| There inevitably comes a time in our lives where we | | | | Complex in Blagrave Street, and South Street Arts |
| find ourselves wanting or needing to meet new people, | | | | Centre presents a diverse range of performing arts |
| whether for friendship or something more. | | | | from both professional and community groups. |
| If you're new to the Reading area, or simply looking to | | | | During October, many venues throughout the town |
| meet activity partners to share your hobbies and | | | | play host to acts who are participating in the Reading |
| interests with, where do you go to find new friends? | | | | Comedy Festival, showcasing some of the very best |
| Reading, situated on the banks of the River Thames, is | | | | comedy acts in the UK. |
| the vibrant county town of Berkshire and is packed | | | | The annual Reading Festival is held in August and sees |
| with bars, restaurants, sports clubs, museums and | | | | thousands of music fans making their way to the |
| lovely outdoor spaces, offering plenty of opportunities | | | | Richfield Avenue Thames-side site from all over the |
| for social gatherings and events and plenty of places | | | | UK, Europe and further afield for the Bank Holiday |
| to meet new people. | | | | weekend, come rain or shine! |
| As home to some of the largest businesses in the IT | | | | If sport is your thing, the many parks and leisure |
| industry and with its close proximity to London, Reading | | | | centres across Reading borough offer a wide range |
| has a transient population with large numbers of | | | | of facilities. 5-a-side football pitches are available for |
| people relocating here and wanting to meet people for | | | | hire at Prospect Park and Palmer Park Stadium, |
| social events and activities. | | | | where you will also find an athletics stadium for both |
| The Oracle Shopping Centre lies at the heart of | | | | track and field events. |
| Reading town centre and offers an amazing choice of | | | | Caversham Lawn Tennis Club, Reading Cricket Club |
| places to eat alongside the Kennet & Avon canal, | | | | and Reading Hockey Club all provide opportunities to |
| including the award-winning London Street Brasserie, | | | | play your sport and meet new friends at the same |
| LSQ2, Pizza Express, Giraffe, The Slug and Lettuce, | | | | time. |
| Wagamama, Yo! Sushi, Strada, Cafe Rouge and the | | | | For golfers there is a choice of superb golf courses in |
| most recent addition, Jamie's Italian, an authentic Italian | | | | and around Reading including Calcot Park Golf Club |
| family restaurant and the brainchild of celebrity chef | | | | and Wokefield Park to the south and Reading Golf |
| Jamie Oliver. | | | | Club, Caversham Heath and The Club at Mapledurham |
| Reading has a restaurant for every occasion - many | | | | to the north. |
| of them located within a short walk of the town | | | | Gyms can be a great way to meet new people and |
| centre. However, venture a few miles to the south and | | | | there is certainly no shortage of health and fitness |
| you will find the only Michelin-starred restaurant in | | | | clubs in the Reading area. The Rivermead Leisure |
| Reading, L'Ortolan, where a delightful culinary | | | | Centre on the banks of the River Thames at |
| experience awaits you. | | | | Caversham (recently refurbished with a full range of |
| Whatever your taste, there is a plenty of choice for | | | | facilities including a state of the art gym, lagoon |
| you and your new friends in Reading to relax over a | | | | swimming pool, squash and badminton courts and a |
| bite to eat! | | | | dance studio), Rivers Health and Fitness in Tilehurst, |
| For movie fans, Reading Vue Cinema, also located at | | | | David Lloyd at Thames Valley Park and the recently |
| The Oracle, boasts 10 screens and seats 1,800 people. | | | | re-launched Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing |
| An easy night out for both groups of friends or a | | | | (formerly Canons) at Green Park, are all conveniently |
| couple of mates. | | | | situated for those wanting to work out before or after |
| Enjoy a drink at one of the Reading town centre bars | | | | work. |
| and pubs including Revolution, The Walkabout, and the | | | | Football and rugby fans are well catered for with the |
| famous Purple Turtle bar on Gun Street, usually good | | | | Madejski Stadium being home to both Reading FC and |
| for a bit of local celebrity spotting! | | | | London Irish Rugby Club and Reading is also has a |
| If you're looking for a bit of culture in Reading, you | | | | well-supported basketball team, the Reading Rockets, |
| won't be disappointed. | | | | who play their home games at The Rivermead |
| The Hexagon stages a wide variety of music, theatre | | | | Leisure Complex. |
| and comedy events and you're sure to find something | | | | With such a wide choice of things to do and places to |
| to suit your taste, classical music fans will be at home | | | | go in Reading, wouldn't it be nice to have some friends |
| at Reading Concert Hall, located in the Town Hall | | | | to go along with? |