Hi guys!  This year I have decided to utilise the great railway connections Reading has and I thought I would share some easy nearby destinations I plan to visit with my 16-25 saver rail card.  Did you know you can get a free rail card if you open up a student bank account with certain banks? Or you can claim one with Tescos points (which is what I did).  London First off we have the obvious… London-now I won’t get too much into this location as I already have a whole blog about my recommendations… but I will say (again)- it’s 20 minutes away so GO!  Okay… now the rest: starting with  2. Oxford Travel Time: - 25-30 minutes by train I’ve heard that Oxford is really beautiful and full of history. It’s only a short train ride from Reading, so I’m definitely planning to visit soon.  The University buildings look amazing in pictures, and I’ve been told the Bodleian Library is a must-see. Plus, punting on the river sounds like a fun (and slightly touristy) thing to do- maybe I’ll have my Bridget Jones's diary moment.  My parents recently went and they recommended I visit Blackwells for their wide selection of books, and they also have a collectors section!  Online I’ve also seen some images of the covered market - and as a foodie I’m so in.  I’m considering a walking tour to get a feel for the history, as it’s supposed to be really cool. 3. Windsor Travel Time: 30 minutes by train Windsor is on my list mainly because I’ve never seen an English castle in real life, and Windsor Castle is supposed to be amazing.  Plus, there’s the Long Walk through Windsor Great Park, which looks like the perfect spot for a long afternoon- I’m hoping to go when the leaves have turned orange :)  I ’ve also heard the town itself is really pretty, with lots of cute shops and cafes to explore after checking out the castle- but I'm definitely going to bring a pack lunch and I recommend you do too because tourism = expensive (at least in my experience).  Tip: Student discounts for Windsor Castle are apparently a thing, so I’ll be looking into that when buying tickets! 4. Bath Travel Time: 1 hour by train Bath is a little further away, but it seems totally worth it- I’ve only heard good things from friends and lots of famous people go there so it must be good!  Visiting the Roman Baths , and the idea of walking through a city that has been around for centuries is just really cool. I also plan on also following the Bridgerton filming locations whilst there (who doesn’t love a bit of history and fiction). Tip: The city is supposed to be rather walkable, so no need for extra transport. 5. Henley-on-Thames Travel Time: 30 minutes by bus or train This one is for a more chilled-out day when I just want to relax… also I’m a student at Henley business school and I haven’t been to Henley - I need to fix that.  Henley-on-Thames is known for its river views, and it’s supposed to be perfect for a peaceful day out.  I’m thinking of grabbing some friends, packing a picnic, and spending a day walking along the river and maybe visiting the River & Rowing Museum.  I might have to plan to do this more in summer though- or during a dry week during autumn if I’m lucky (haha)! These are just a few of the places I’m excited to check out while I’m here. Studying at Reading makes it super easy to explore the surrounding areas, and I love that I can get out and see sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist in your own country.  Bonus: my flatmate mentioned that Pangbourne which is a short journey from Reading has an Aston Martin store… so if you like cars that’s the place to be.  Check out my student's guide to visiting London here ! Feel free to message me if you have anymore questions :)