Royal Berkshire Hospital

Download: Getting to the Royal Berkshire Hospital leaflet

If you are traveling by bus

A number of buses travel between the hospital and Reading town centre. For up-to-date service details call Reading Buses on 0118 959 4000 or visit: www.reading-buses.co.uk 

Some Thames Valley buses stop at the hospital; for service details call 0118 973 3486 or visit: https://www.thamesvalleybuses.com/

There is a 300 'hospital' park and ride service between Royal Berkshire Hospital and the Mereoak and Thames Valley Park park and ride sites.

The 300 bus service runs Monday to Friday from 6am until 7pm buses run up to every 20 minutes, journeys cost £2 per single and parking costs £1 at Mereoak and £1 per hour at Thames Valley Park, capped at £4 per day.

For more information see Reading Buses website.

If you are traveling by train

There are frequent services by train to Reading town centre from outlying areas served by the hospital. For up to date information on train services call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 4849 50 or visit: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk. The hospital is a 15 minute walk from Reading railway station.

If you are traveling by bicycle

Bicycle racks are available near Maternity, Endoscopy, Battle Block, North Block, South Block

If you are travelling by car

Parking for patients and visitors coming to the Royal Berkshire Hospital can be found on levels 0 – 3 of the multi-storey car park on Craven Road, North Block car park on London Road, Endoscopy car park on Craven Road and Melrose House car park on London Road.

If you are parking at multi-storey, North Block and Endoscopy car parks; you do not need to take a ticket when you enter as your car will be registered with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and you do not need to display a ticket in your car. Pay on exit. The barriers at the multi-story car park will automatically rise whether you have made payment or not. Pay machines can be found on levels 0,1,2 and 3 and accept card or coins (no change given). Payment can also be made on the APCOA Connect app or on their website using the ‘Late Pay Option’ within 24 hours of exiting the car park.

Melrose House Car Park operates on a pay and display basis. Pay before you leave your car and display the ticket.

Car Park Pricing
All prices are benchmarked against other local car parks, and all income is reinvested back into supporting patient and staff transport such as our dedicated Park and Ride. 

Blue Badge Parking

You can find designated Blue Badge parking spaces on levels 0 and 2 of the multi-storey car park, North Block car park, Endoscopy car park, Melrose House Car Park and West Drive (Redlands Road)
Blue Badge holders are eligible for free parking. Leave the clock section of the Blue Badge in your car and take the ID section of the badge into the hospital.

Pre-register the vehicle and Blue Badge with APCOA. This will pre-register the Blue Badge and vehicle at all participating APCOA managed car parks UK wide and you will not need to register during your visit. 

Alternatively, to validate parking please go to main reception on level 2 with the ID section of the blue badge.

• Disabled toilets
• Changing Places toilet (Main Entrance, Level 1). The toilet is locked with a key available 24/7 from security at Main Reception on Level 2. More information is available on this Changing Places webpage.
• Buggy service for transporting patients and visitors who have walking difficulties (Main Entrance Reception, Level 2)
• M&S convenience store (Main Entrance, Level 2)
• Cash machine (Main Entrance opposite the reception desk, Level 2)

Cafes & Restaurants

• Eating Hub and Delights Deli Bar - South Block, Level 1
• AMT Coffee Hut - Main Entrance, Level 1
• League of Friends Coffee House - Battle Block, Level 1
• Jamaica Blue - South Block, Level 2
• Pumpkin Cafe - Main Block, Level 2

Wi-fi

Public wi-fi is available across all inpatient and outpatient areas. Please connect to RBFT_GUEST and follow the prompts.

We can't guarantee wi-fi coverage in corridors, car parks or other transitional spaces.

What to expect when visiting a patient at the Royal Berkshire Hospital:

• General visitors between 2pm and 8pm daily.
  
  
• OPEN VISITING for carers, care partners and relatives of patients with dementia, learning disabilities, and those at the end of their life.
  
  
• Only TWO VISITORS per patient at a time please.
  
  
• DO NOT VISIT if you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of Covid, colds, flu or other respiratory infections or vomiting and diarrhoea.
  
  
• Please respect the privacy of our patients, visitors and staff members by not filming or photographing them without their consent.
  
  
• If you need support or advice, please contact:
  • Patient Advice and Liaison (PALS) Team, Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm. Telephone 0118 322 8338
  • Hospital Palliative Care Team.  Telephone 0118 322 7826
  • Spiritual Healthcare Team Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm telephone 0118 322 7105 or via switchboard (0118 322 5111) out of hours
    
    
• If you're concerned about a patient's condition, and you've already spoken to the ward nurse or doctor, please use Call 4 Concern, our patient safety service.
  
  
• Friends and relatives can also stay in touch with patients by smart device / mobile. There are iPads on the wards so you can safely communicate via video / social media.
  
  
• Please speak to the WARD MANAGER or NURSE IN CHARGE if you have any questions.