Guide

to
Reading
Contents
Page No.

Introduction 1
Map 1
Transport 2
Restaurants & Bars 3
Entertainment 4
Hotels 5
Reading International Business Park 7

Introduction

Reading is situated in the heart of the

picturesque Thames Valley and is
increasingly becoming a hub for
international and technology companies
due to its excellent transport and
communication links and proximity to
London. It is also a thriving town with
plenty of things to do and see in and
around it, from shopping in The Oracle
Shopping Centre to watching football at
the Madejski Stadium. For more
information on Reading in general please
visit: www.reading-guide.co.uk.

© aaronjwebb http://www.flickr.com/photos/awebb/342793551/

Map
Map showing the location of
Reading International
Business Park in relation to
Reading town centre and
motorways. >

For an interactive map with

hotels and bus routes listed
please follow this link:
http://maps.google.co.uk/ma
ps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa
=0&msid=116191927723706
265654.00043847753462de4
2030&ll=51.424688,-
0.951691&spn=0.160557,0.4
56619&t=h&z=12&om=0

Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009 1

Transport
Air ____
The nearest airport to
Reading is Heathrow. It is
about 30 mins by car or 45
mins by coach or train.
Gatwick is approximately
1hr 30 by car/train.
Rail ____
Reading station has links to
most of the country and a
frequent high speed link to
London Paddington (25
minutes). The station is
approximately 20 minutes
away from the Reading
International Business Park
and easily reachable by bus
or taxi. There are also rail
services to Heathrow and
Gatwick airports.
For more information:
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Rail air ____
There is a coach service to
Heathrow from Reading
station. It takes 45 minutes
and buses run frequently
throughout the day.
Tickets can be purchased
online at www.railair.com or
from the Railair lounge at
Reading station or the
Central Bus Station at
Heathrow.
For timetables and further
information: www.railair.com
Tickets - Single £15
Return £23
Disclaimer: All prices correct at time of publishing.
Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009
Bus _____ Timetables can be found at:
www.travelinesoutheast.org.
Buses to Reading uk
International Business Park:
For further information:
4 www.reading-buses.co.uk
www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk
♦ Reading Station (Stop SL)
Basingstoke Road Car ____
♦ Holiday Inn South (Post
House) Reading International
♦ Reading International Business Park is situated just
Business Park (MCI) off Junction 11 of the M4 and
is within easy reach of the
£1.70 single M3, M25, London and
£3.20 Busabout all day ticket Heathrow and Gatwick
(multiple journeys and airports. There are visitor
routes). parking spaces available.
£9 7 day pass. The postcode for satellite
*Exact change only navigation systems is RG2
accepted. 6DA.
Runs every 20 minutes Taxi ____
during the day, less frequent
in the evenings. We have a corporate rate
with 500 Cars. You can book
501 Park & Ride in advance for taxis to and
from the airports and hotels.
♦ Reading station (stop SI) If you book in advance it will
♦ Madejski Stadium Park & typically cost half the price of
Ride (Madejski Millennium an ordinary taxi from
Hotel) Heathrow airport (Around
♦ Reading International £40-50 instead of £90-100).
Business Park
Phone: +44 (0) 1189 599999
£1.70 single Email: info@500cars.com
£2.80 return Web: www.500cars.com
£15 12 use ticket
Please provide a pick up
Runs every 15 mins during time and location, and a
the day. destination, and if relevant
your incoming flight details
Journey time from Reading so that the driver can meet
Station to Reading you at arrivals.
International Business Park
is approximately 20 minutes.
2
Restaurants & Bars
Reading has a large selection of bars and restaurants in the town centre, particularly around the
Oracle and Riverside area. There is a good mixture of restaurants here including American, Italian,
Japanese, fast food, coffee and sandwich shops.

The following websites have recommendations and

information about restaurants in the area:
http://www.readingrestaurants.com/
http://www.reading-guide.co.uk/cgi-
bin/bbrowse.cgi?Restaurants

For the Oracle: http://www.theoracle.com

There are also plenty of bars in Reading for you to

choose from for an evening’s entertainment. The main
area for bars other than the Oracle is Friar Street which
is near the station. Here is a link to a good guide to pubs
and bars in Reading: http://www.readingpubs.co.uk/

Recommended lunchtime restaurants and pubs:

Lsq2 (http://www.lsq2.co.uk/page.asp?id=1)
Miah’s (http://www.miahs.co.uk/)
The Old Bell (http://www.pub-
restaurant.co.uk/show_restaurant.tpl?restaurant=152)

© The Geary’s http://www.flickr.com/photos/gearys/494235395

Below is a selection of restaurants in Reading listed by style of food. These can all be found on the
Reading Restaurants website listed above. (Price guide: cheaper: under £10, mid-range: £10-20,
more expensive: £20+ per person)

Italian Pitcher & Piano Bina Tandoori

Ask Sweeney Todd Chilli and Spice
Bella Italia Zero Degrees Gulshan
Carluccio’s Miah’s
Dolce Vita American & Mexican Standard Tandoori
Il Gusto Corn Stores Chili’s The Raj
Mare e Monti Old Orleans
Nino's TGI Fridays Mediterranean
Pizza Express Tootsies La Tasca
Prezzo Nandos
Strada Asian
Zizzi Art of Siam Fast food
China Palace Burger King
British & French East West KFC
Bel and the Dragon Shanpan/Pranakhon McDonalds
Forbury’s Suwanna Thai Pizza Hut
Great Expectations Thai Corner
Ha Ha Bar & Grill Wagamama Mixed menu
Island Xen Glo
Jazz Cafe Yo Sushi Giraffe
Loch Fyne Sakura
London Street Brasserie Indian
Malmaison Bengal Reef

Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009 3

Entertainment
© flikr http://www.flickr.com/photos/flikr/45592521/
Around Reading
If you are looking for free entertainment and
a bit of history, you can walk alongside the
River Thames or the Kennet, or visit one of
the nearby museums – there is The Riverside
museum at Blake’s Lock, located on the
Kennet, and Reading museum, which has a
historical replica of the Bayeux tapestry as
well as many other interesting items, which is
located at the Town Hall at the end of Friar
street. For more information:
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk.
Cinema
There are 2 multiplex cinemas in Reading,
one located at the Oracle in the town centre
and the 2nd situated on the A329
Wokingham Road just off the A329M which is
a short car journey away from the RIBP along
the M4:
http://www.myvue.com/cinemas/index.asp?S
essionID=0C04A9BF20EA42DB9356058A7A
3E264B&cn=10&ln=1&ci=38
http://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/siteindex
.html
Shopping
Reading is recognised as one of the top ten
retail destinations in the UK and has one of
the best shopping centres in the South of
England.
Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009
If you are in Reading for a few days or
even just a one night stopover, you might
be interested in some of the entertainment
venues around. Below are a few links to
helpful websites:
http://www.readingtourism.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Reading,_Berkshire
The Oracle Shopping Centre is open every
day until 8pm. Other shops in Reading are
open until 5-6pm. (http://www.theoracle.com)
Theatre, Music and Comedy
http://www.readingarts.com/ - includes link to
The Hexagon theatre and other venues in
Reading.
http://bookings.jongleurs.com/jongleurs/venu
es/26/reading - Comedy club
Spas
The nearest spa to Reading is Nirvana Spa:
http://www.nirvanaspa.co.uk/. There are also
spas in some of the hotels nearby.
Sports
The Madejski stadium, where Reading
Football Club and London Irish Rugby Club
both play, is located a few minutes from the
office. There is also a greyhound and
speedway stadium located nearby.
Reading council has leisure centres and
swimming pools throughout the town
(http://www.reading.gov.uk/leisureandculture/
readingsportandleisure/) where facilities are
open to the public. There is also a golf driving
range at Rivermead sports centre.
There is a gym located in the office building,
and there are others in nearby hotels and
business parks.
4
Hotels
Our recommended hotel:

Millennium Madejski Hotel

Millennium Madejski Hotel

Madejski Stadium Junction 11,
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 OFL

+44 (0) 118 925 3813

http://www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/millenni
umreading/index.html

The hotel is located next to the Madejski Stadium and Royal Berkshire conference centre, and is
home to Reading Football club and London Irish RFC. There are 140 rooms, 2 restaurants, a bar
and a gym (with swimming pool). It is about 5 minutes drive from the RIBP and approx 20-25
minutes walk. There is also a bus service available. Taxi fare from the hotel to the office is
approximately £6. The AspenTech room rate is £147 including breakfast and internet access.

Another local hotel that we have a corporate rate with:

Holiday Inn South

Holiday Inn South Hotel

500 Basingstoke Road
Reading Berkshire
RG2 OSL

+44 (0) 870 400 9670

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/reaso;jse
ssionid=XPJQO3Y4M2F40CTGWA2SJ0QKM0YBCIY4
?_requestid=106195

The hotel has 202 rooms, 1 restaurant, 2 bars, and a health club including gym, beauty salon, and
swimming pool. It is approximately 5 minutes drive away from RIBP and 10-15 minutes walk.
There is a bus service available to this hotel. Taxi fare from the hotel to the office is approximately
£6. Internet is not included in the corporate rate; the prices are 1 hour - £6, 24 hrs - £15. The
AspenTech room rate is £132.50 including breakfast.

The following hotels are also available in central Reading and nearby:

Recommended:

Crowne Plaza Best Western Reading Moat House

Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8BD
+44 (0) 118 9259988
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hot
el/reauk?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/cp/1/en/hotels
earchresults
-not far from town centre, spa, river views
Mill Lane, Sindlesham, RG41 5DF
+ 44 (0) 118 949 9988
http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Best-
Western-Reading-Moat-House-83861/Hotel-
Info/Default.aspx
- nearby hotel, no public transport links

Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009 5

Ibis
5A Friar Street, Reading RG1 1DP Malmaison
+44 (0) 118 9533500 18 - 20 Station Road, Reading RG1 1JX
http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/ +44 (0) 118 956 2300
5431/fiche_hotel.shtml http://www.malmaison-reading.com/
-cheap, central location, brand new in 2006 -central location, brand new in 2007

Copthorne Reading Hotel Novotel

Pingewood, Reading, Berkshire RG30 3UN
+44 (0) 118 950 0885
http://www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/copthorner
eading/index.html
- nearby hotel, no public transport links
25B Friar Street, Reading RG1 1DP
+44 (0) 118 9522600
http://www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/gb/
nov/5432/fiche_hotel.shtml
-brand new in 2006, central location

Alternatives:

Forbury Hotel Pentahotel

26 The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EJ Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7RH
+44 (0) 118 958 1234 +44 (0) 118 9586222
http://www.theforburyhotel.co.uk/ http://www.pentahotels.com/en/reading-
-central location gb/hotel-information/
-central location
Great House at Sonning
Thames Street, Sonning, RG4 6UT The Elephant at Pangbourne
+44 (0) 118 969 2277 Church Rd, Pangbourne RG8 7AR
http://www.greathouseatsonning.co.uk/ +44 118 9842244
-countryside hotel www.elephanthotel.co.uk
- boutique countryside hotel
Number 18/Max
12 – 18 Crown St, Reading RG1 2SE Trunkwell Mansion House
+44 (0) 118 9028700 Beech Hill, Reading, Berkshire RG7 2AT
http://www.max-hotels.co.uk/max-at- +44 (0) 118 988 3956
reading.aspx www.trunkwell.com
-central location, serviced apartments -small countryside hotel

Lower cost hotels:

Travelodge Central
Comfort Inn 60 Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7LT
39, Christchurch Road, Reading. RG2 7AN +44 (0) 871 984 6211
+44 (0) 118 9311 311 http://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_hotel/hot
http://www.comfortinnreading.co.uk/ el/hotel_id/64/ReadingCentral
-cheap, on bus route - cheap, central location

Premier Inn Caversham Travelodge Whitley

Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8EQ
+44 (0) 870 111 2932
http://www.premierinn.com/pti/hotelInformatio
n.do?hotelId=27815
-cheap, not far from town centre
387 Basingstoke Road, Reading RG2 0JE
+44 (0) 871 984 6209
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_hotel/hot
el/hotel_id/63/ReadingWhitley
-cheap, on bus route, fairly near to office

Premier Inn Central Other useful links for accommodation in

Letcombe Street, Reading RG1 2HN
+44 (0) 870 850 6318
http://www.premierinn.com/pti/hotelInformatio
n.do?hotelId=26615
-cheap, central location, brand new in 2008
Reading:
♦ http://somewheretogo.co.uk/reading.html
♦ http://www.laterooms.com/en/p1301/pv99
95893/k16300940_reading-
hotels.aspx?gclid=CNDqr6jHvY4CFSgRG
godu3-pww

Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009 6

Reading International Business Park
The AspenTech EMEA headquarters office is
based in the Reading International Business Park
on the outskirts of Reading next to Junction 11 of
the M4. It is 20 minutes from the centre of
Reading and within easy distance of London and
the surrounding airports.
*Please remember the name of the business park
if you intend to travel here by taxi as there are
several business parks in Reading and the postal
code does not always direct GPS to the correct
place (alternative postcode to use: RG2 6DA).
The building is also known as MCI or Verizon.
All visitors please remember to sign in every day
at Reception 2 (B spur ground floor).
Parking
Visitor parking is situated at the front of the
building. Permits are obtained from Reception 2
when signing in and are valid for 1 day only, so
please remember to sign in every morning that
you are visiting.
Amenities
Within the business park there are 2 cafes which
provide hot and cold snacks and sandwiches
between 8am and 3pm. The DOT restaurant,
located in front of the main building, is open every
lunchtime between 12 and 2pm serving hot
meals. The weekly menu is posted on the notice
board in the office kitchen. There is also a shop
which sells snacks, sandwiches, newspapers and
various necessities.
There is a cash point located in the café on the
ground floor of spur F. There is a small fee for
using this machine.
Buses
The bus stops for buses to central Reading and
the station are located outside the main building
by the lake. There are buses every 15 minutes
during the day.
Guide to Reading Revision 2 January 2009
AspenTech Ltd
C1 Reading International Business Park
Basingstoke Road
Reading
Berkshire RG2 6DT
Reception: +44 (0) 118 9226508
The AspenTech office is situated in Spur C of the
RIBP on the 1st floor. The main office doors are
unlocked between 9am and 5pm. Outside of
these hours access is only gained with an
employee security pass so visitors will need to be
let in by members of staff or the receptionist.
Visitors need to sign in at AspenTech reception
as well as the main reception.
Kitchen
We have a kitchen in the office with coffee
machines, water dispensers, a fridge and
microwaves which are available for use by
visitors. There is plenty of cutlery and crockery for
drinks and meals if required.
Restroom
The toilets and shower room are located just
outside the office doors opposite the lifts.
Fire procedure
There is a fire alarm test every Monday morning
at 10am. If at any other time you hear the fire
alarm, please proceed to the grassy area at the
front of the building via any of the marked fire
exits.
Smoking Policy
The building is entirely non smoking. You are
permitted to smoke outside the front of the
building and in the open area of the car park only.
Training courses
Classes start at 9am and finish at 5pm. For
information or if you have any issues, please
contact the Training manager or your tutor.
Further Information
If you require further information or resources
such as maps or bus timetables please ask the
receptionist who will be happy to help. The
receptionist can also order taxis for you.
7