The summer has ended, and another academic year has begun. With students settling down and focusing on school, a cosy café or a peaceful library may be helpful in encouraging young people to commit to their studies by making it a fun and social activity. This raises the question: Where is the best study environment in Reading? 

Black sheep, Costa Coffee, Café Nero, Biscuit Factory, Starbucks, Pret a Manger and Creperie Doux Sourire (which opened recently) are just some of the cafés in Reading a student may choose from when organising a study outing with friends.  

When interviewing a group of 16 year olds, I asked three questions: 

 Which place has the best student friendly menu?  

Which has the best interior?  

Which is in the best place location?   

One student said: “Pret a Manger has decent prices, interior is cosy and not too busy. Its location adds to its convenience.” Pret a Manger is situated in the heart of Reading town centre and is adjacent to the Oracle shopping mall, rendering it a popular café on the high street. Another student expressed the opposite. She was most likely to go to Biscuit Factory to study, as it is further away from the busy Reading town high street, thus less distracting- “Biscuit Factory is a mix of library and café environment, good for solo studying and it has student friendly prices.” Black Sheep, which currently has expanded to two locations in Reading town centre, was also mentioned as a ‘study café’ option. However a majority of students said that their menu was overpriced, and the grunge-style, dimly lit interior makes it harder to study. 

Creperie Doux Sourire, located in Riverside, is a café that has recently opened its doors. I interviewed the café’s manager Paul Nicklinson, who says that it is a “real mix of people” that use it as a focus space. It has a mature vibe about it, it serves alcohol and the interior is classy and chic. Unlike Black Sheep Coffee, Costa and Pret a Manger, Creperie Doux Sourire does not yet offer student discount. 

Some students may prefer a more academic environment to encourage them in their studies, and opt to study at a library instead of a café. There are several libraries in Reading to choose from e.g. University of Reading Library and Reading Central Library, to name a few.  

With its 1 million+ volumes, collection of rare books and amazing facilities, University of Reading’s Library is a popular choice, especially amongst University Students. Its facilities were recently refurbished (completed in 2019), with its interior design and style aimed at and suited for young people in mind. 

Reading Central Library is also a good choice, with its convenient location and accessibility. However students have said that they prefer Reading University Library due to its better facilities. This may change with Reading Library moving locations in 2025.