The 12 Best Day Trips from Reading

How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.

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There are 12 good day trips from Reading, United Kingdom, led by London, Birmingham, Bristol. The closest is London, about 1 hr 10 min by car. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Built from 12 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.

Day trips from Reading

  1. 1

    London, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 10 min by car59 km east of Reading

    Known for Cyberdog.

  2. 2

    Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car131 km north-west of Reading

    Known for Cadbury World.

  3. 3

    Bristol, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 45 min by car113 km west of Reading
  4. 4

    Leicester, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car132 km north of Reading
  5. 5

    Coventry, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 45 min by car112 km north of Reading
  6. 6

    Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car117 km east of Reading
  7. 7

    Brighton, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car91 km south-east of Reading
  8. 8

    Southampton, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 20 min by car68 km south-west of Reading
  9. 9

    Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car148 km north-west of Reading
  10. 10

    Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car67 km north of Reading
  11. 11

    Northampton, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car88 km north of Reading
  12. 12

    Bexley, United Kingdom

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car78 km east of Reading

A sample day: Reading to London

  1. 08:30Leave Reading
  2. 09:40Arrive in London (1 hr 10 min drive)
  3. 09:55Cyberdog
  4. 11:55Lunch
  5. 13:10Explore the old town, markets and cafes of London
  6. 15:40Head back to Reading
  7. 16:50Home in Reading

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Reading?
The best day trips from Reading are London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, Coventry. The closest is London, about 1 hr 10 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Reading?
London is the closest, 59 km east of Reading, roughly 1 hr 10 min by car. Best as a full-day trip.
Where can I go for a weekend from Reading?
For a weekend away from Reading, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Wolverhampton (148 km, 2 hr 20 min), Leicester (132 km, 2 hr 5 min), Birmingham (131 km, 2 hr 5 min), Southend-on-Sea (117 km, 1 hr 50 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
How far is too far for a day trip from Reading?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Wolverhampton at 148 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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