Reading Abbey Ruins — Attraction in Reading

Review of Reading Abbey Ruins

Reading Abbey Ruins is a fascinating historical site located in the heart of Reading, Berkshire, England. It is the largest ruined abbey in England and dates back to the 12th century. The ruins are free to visit and offer a unique glimpse into the past.

The abbey was founded by King Henry I in 1121 and was once a thriving religious center. It was home to over 200 monks and played an important role in the life of the local community. The abbey was also a popular pilgrimage destination, thanks to its possession of a number of important relics, including the hand of St. James the Great.

The abbey was dissolved in 1539 during the English Reformation. Much of the abbey was destroyed, but the ruins that remain are still impressive. Visitors can explore the ruins of the abbey church, cloisters, and chapter house. There are also a number of informative plaques that provide information about the history of the abbey.

One of the most striking features of the ruins is the size and scale of the abbey church. The church was once one of the largest in England and its ruins are still awe-inspiring.

The cloisters are another beautiful part of the ruins. The cloisters were a place where the monks could walk and pray.

The chapter house was where the monks met to discuss important matters.

The Reading Abbey Ruins are a must-see for anyone interested in history or architecture. The ruins are free to visit and offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Here are some tips for visiting Reading Abbey Ruins:

The ruins are open to the public from dawn to dusk.

There is no admission fee.

The ruins are located in the heart of Reading, so they are easily accessible by public transportation or on foot.

There are a number of informative plaques throughout the ruins that provide information about the history of the abbey.

The ruins are outdoors, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.

There is a cafe located nearby where visitors can purchase drinks and snacks.

Overall, Reading Abbey Ruins is a fascinating and well-maintained historical site. It is a great place to learn about the history of Reading and to see the ruins of a...

Easy, free, and a true piece of history. The Abbey ruins are at the heart of Reading history. To truly get the most out of the experience of the Abbey Ruins, I would highly recommend that you go to the Reading Museum first and learn about the history of the entire city. The museum has pieces of the Abbey on display and what you learn there will help you to understand how the ruins play into the whole of Reading’s past. The ruins are about a 5-minute walk through Forbury Gardens and are free to the public and all outdoors. There are several structures with informational signs throughout the various parts of the grounds. They are ruins so that should be a clear indication that these are not complete structures, they are pieces of the buildings from 900 years before. It is all outdoors so I would not suggest visiting if it is raining. Each of the informational signs explains where you are in relation to the structures as they were when they were built. When I visited the site they had just finished having a music festival on the grounds so we had to pick our way around the structures to read some of the signs. It is a wonderful piece of history that is well maintained and explained from the placards. It is also free to the public. I would highly recommend to visitors to learn about it...

I had to spend the day in Reading as my car was being serviced at Dacia so I met up with a friend who took me to see the Abbey Ruins and the Forbury Gardens. In medieval times, Reading was the site of a great royal Abbey – a religious community centred round a magnificent church - one of the largest monasteries in Europe. In 1121, King Henry I announced that he wanted to have a new abbey built at Reading. The Abbey would have a large and impressive church and living quarters for dozens of monks, who would worship in the church. No expense was spared in its construction. Henry I is buried there but the grave is unmarked. The Maiwand Lion is a sculpture and war memorial in the Forbury Gardens, a public park in the town of Reading built in the grounds of the old Abbey. The statue was named after the Battle of Maiwand and was unveiled in December 1886 to commemorate the deaths of 329 men from the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot during the campaign in the Second Anglo-Afghan War in Afghanistan between 1878 and 1880. It is sometimes known locally as the...