Car Rental - Reading
Reading lies in the south-east of England, within the Thames Valley region and not far from the Chiltern Hills. It’s also just a few miles west of London, making it an important business destination.
There are also many attractions within the town itself, including a shopping centre, museums and plenty of restaurants.
Renting a car in Reading gives you a chance to explore the surrounding area, so you can make the most of your time in England.
Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, you’ll find our pick-up locations are centrally located so you can collect your car at any time during your stay.
Choose the perfect rental car for your trip to Reading from our comprehensive collections and reserve online. There are no hidden charges and in the unlikely event you find Hertz car rental in Reading cheaper, we’ll refund the difference.
Reading Locations
A Quick Guide to Reading
With its great location in southern England, Reading offers easy access to a great range of attractions. If you rent a car in Reading find London and other major cities within reach, as well as a number of destinations in the Thames Valley area.
Countryside Culture
The impressive 18th-century country house Basildon Park is just a short drive outside the center of Reading. Situated in 400 acres of parkland and gardens, there are some beautiful, scenic walks available. If you’re visiting in the spring, you might even see the bluebells that transform the surrounding woodland each year.
The house itself is an old Georgian mansion that was restored after World War II, and today you can tour its grand reception rooms and view its collection of valuable artworks.
Basildon Park lies close to one of Reading’s other main attractions, Beale Park. Set against the backdrop of the River Thames, here you will find a wildlife center that’s home to some amazing animals including wallabies, alpacas and deer.
You can also explore the surrounding gardens with sculptures, lakes and walking trails before relaxing in the restaurant with a locally produced lunch. Be sure to sample a traditional English afternoon tea, complete with scones, jam and cream.
Roman Remains
Just outside Reading lie the remains of Calleva Atrebatum, a huge Roman town founded almost 2,000 years ago. The site, which is located within the parish of Silchester, boasts some of the best-preserved Roman remains in Britain, including an amphitheater and town walls.
This site is managed by the National Trust and visitors can complete a circuit of the walls any day of the week. Entry is free and the site must be reached by a footpath, but there is a paid parking lot close by where you can leave your rental car and continue on foot.
If you’re keen to learn more about the history of Reading and its surroundings, head to Reading Museum which is housed in the town’s Victorian Town Hall. Here you can learn much more about Calleva Atrebatum and see artifacts including the Silchester Eagle, which was unearthed at the site in the 19th century.
At the museum there are also several archaeological finds from Reading Abbey, a ruined medieval structure which lies just a short distance away at the heart of the town. Today the Abbey is home to a cultural quarter that hosts events throughout the year, from open-air film screenings to historical reenactments.
Royal Footsteps
There are plenty of great destinations that are easily available by rental car from Reading. Just a few miles to the east of the city you’ll find the historic city of Windsor.
Windsor Castle is open to the public and you can see the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were married. You can also explore the castle precincts, with tours led by wardens throughout the day.
Depending on the day of your visit, you might even witness the Changing of the Guard as the King’s Household Troops march up the High Street and into the castle.
With all this and more on offer, renting a car in Reading is the perfect way to explore the town and other highlights in southern England.
Driving In and Around Reading
Reading lies just off the M4 freeway, known in the UK as a motorway, that connects key towns and cities throughout southern England. This route links Reading to London, just over 40 miles to the east. If you’re planning on a day trip to the capital, to take in sights like Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, be aware that London operates a congestion charge in the center. You can find more details here.
The M4 has its starting point in the capital and runs all the way to Bristol, then further west to cross the River Severn via a toll bridge towards the Welsh capital Cardiff.
You can access some great destinations from Reading with a rental car, including the royal town of Windsor which lies just 20 miles away along the motorway. Here, you can explore the incredible castle – which is actually still used by the monarch as a place of residence.
If you do take a trip here, and the Royal Standard flag is flying from the Round Tower, it means the King is in residence.
It’s also possible to travel north to the city of Oxford, known for its historic university and castle. From Oxford it’s just a short drive north along the M40 to reach Shakespeare’s home town Stratford-upon-Avon as well as the UK’s official ‘second city’ Birmingham.
Reading is a large, busy town but you’ll find plenty of parking lots available, including at the Broad Street Mall in the center and The Oracle shopping mall. The street that connects these malls, Broad Street, is pedestrianized with no access to cars but the parking areas mean it’s easy to explore on foot.
When driving in your rental car in Reading and elsewhere, remember that unlike most other countries in Europe, motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road. The speed limit on freeways is 70mph, and in towns and cities it drops to 30mph in most built-up areas, unless there are signs to indicate otherwise. Like many other UK cities, Reading has some areas which are subject to a 20mph speed limit.
