Reading to Taunton train

Located only 20 minutes west of London, Reading is a large university and market town in the English county of Berkshire. Reading has an intriguing mix of the past and the present, with a vibrant student scene thriving among the city's medieval and Victorian architecture.

Reading sits on the River Thames, at the end-point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, so there are a number of pretty riverside walks to take in the scenery. Explore the gardens and meet the animals at Beadle Wildlife Park, a vast park crisscrossed with nature trails.

To discover the town's past, visit the Reading Museum, where you can take a trip through time from early Saxon settlements to the Industrial Revolution through 21st-century life.

Since Reading is home to a large university, you are always guaranteed exciting nightlife. Filled with many restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs, Reading is the perfect place for a night on the town. Try The Nag's Head, The Lyndhurst, or The Purple Turtle to start your night right.

Because Reading is only a short way from London, getting to Reading is simple. Fly to one of London's large international airports for access from around the world. Reading Train Station is also one of Britain's main railway interchanges, making it easy to reach from all over the country by train. National Express coaches also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.

Taunton is the county town of Somerset, in the south of England. Its 1,000-year history gives it a diverse mix of the old and the new and guarantees that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Take a walk through the newly-pedestrianised streets and take in the vastly diverse architecture that only an ancient town can offer, with the Perpendicular Gothic churches and many Georgian townhouses. Then, visit Taunton Castle for the Museum of Somerset and immerse yourself in the exciting history of the county.

If 21st-century pubs no longer excite you, head to the Tudor Tavern and take in the 16th-century exterior, with the interior said to date back to as early as the 14th century. Although not a tavern anymore, this bygone building is now a cafe, where visitors can sit back, relax, and enjoy the humbling feeling inspired by buildings that have stood the test of time.

For a more modern experience of the town, visit one of Taunton's vast shopping centres, or take a walk down the high street to discover local and independent shops.

Taunton is easily accessible by public transport or by car. National Express coaches run frequent services from many cities throughout the U.K., while Taunton Station provides rail access via the Great Western Railway.