Get down to Crocodiles of the World and make it snappy. Meet more than 130 crocodiles, alligators and caimans, plus snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises and terrapins. Or visit the River and Rowing Museum, home to over 20,000 items telling the history of rowing, Henley and the River Thames, plus a Wind in the Willows exhibition.
Head over to Beale Wildlife Park for 160 species of birds and animals plus a narrow-gauge railway, jumping pillow, splash pool, beautiful gardens and playgrounds. Build some memories with the rides and shows at Legoland, Or enjoy a heritage train ride through the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside on the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway.
Get seriously active at Redkangaroo Reading, with its 12 tennis courts, wall-to-wall trampolines, dedicated parkour area, timed ninja course and wipeout game. Fly over to Woodley Airfield’s Museum of Berkshire Aviation to see models of yesteryear being restored. Or paint some pots at HaaHoos Ceramics.
If water sports are your thing, head to Longridge Activity Centre to hop into canoes, kayaks and rafts. Or stay dry on the leap of faith, giant swing, climbing wall, footgolf or pedal karts. Or put your puzzle-solving skills to the test and outwit pirates, Vikings and gold-hunters within 60 minutes at Escape Hunt Reading.
You’re just 12 minutes from the river walks, boat cruises and Thames-side pubs of Henley-on-Thames, home of the royal regatta. Stick around to hire boats and for the pub frequented by Charles I, a chantry house, a butcher that smokes his own meat, and oodles of quirky independents.
Book a well-mannered mount from Checkenden Equestrian Centre, play the architect-designed parkland golf course at Badgemore Park, or navigate the 100 acres of woodland on the course at Greys Green. Or ditch the clubs and just walk the Chiltern hills, the Hamble Valley and the Thames towpath.
Unwind and indulge in the natural spa waters of Nirvana or Danesfield House. Head up to Oxford to soak up the history and grand tradition, to the Italianate pleasure gardens at Stonor Park, or to the walled gardens and Chiltern views of Greys Court. Or simply potter around the shops of Oxford, Marlow or Reading.
Visit the Henley Distillery for award-winning gins, or Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery’s vineyard, winery, brewery, liqueur-making facilities and cellar shop. Come in summer for Henley Royal Regatta, the Henley Festival, the Rewind Festival, and the open-water Henley Swim. Or enjoy September’s Pub in the Park garden party.
