Bow Guest House | City stay in Reading | Book Now

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Key details

About the Hotel

25 Russell St, Reading, United Kingdom, RG1 7XD

Close to The Oracle

Very good

7.5

/10

2.2

3.9

Loved by Bow Guest House guests

Clean rooms
Great breakfast
Friendly staff
Central location
Free parking
Comfortable stay

"Free off street parking which seems to be unusual for reading, and very appreciated."

Jennifer from United Kingdom

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"Old school bed and breakfast, room was comfortable for the price paid it also included breakfast and free parking."

William from United Kingdom

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"The towels were exquisite, and the cooked breakfast equally so."

Sarah

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4-star guest house with picturesque garden in Reading

Rooms

Bow Guest House offers a selection of well-appointed accommodations, including single, double, twin, and family rooms. Each room includes an en-suite bathroom for added privacy and convenience. Guests can choose from comfortable beds and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.

Dining

The guest house provides a hearty full English breakfast each morning, made with fresh ingredients. In addition, the dining area supports a relaxed atmosphere for guests to enjoy meals. Guests can also opt for lighter fare or vegetarian breakfast options available.

Location

Bow Guest House is conveniently located close to Reading town center, offering easy access to shops and local attractions. The nearby transport links make it a strategic base for exploring the surrounding areas. Guests can reach the picturesque River Thames and beautiful parks within walking distance.

Outdoor Spaces

The hotel boasts a charming garden area, creating a serene environment for relaxation. Guests can enjoy the outdoor seating, ideal for morning coffee or evening conversations. The garden serves as a pleasant backdrop for unwinding after a day of activities.

Parking

Bow Guest House offers free off-street parking for all guests, enhancing convenience during their stay. The designated parking area is secure, allowing guests peace of mind. Availability ensures easy access to vehicles without any added stress.

Highlights

Rooms: single, double, twin, and family rooms

Dining: full English breakfast

Location: close to Reading town center

Outdoor: charming garden area

Must-do experiences

Visit the Forbury Gardens for a peaceful afternoon stroll.
Savor a hearty Meal at the iconic The Castle Tap pub.
Explore the Reading Abbey ruins for a glimpse of history.
Don't miss The Oracle shopping center for exclusive finds.
Try the local delicacy, 'Pork Scratchings', at the market.

Location: Great

8.8/10Review score

See hotel location on map

Guest Emotional Experience

Away at HomeHeartwarming hospitality

“What wasn't expected was the warmth of the welcome, the kindness of the family running the guest house and the keenness to make our stay a pleasant one.”

Jane from United Kingdom

Quiet Nights for Busy DaysPeace and quiet

“The room itself was very quiet.”

Sarah

Perfect for Finding FriendsA warm welcome

“The staff were so happy to see me and made me feel so welcome.”

Michael from United Kingdom

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Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Budget Double Room

2 persons

165 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Heating

room details

Single Room

2 persons

100 sq. feet

1 Single bed

Heating

room details

Single Room Private Bathroom

2 persons

130 sq. feet

1 Single bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Twin Room Private Bathroom

2 persons

130 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Very good

7.0/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Free parking
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Guest Parking

Electric kettle
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Services

Housekeeping

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots

Room features

Heating
Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Bow Guest House Location

25 Russell St, Reading, United Kingdom, RG1 7XD

Map view

25 Russell St, Reading, United Kingdom, RG1 7XD

City landmarks

Museum

The Museum of Reading

3900 ft

Park

Forbury Gardens

4200 ft

Landmark

Reading

4000 ft

Art object

Statue of Queen Victoria

3000 ft

Museum

Reading Abbey Ruins

1.3 mi

Church

Greyfriars Church

2100 ft

Mall

The Oracle

3800 ft

Church

Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin

2100 ft

Museum

The Museum of English Rural Life

1.4 mi

Landmark

Courage Park

1.0 mi

Park

Prospect Park

1.1 mi

Landmark

St. James & St. William of York Church

5100 ft

Gallery

The Lemon Grove Gallery Ltd

2700 ft

Church

St Laurence's Church

3200 ft

Landmark

Chestnut Walk

3900 ft

Landmark

Douai Abbey

3900 ft

Landmark

County Lock

2300 ft

Mall

Broad Street Mall

2500 ft

Landmark

Coley Park

3000 ft

Landmark

The Royal Berkshire Medical Museum

5100 ft

Landmark

Maiwand Lion

3600 ft

Mall

John Lewis & Partners

2300 ft

Night club

Q Club

2700 ft

Landmark

Grosvenor Casino Reading Central

4100 ft

Event hall

Grosvenor Casino Reading South

1.1 mi

Landmark

South Street Arts Centre

5000 ft

Landmark

King's Meadow

1.2 mi

Landmark

Caversham Court Gardens

1.5 mi

Casino

Genting Casino

1.2 mi

Nearby

122 Castle Hill

Deadlocked Escape Rooms Reading

1000 ft

Restaurants

Singapore Chinese Takeaway

1000 ft

92 Oxford Road

Pizza House

1100 ft

80 Oxford Rd

Sweeney & Todd

2600 ft

10 Castle Street

Fernandos

1800 ft

41 Oxford Street

Mr Chips & Bubble Tea

1800 ft

33 Oxford Street

Boswells Cafe

2100 ft

42-43 Broad Street Mall

Perfect Fried Chicken

1900 ft

158 Oxford Road

Rafina

2300 ft

45 West Street

Explore Reading

Local Highlights

Forbury Gardens

16 minutes' walk

A beautifully landscaped park featuring the iconic Maiwand Lion and vibrant flower displays, perfect for a relaxing stroll.

The Museum of Reading

14 minutes' walk

Showcasing the history of Reading with fascinating exhibits and artifacts, this museum offers free admission on certain days.

Reading Abbey Ruins

25 minutes' walk

The historic site of the 12th-century abbey, featuring expansive ruins and a peaceful atmosphere that's great for history lovers.

Fobney Island Nature Reserve

25 minutes' walk

A nature lover's paradise with walking trails and birdwatching opportunities, ideal for a peaceful escape into nature.

Deadlocked Escape Rooms Reading

4 minutes' walk

A thrilling escape room experience with various themed challenges catering to thrill-seekers and group fun.

Singapore Chinese Takeaway

4 minutes' walk

Offers authentic Chinese dishes in a casual setting, known for its flavorful noodle dishes and quick service.

Sweeney & Todd

10 minutes' walk

A charming pie shop famous for its hearty meat pies and warm atmosphere, a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Broad Street Mall

10 minutes' walk

A lively shopping and entertainment hub featuring various retail shops, eateries, and occasional live events.

The Lemon Grove Gallery Ltd

10 minutes' walk

An art gallery that hosts local exhibitions and events, perfect for art lovers seeking cultural experiences.

Getting around

City Centre

Reading4 min · 1000 ft

Airports

London Heathrow (LHR)69 min · 28.4 mi

Southampton (SOU)108 min · 44.6 mi

Train

Reading Train Station11 min · 3000 ft

Bus

Bus stop3 min · 700 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-21:00

Check-out

from 10:00-11:00

Guest Parking

Private parking is possible on site for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in for free.

Breakfast

At the hotel Bow Guest House guests are invited to a full breakfast served for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Languages

Hindi, Urdu

Number of rooms:

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Bow Guest House is frequently praised for its convenient location near the town centre and free parking. Guests enjoy the included breakfast, often highlighting the full English option. While some guests have noted that certain rooms can be quite small and access may involve steep, narrow stairs, the rooms are generally considered comfortable and well-equipped with amenities like TVs. The guesthouse is conveniently situated near eateries and takeaways, with a bus stop just around the corner.

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Review score

Based on 115 verified reviews

7.3/10

Very good

73%

Recommend

Staff

9.2/10

Location

8.8/10

Facilities

7.0/10

Comfort

7.6/10

Pros

Warm welcome

Excellent breakfast

Free parking

Helpful staff

Cons

Freezing room

Poor cleaning

Broken shower

Understaffed cleaning

Humphrey from United Kingdom

Single

Single Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 30, 2026

7/10

Satisfactory B&B Experience

helpful staffprivate bathsteep stairssmall room

The staff was very friendly and helpful. One staff member assisted me with my bags to my car when I was leaving (a nice touch!). The room was basic, yet comfortable, and it provided everything I needed. I opted for a private bath (the shower and sink were right in the room).

The room was small. Access to my room was a bit of an issue with steep narrow stairs (it was tough). Too many rooms were located in a house that wasn't designed for that purpose.

0 Helpful

aiden from united kingdom

Single

single room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 15, 2025

9.3/10

lovely service, great brekky!

friendly staffclean roomdelicious breakfast

the staff were friendly and accommodating, it was like i was welcomed. my room and the carpets were really clean. the breakfast i got each morning was a highlight of my stay, very yummy. i was also given a lovely greeting when i checked out.

the stairs to my room were quite steep, so that was a bit tricky with my luggage.

Location

9/10

the guest house is conveniently close to several eateries and takeaways, providing plenty of dining options. a bus stop is at the end of the next street. this location offers great convenience.

Dining

9/10

the full english breakfast included cereal and fresh orange juice. there was also two toast, all cooked to a good standard and served by a very friendly lady. the breakfast service was really appreciated.

Service

10/10

sundeep at reception was very attentive making sure i had everything i needed! he even carried my bag to my room, a kind gesture i did not ask for.

0 Helpful

Luna from Spain

Single

Single Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 09, 2025

7/10

easy accesswarm greetingsmall roomsteep stairs

the place was easy to find and i got in without a problem (the directions were super clear). i was welcomed when i arrived and checking out was simple too.

my room felt quite small (it was probably the smallest room in the hotel). i also noticed the stairs seemed really steep and narrow getting to my room.

0 Helpful

Connor from Ireland

Business traveller

single room

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: August 27, 2025

7/10

a basic stay

nice breakfasthelpful staffsmall roomsteep stairs

the included breakfast was really nice it set me up well for the day. the staff were friendly and helpful i had everything i needed.

the room was quite small it was difficult to move around. the stairs to my room were very steep they were also quite narrow.

0 Helpful

Christina from Sweden

Single

Single Room

3 nights in June 2025

Reviewed: July 06, 2025

9.0/10

Comfortable and Convenient Stay

friendly stafffree parkingenglish breakfastdining options

I found the staff very friendly. They helped me with my bags upon departure. The location was easy to reach and had free off-street parking, which I greatly appreciated. I enjoyed the full English breakfast. It was well-prepared. The guest house is near various eateries, convenient for dining options.

The shared bathroom was not the most modern, though it was clean.

Dining

9/10

The breakfast included cereal with fresh orange juice. A full English breakfast was available. I had two slices of toast cooked perfectly.

Service

10/10

The staff offered a very friendly greeting at check-in. The owner was courteous. One of the staff helped me with my bags to my car when I was leaving.

Rooms

8/10

I had a single room. It was clean. The room had everything I needed. The room was okay for my short stay.

0 Helpful