As the summer holidays draw to a close and autumn looms, it can prove more difficult to get out and about. However, even when the kids are back at school, there are plenty of things to do in Reading at the weekends. From fun-filled theatre trips to discovering the town’s ancient past, here are some of the best places to visit in Reading this September.

Head to the theatre

The back-to-school blues can be whisked away by a trip into prehistory at the Hexagon. From Friday 30 September to Sunday 2 October, families can enter the realm of the dinosaurs at Dinosaur World Live. Using stunning puppetry to bring these fearsome reptiles to life, the show introduces Miranda, who has grown up on a faraway island – and would like you to meet her dino pals. Suitable for kids aged three and up, and specially designed for children, it’s a fun show for all the family.

Discover ancient history

Just outside of Reading lies the parish of Silchester, where a large Roman town called Calleva Atrebatum once stood. The amphitheatre and town walls are open all year round, and represent some of the best preserved ruins in the UK. You’ll also see the baths, which were first discovered in 1903 and have since been excavated further.

Meanwhile in the Reading Abbey Quarter, you can explore the 900 year-old abbey ruins, which date back to the Middle Ages and once housed dozens of monks who lived, worked and worshipped here for over 400 years. Today, you can wander through the ruins, see the magnificent Grade I listed Gateway, and visit Reading Museum, which tells the story of the abbey and showcases sculptures and decorative art.

Get into the water

If the weather’s still reasonably fine, Reading can be explored from the water. There are plenty of opportunities to hire canoes or kayaks and see the town from a different perspective. If you’d like to do this without the physical effort, you can embark on a river cruise, which allows you to relax while a guide talks you through the main sights and the town’s history.

If you’d like to know more about the UK’s most famous river, which runs through Reading and London, then visit the River & Rowing Museum at nearby Henley-on-Thames. The museum’s collections cover the international sport of rowing, as well as telling the story of the River Thames and Henley itself.

Visit a park  

Children love a good run around, and when the weather permits, nothing beats a trip to the local park. There are plenty of gorgeous green spaces around Reading, including Prospect Park with its mini steam train, sports facilities and well-equipped play area. View Island is also a popular and peaceful spot, with wooden sculptures and a weir, while the flower-filled Harris Gardens are enchanting all year round.

If you’re looking for activities in Reading, don’t miss Dinosaur World Live. Tickets are on sale now – book today!