Reading, one of the largest towns in the county of Berkshire, lies in the Thames Valley and has a population of 336,731. It is one of the many towns in the United Kingdom that does not have a city status. From being a settlement in the 8th century, it has gravitated into becoming an important retail and commercial center. The headquarters of many finance, insurance, and information technology companies are located in the town. It is famous for the medieval abbey ruins, the surrounding countryside, shopping centers, riverside restaurants, and pubs. It is home to the University of Reading and is also famous for The Reading Festival- one of the longest-running music festivals in the UK. Reading has retained its old associations with beer and brewing and ‘The annual Beer Festival’ is held at King’s Meadow just before the May Day holiday. Situated as it is at the junction of important rail and road routes, Reading is considered as an important hub for passenger traffic.
Although Reading was inhabited only in the 8th century, its history goes further back. The Saxons were the first settlers and Reading appears to have been founded as early as the 6th century. There are many obscure derivations of its name and one probability is that it was derived from the Anglo-Saxon tribe- the Readingas, which means "Reada's People”. During the civil war, the town went through a number of hands. Reading flourished as a trading center, then later in the 1800s, it became famous for brewing and its ironworks industry. Later, the town began to flourish and grow rapidly as it entered the 20th century. It is home to the headquarters of international companies such as Microsoft, PepsiCo and even ING Direct.
World over, parking has always been a problem at busy places and finding a parking space at ports, airports, train stations have been fraught with challenges. Busy Downtown is no exception. Either there are no parking spots to be had or parking is so expensive that it snuffs out the delight of being on a holiday. You can park wherever you find a space, but the thought of having to pay hefty fines for illegal parking is a poser. However, you don’t have to worry as TravelCar has the answer to all your parking problems. Its ability to provide you with a parking spot of your choice and that too at highly affordable rates might seem too good to be true. Rest assured though that you’re not dreaming- it’s well positioned to offer low-cost parking to those who need it. Opt for TravelCar and watch those extra dollars go into your pocket. Trust TravelCar to make your holiday a little brighter.
Holidayers and business people have one problem in common- finding a long term parking solution for their cars while they’re away. With TravelCar always in the ‘driver’s seat’ when it comes to meting out parking solutions, even that problem can be ironed out. The parking provider’s long term parking options are directed towards making it easy for travelers and visitors to keep their car safe for durations that may exceed a week or even two. TravelCar’s long-term offerings remove the stress that’s generally associated with it. It suits the casual weekender looking to park their cars for a couple of days or a little more, is ideal for the person on a trip for a couple of weeks at least and is eminently suitable for those looking to park their cars for at least a month. The net result is an assurance that de-stresses you and makes you look forward to your break.
If finding a parking space is a problem, then finding a safe and secure space is even more so. You wouldn’t want to trust your car to just anyone and everyone when you’re away and be riddled with worry as to its plight during your absence. Secure parking is a must and TravelCar realizes how important this is to travelers and visitors. That’s why it places a great onus on securing its parking lots thoroughly. Not only are the lots gated and locked but security personnel physically monitor the space regularly. Adding another layer of security, video cameras are installed to monitor movements 24/7 in the parking lots. All this greatly minimizes the risk of theft or sabotage to cars and leaves car owners less anxious in their minds. Trust TravelCar to look after your car just as if it was its own.
Reading may be a retail and commercial center, vibrant and always full of life, but it’s also regarded by many in Berkshire as a ‘shopping mecca’. However, beware! Parking in downtown Reading can be a monstrous nightmare.
Get inspired by the Reading Museum
If you want a rundown on the history of the town, then this is the place for you. Located within the Reading Town Hall, the museum houses galleries that describe the history of the town right from inception. Sculpture, art, and paintings right from the 12-20th century, showrooms containing mosaics, coins, jewelry, pottery and galleries of artifacts recovered during excavations are on display. The Bayeux Tapestry that details historical events right till the Norman conquest of England is a pictorial representation of the 11th century. The history of Reading, industries that flourished during the different periods and sections devoted to the history of beer and brewing is inspiring. Archaeology and natural history artifacts take you way back way in time and there’s even a gallery that talks of the influence that biscuit makers had on the Reading industry.
Peek at the Beale Park Bird Collection
Located in Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, the park houses an amazing collection of birds. It was formed in 1956 when Gilbert Beale converted his 350-acre private farm into parkland for the people. Being on the banks of the River Thames, the park provides a fantastic background to all the rare and endangered birds and animals housed there. The collection of birds includes peacocks of which Gilbert Beale was very fond of and also owls, parrots, swans, and many farm animals too. A train track, a deer park, boat trips across the river Thames add to the attractions. It’s a great place for children too- two large splash pools, a huge playground, a cafeteria and to cap it all - a Gift shop promising entertainment galore.
Discover Greek mythology at the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology
Don’t miss out on this one--it’s much more than an accumulation of dusty pots and pans. With more than 2000 objects on display, it houses a fine collection of Greek ceramics that tells you more about Greek mythology than you will ever learn from textbooks. Prehistoric pottery stone and metal objects pertaining to the Roman and Greek periods make for a fascinating display of history. You have a chance to get to know more about Egyptians too through a collection of artifacts that include, jewelry, grave offerings and other antiques that take you right up to the Roman period. A great place for historians and those who love history.
A family outing at Wonder Woods at Stonor
The Stonor manor house, where the families have lived for over 850 years has immense historical value. The views and the gardens, the 17th-century fountain, herbaceous perennials and gardens with batteries add to the manor’s natural dignity and immense beauty. Children can have great fun here as there’s so much to do- be it climbing, swinging, jumping or splashing in the water. There’s a playhouse where they can run wild, a pyramid tower which they can climb and slide off from, an actual tree house, a spooky tunnel and so many other things that will get them going right from when they enter. History, fun, and culture mixed in a palatable way.
Imbibe history at Reading Abbey
Situated right in the center Reading in Berkshire, this abbey was founded by Henry I in 1121. The ruined abbey consists of the south transept, the arms that form a cross and project out from the church, the refectory or the dining room of the monks and the chapter house- the meeting place for monks. The abbey was recently restored and the Abbey Gateway was repaired as it was not safe for visitors. Now you can actually combine a River Thames cruise that stops at the Abbey Ruins and Town Center and also has stops at a few major locations.
So why do so many people opt for TravelCar? See for yourself-
TravelCar is an insightful parking provider that puts people first- and that means catering to the requirements in a responsible and accountable manner. Many online bookings have been abandoned because the process is complex- that’s where TravelCar scores over the others. It's online reservation and booking process have been simplified to such an extent that it’s child’s play to reserve a parking space online. Apart from that, TravelCar adds to its popularity kitty by offering low-cost parking spaces and that too at rates lower than that offered by its competitors. Cheap and easy parking, easy accessibility and security are the salient features of TravelCar.
TravelCar’s reputation is an offshoot of its professionalism. It interacts comprehensively with prospects and customers and always adopts a courteous and willing attitude. Helping travelers and visitors with queries, aiding them in making a decision and making things easy for them is something that comes naturally to staff and service personnel. It maintains a positive image, cultivates existing connections and is flexible in its approach. By always being helpful and responsive to those seeking information, TravelCar is a parking provider that ‘cares’. It resolves issues immediately without allowing them to escalate and makes customers feel important and special. Satisfied customers translate into success for the company.
When it comes to parking prices, TravelCar stands tall amidst its rivals. Its low-cost parking and discounted services go down well with travelers seeking affordable parking without compromising on quality. The TravelCar assurance when it comes to parking, prices, and services are rather reassuring for car owners searching for parking spots. It does seem too good to be true, but you can compare its rates and services with that of other providers before deciding. There’s no doubt that TravelCar will be your first and last choice.
When you opt for TravelCar as your parking provider, you get more than just good rates and good service. You even get to opt for parking spots that are close to wherever you want them- close to downtown attractions, close to the train station or airport or even close to your hotel. The proximity of parking spots makes parking and accessibility so much easier.
Best After Sales Service
Sales and after-sales service go hand in hand. TravelCar believes in traveling the entire customer journey, right from booking and reserving of spaces to well beyond, because this generates brand value for the provider and also creates loyal customers. Every traveler, every visitor and every customer counts and that’s why the parking provider goes all out to ensure that everything ends on a high note. There may be irritants on the way but TravelCar ensures that they don’t surface. Everyone who works with TravelCar ensures that customers are always satisfied. That requires a lot of patience and willingness- something that is found in abundance. Staff and personnel are available 24/7 and help travelers in all the ways they can- answer queries about booking and reservation, clarify doubts and settle issues.