Of course, a day out with the kids can quickly become expensive, four tickets at £20, a few drinks and a meal at £50 and £100 is easily breached. So, what about some ideas for a free day out ?

Well, there is always the option of a picinic, but where to take it ?

The obvious place in Reading is Forbury Gardens and the Abbey Ruins.  You can follow your guide here: Abbey Ruins | Reading Museum. Nearby Reading Museum is also totally free, where you can see the magnificent copy of the Bayeux Tapestry and follow the town's history. The related Blake's Lock Museum has a small collection and a magnificent gypsy caravan built in Reading. It's worth a quick visit on a walk down the canal to the Thames.

The Roman ruins at Silchester are also free, and combined with a visit to Reading Museum can make for an interesting couple of days.

There are plenty of adventure playgorunds, at Dinton Meadows, California Park and Elms Park, all in Wokingham (but look out for parking costs). It is sad to report that the leisure facilities that Wokingham Borough Council put into their outdoor parks far outstrip the pathetic attempts in Reading, where facilities are basic and paltry. Come on RBC ! 

The reality is that Reading lacks free resources for our children, especially older kids. The council is especially errant in not doing more as its own What's On website reveals.