Using Reading as a hub

Reading certainly has good transport links, so from that point of view it makes sense. However, for me, there's just not a whole lot going in in Reading. I suppose tho if you're just planning to sleep there that doesn't matter as much. One thing Reading does have going for it is it's on the Thames Path so you can do a nice walk to somewhere like Henley, which is a more interesting town.

Is Reading a safe place

Yes. Although you might die of boredom.

be sure to have a biscuit

I stayed in Reading several years ago. It was perfectly safe to walk to and from the train station. And it did make day trips to Windsor Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh easy. The Thames tow path was pleasant to stroll on and one day a movie or TV company was using the local church to film a scene. And there's a large Tesco. But those were probably the highlights of Reading itself.

OK this is helpful. So Reading is boring, but safe and practical. We are trying to decide if the tradeoff is worth it for the travel convenience. Would anyone suggest any other locations instead if we have those destinations (Stonehenge, Oxford, Windsor Castle, Bath, and the Cotswolds) in mind?

Would anyone suggest any other locations instead if we have those destinations (Stonehenge, Oxford, Windsor Castle, Bath, and the Cotswolds) in mind?

London. Probably somewhere like Ealing or Hammersmith for better priced accommodation.

I'm wondering about Henley or Marlow. OK- they are at the ends of short branch lines, but it isn't a big issue IMO.

Both also have a good bus service into Reading.

For Rail fares I'm wondering about the little known Thames Rover ticket- it is all branches of the line from Paddington to Banbury and Moreton in Marsh via Oxford, also to Didcot (on the way to Bath) and to Basingstoke (on the way to Salisbury for Stonehenge), and to Newbury and to Redhill (on the way to Gatwick).
You'd have to price it out, but may well be worth it.
3 days in 7- £67 each, £44.60 with a national railcard, 7 consecutive days £121/£80.60.
For children on a Family and Friends railcard the respective prices are £13.40 and £22.40.

Any train at weekends, any train after 0930 weekdays (except the evening peak from Paddington).

I was a bit surprised by some of the responses describing Reading as 'boring'....

Actually the town has a lot going for it and has good links to other major tourist spots. There is the ruined Reading Abbey which was built in the early C12th and was one of the largest and most powerful monasteries in Medieval Europe. and was the burial place of Henry I .

The town also has a variety of self guided walking tours - full details with links here.

The Museum coivers the history of Reading from the Romans to modern times and particularly its biscut making heritage. Also, and quite surprising , it also has a full scale (and accurate) replica of the Bayeux Tapestry embridered in the late C19th... Now that isn't boring!

At least it’s not Slough. But it does make Grantham feel like Xanadu.

It’s a very big busy practical built-up town - it feels like a city. It’s very handy for transport but it’s not particularly cheap to stay, hotels-wise.

I stayed there a bit for work a few years back. With a bit of research, it’s possible to find some nice areas for walking. I was impressed by the museum.

I also ate excellent Nepalese food there, due I think to the British Army link with the Gurkhas being so strong in that area. I wish I could remember the little cafe/restaurant I ate in, but it was run by a Nepali family and they were great at recommending food to try.

Update: I think it was this restaurant Momo Nepal as I remember it being by the shopping centre and the photos look familiar. This was maybe back in 2018.

Thanks everyone, this has been helpful. We're still considering Reading, but we also think it would make sense to spend some nights in a town that we want to visit. Looking at Oxford as an option right now.