The Mill at Sonning
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Reading
What it’s like
Dinner and a show in one evening, with a theatre and restaurant tucked into an old mill building by the river.
This is a dinner-and-show setup, not a quick evening out. You eat in the restaurant or the Waterwheel Bar before you take your seat, and the show itself runs to a proper length: matinees start at 2.15pm, evenings at 8.15pm, with a 20 minute interval halfway through and a finish around 10.30pm (later if it's a musical). If you just want the show, there are show-only matinees and the laughs and illusions evenings, so you don't have to commit to dinner every time.
The building is an old mill, and it shows: the site mentions uneven floors and low ceilings here and there. There's a chair lift between the ground and first floor, but you'll need to transfer out of a wheelchair to use it and staff help you do it. Parking's free on-site, which takes one cost off the evening at least.
A few faffs worth knowing before you book: they don't take American Express, so bring another card. Coaches can't cross Sonning Bridge because of the 7.5 tonne weight limit and have to come round via Henley or Caversham, which is a proper detour if you're arriving in a group. The box office keeps odd, split hours through the week and is shut on Sundays and bank holidays, so don't leave your booking call to a Sunday morning.
If you fancy something a bit different, Thursday afternoon tea is on offer for small parties, but it needs booking 24 hours ahead. There's also a membership scheme, Angel, Friend or Supporter, with priority booking and discounts if you're planning on coming back.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free on-site car parking available
- Food
- Restaurant and Waterwheel Bar serving dinner before evening shows and lunch before matinee shows
- Wheelchairs
- Chair lift from ground floor to first floor
- Getting there by bus or train
- 10 minute taxi ride from Reading, Twyford, Earley and Wargrave stations
- They don't accept American Express, so bring another card
- Coaches can't use Sonning Bridge; they need to come via Henley or Caversham
- The Waterwheel Bar opens all day Thursdays from 10am, otherwise just before shows
- The bar stays open after the show on Saturday evenings only
- Photography during the performance isn't allowed, but you can snap the set beforehand
Plan your visit
How do we book tickets?
Online at their website or by phone through the box office. The box office has split hours during the week and is closed Sundays and bank holidays.
What time does the show start and finish?
Matinees start at 2.15pm, evenings at 8.15pm. It usually wraps up around 10.30pm, later for musicals, with a 20 minute interval partway through.
Do we have to eat dinner to see the show?
Not always. There are show-only matinees and the laughs and illusions evenings if you just want the performance.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking on-site.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
There's a chair lift between floors, but you'll need to transfer out of the wheelchair to use it and staff are on hand to help.
Can we get afternoon tea there?
Thursdays only, for small parties, and it needs booking 24 hours in advance.
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