Reading Museum
Reading Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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A great museum in the heart of Reading! Must See! The Reading, UK museum is a fantastic place to explore if you're curious about history and local culture. It is located at the southeast corner of Blagrave and Volpy intersection. When I visited, it was under construction but signs directed you toward the entrance. As a new visitor, you'll find it full of interesting things to see and learn about. When you walk in, You are looking at an information counter. The museum is a multi-story affair to the left of the entrance. It was a friendly atmosphere and the staff was very friendly and willing to offer any help to guide you. The museum has a wide variety of exhibits, like ancient artifacts, artwork, and interactive displays. They make history come alive! The bottom floor had a section about the town's history. You can discover how Reading has changed over time, from its beginnings to the present day. It's like taking a journey through time! The 2nd floor had a recreation of the Bayeux tapestry with an explanation that was fascinating. The upper floors have wonderful art pieces including one of the largest Roman Mosaics that I have ever seen intact from the area. In summary, the Reading, UK museum is a welcoming place where you can explore history, art, and culture. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, it's a great spot to visit and learn something new about this charming town. I highly recommend it. Enjoy your visit!
Ward DoughertyWard Dougherty
40
A lovely museum with a great central location (just a stone’s throw from the train station). As a needlework geek and history geek, seeing the full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry was a dream come true. It’s very simply presented in lit cabinets with brief translations/explanations below each panel, interspersed with more detailed information and other relevant artworks. There’s an interesting history of Reading exhibit on the ground floor, with some great artefacts from the time of Henry I; a terrific guide to the Roman town of Silchester, with hundreds of archaeological finds; a small natural history display; a modern art exhibit; and the Huntley and Palmers gallery which I sadly didn’t have time to explore. The museum was very quiet on a Tuesday midday, which was nice for an adult to be able to wander without the screams of overexcited school children. There were several volunteers dotted about who were all helpful and friendly. Highly recommend taking a couple of hours to visit if you’re in the vicinity. Entry is free with donations welcomed.
Jen WilliamsJen Williams
50
If you want to visit the museum precovid, you must book online on their website, although the did not look at my ticket strangely enough. The museum has a one way system throughout the building for safety regarding covid. This was very well done and well thought out to prevent people from walking by each other in tight spaces or corridors. The museum is three stories high. The first floor has all the information, history, paintings and items on the history of Reading. I had a delightful time reading and viewing all the items and pieces of art. The second floor has a replica of a 70 metre tapestry on King Henry and his son. It was almost a form of a picture story. This was unique and I had a blast reading the notes and looking at what had happened through embroided pictures. The third story had art and taxidermy. It's a must see for those who stop over in Reading. I really enjoyed myself!
Zoe TammadgeZoe Tammadge
10
This museum has lots of interest. The ground floor explores the history of the city through the ages. A nice section on the commission of the Abbey by Henry I, and good sections on Reading as a market town between 1700 to 1840. The post 1840 with the advent of steam trains and the industrialisation of the city. The first floor has a reproduction of the Bayeux Tapistry, produced by 35 members of the Leek Embroidery Society in the 1880s, a very impressive piece of work stretching around the walls of the room. Reading was also home to the famous biscuit manufacturers, Huntley and Palmer. Don't miss the wonderful exhibition of their 19th and 20th century colourful biscuit tins on the 2nd floor, along with exhibitions of ladybird book illustrations and the roman settlement of Calliva. Free entry to museum, toilets, caffe and lift access to all floors.
Miles MacdonaldMiles Macdonald
20
With free entry, this museum presents a varied array of permanent exhibits, all related with Reading or Berkshire history (from Roman times til middle of the 20th century), biosphere (animals, both current and old, fossils included) and industries (pottery or Huntley and Palmers biscuits), as well as temporary exhibit (usually related to Reading). The amount of galleries and variety of covered topics are more than enough to keep you entertained for an hour or two and on multiple visits. After going there several times, on each visit I ended up discovering some new piece that I hadn't noticed before. Kids aren't forgotten. The majority of the galleries has, at least, one related activity to entertain them and there is also a scavenger hunt style activity available (if not mistaken, for £1). If you've never been, I definitely recommend it.
A RussoA Russo
10
As someone who recently moved to Reading, I wanted to find out more about its history on a dreary January saturday. I was quite blown away by this local museum, I left feeling like I see Reading in a completely different light, and much more excited about living here than before, which in my opinion it’s exactly what a town museum should be like. If your into history like I am, you’ll find yourself immersed in a pool of interesting facts and stories about the rise and fall of the Abbey, about how the town changed over generations. It was much more extensive than I expected, that is why I couldn’t even see it all in one go, but that is a personal preference when it comes to museums, as I like to spend more time than the usual visitor if there is something that I enjoy and am interested about.
Iulian TuricianuIulian Turicianu
30
Nearby Attractions Of Reading Museum
The Oracle
Broad Street Mall
The Range
Reading Winter Wonderland
Reading Abbey Ruins
Christchurch Meadows
Reading
King's Meadow
Forbury Gardens Park
South Street Arts Centre
The Oracle
4.3
(6.9K)Click for details
Broad Street Mall
3.9
(3K)Click for details
The Range
4.1
(1.3K)Click for details
Reading Winter Wonderland
4.2
(784)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Reading Museum
COSMO All You Can Eat World Buffet Restaurant | Reading
Slug & Lettuce - Riverside Reading
House of Flavours
Slug & Lettuce - Friar Street Reading
The Hope Tap - JD Wetherspoon
Treatz Desserts Reading
Miller & Carter Oracle
The Purple Turtle
Bill's Reading Restaurant
Madras Flavours Pure Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
COSMO All You Can Eat World Buffet Restaurant | Reading
4.3
(2.6K)Click for details
Slug & Lettuce - Riverside Reading
4.5
(1.7K)Click for details
House of Flavours
4.4
(2.1K)$$
Click for details
Slug & Lettuce - Friar Street Reading
4.8
(1.4K)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 118 937 3400
Call
Website
readingmuseum.org.uk
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(567 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
attractions: The Oracle, Broad Street Mall, The Range, Reading Winter Wonderland, Reading Abbey Ruins, Christchurch Meadows, Reading, King's Meadow, Forbury Gardens Park, South Street Arts Centre, restaurants: COSMO All You Can Eat World Buffet Restaurant | Reading, Slug & Lettuce - Riverside Reading, House of Flavours, Slug & Lettuce - Friar Street Reading, The Hope Tap - JD Wetherspoon, Treatz Desserts Reading, Miller & Carter Oracle, The Purple Turtle, Bill's Reading Restaurant, Madras Flavours Pure Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
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