The 'other' shopping plaza in Reading, Broad Street doesn't have the glitz and glamor of the Oracle…read moreShopping Plaza a short walk away. Which isn't to say it's a poor experience, because it's good! Anchor shops like TJ Maxx and Argos, plus name brands Supercuts, GNC, Ethel Austin, Poundland and Foot Locker. There isn't a food court, but there is a nice atrium with a coffee shop and a bakery (on site baking!) making for a pleasant experience in good weather or bad. There is a staffed kiosk for the Reading bus system for questions and for buying your bus fare debit card.

Although very much the poor relation to the Oracle, there is certainly nothing wrong with The…read moreButts. It has a wide range of shops to explore and always seems very busy. Broad St Mall also has a multistorey carpark attached to it so you don't have to rely on parking at the oracle which can get gridlocked at weekends. If you need a break from shopping there are plenty of places you can get a drink or something to eat to catch your breath before you return to the bargain hunting.

Reading station. Clean, bright, functional railway station. Less than 15 minutes from Central…read moreLondon. Take the Great Western line.

I'd have to say that this is a pretty major station, especially considering that there are an awful…read morelot of platforms, and pretty much all of the trains that pass through here will stop. It's also the western terminus of the Elizabeth Line, which is helpful, especially if you work in the city. I was going to say that it is the edge of London, but I suspect Reading is a separate city all of its own. Pretty cool station though.

Anyone who has visited Kingston upon Thames recently, by car, will know how notorious, and often…read morefrustrating, the vagaries of the one-way system are. Add to that the pretty harsh parking restrictions (which have just become even stricter) and it can take quite significant determination and patience to want to visit, in a private four-wheeled vehicle. Happily, in this context, public transport or my own two feet are usually my preferred means of arrival. On Sunday evening, however, my companion and I needed to park here. We took a long while to chance upon this sweet little car park, by the river, heading towards Teddington. It was a bargain, at just £1 for the whole evening, and worked efficiently in terms of access and obtaining the relevant ticket. Recommended for a great view, too!

Do you want a designated space in this car park which is located behind the shops in the upper High…read moreStreet. Car parking spaces are offered on a contract basis with payment monthly. The location is next door to the council's 'pay and display' car park and behind shops and restaurants such as Pizza Express. For details, 07970 803356

Great location but pricey. Also, pay and display machines only accept coins, which is ludicrous…read moregiven how expensive this place is. Pay for parking between 9am and 12am, but the change office only opens after 10am and closes for lunch, so if you don't have change when it is closed, you're out of luck.

Mega expensive. Only accepts coins but you can use an app or call a number that leads to a…read morecomplicated automated system. Sucks all the way.

Reading's Main Mall - a community center for the area This…read moreis a unique place for a lot of different reasons. It is in the heart of Reading and serves as a main community center for the area. The south side of it opens onto an area with at least 2-foot bridges over the River Kennet. On the north side you are in the heart of Broad Street, the brick-lined walking space that seems a Hallmark of the city. Inside, the mall boasts a wide selection of high-street brands, boutiques, and specialty stores, making it a shopaholic's paradise. As of September 2021, they hosted over 80 stores and restaurants. I visited recently one of their big anchor stores that was closing. It offers a plethora of dining options, from international cuisine to local delicacies. The Riverside dining area is particularly popular, providing a scenic backdrop for a meal. Their website seems to suggest that they host various events and activities throughout the year, keeping the atmosphere lively and engaging. I tried the McDonalds. It was extremely busy but it was also right off the riverside dining area and accessed from outside the main structure. Whether you're looking for a day of retail therapy, a delicious meal with a view, or a fun outing with friends and family, The Oracle shopping center in Reading offers it all. It's a vibrant hub that epitomizes modern urban living and leisure. If you can't find what you are looking for in the mall, you have the option of looking right outside along Broad Street. Enjoy!

Sometimes, you need to shop. You need to hit a mall. You need to wander from one chain store to the…read morenext, filling up your bags and emptying your wallet. If you're in Reading, the place to do that is right here at the Oracle shopping center, which sits on both sides of the River Kennet just off the Reading high street. Lots of top name shops here, including a Disney Store (they're everywhere!), Debenham's, House of Fraser and John Lewis, plus of course Boots. Plenty of restaurants and boots to pick up everything from this years selections of calendars to pictures for your phone. And on the subject of phones, they also have representation of the major mobile companies Vodaphone, Orange and more. I did find the PC World to be a little lacking of some of the lower tier items for computers, but they have high end stuff like big screen TV's and desktops. Decent hours: Mon-Fri 9.30 to 20, Sat 9 to 19 and Sun 11 to 17.

This is a really cool shopping mall with all the stores you would expect and some wicked ones on…read morethe walkway that you wouldn't - I stumbled across a wooden stand which had some fabulous items! As you would expect, its all clean, well maintained but unless you are used to it, it was a bit confusing, signs weren't brilliant in large crowds. Theres plenty of parking and entrances taking you into the lovely market town of Banbury. Recommended for your weekend browsing!!!