "one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic" design.[5] Originally designed to protect Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a motte-and-bailey, with three wards surrounding a central mound. Gradually replaced with stone fortifications, the castle withstood a prolonged siege during the First Barons' War at the start of the 13th century. Henry III built a luxurious royal palace within the castle during the middle of the century, and Edward III went further, rebuilding the palace to make an even grander set of buildings in what would become "the most expensive secular building project of the entire Middle Ages in England".[6] Edward's core design lasted through the Tudor period, during which Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made increasing use of the castle as a royal court and centre for diplomatic entertainment. Windsor Castle survived the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, when it was used as a military headquarters by Parliamentary forces and a prison for Charles I. At the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II rebuilt much of Windsor Castle with the help of the architect Hugh May, creating a set of extravagant Baroque interiors that are still admired. After a period of neglect during the 18th century, George III and George IV renovated and rebuilt Charles II's palace at colossal expense, producing the current design of the State Apartments, full of Rococo, Gothic and Baroque furnishings. Queen Victoria made a few minor changes to the castle, which became the centre for royal entertainment for much of her reign. Windsor Castle was used as a refuge by the royal family during the Luftwaffe bombing campaigns of the Second World War and survived a fire in 1992. It is a popular tourist attraction, a venue for hosting state visits, and the preferred weekend home of Elizabeth II.
40 locals recommend
Madejski Stadium
M4
40 locals recommend
Highclere Castle was a filming location for the British comedy series Jeeves and Wooster, which starred comedians Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. It was also used as the main filming location for the Emmy Award-winning drama series Downton Abbey and the subsequent full-length feature film based on it.
156 locals recommend
Highclere Castle
156 locals recommend
Highclere Castle was a filming location for the British comedy series Jeeves and Wooster, which starred comedians Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. It was also used as the main filming location for the Emmy Award-winning drama series Downton Abbey and the subsequent full-length feature film based on it.
49 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
7-8 Broad St
49 locals recommend