Reading Museum
Reading Museum
Town Hall
Blagrave Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 1QH
England
Website
General enquiries
Education enquiries
education@readingmuseum.org.uk
Collection enquiries
Reading Foundation for Art enquiries
Telephone
0118 937 3400
Fax
0118 9373481
Welcome to the Reading Museum. Explore our eleven galleries of amazing objects local and global. There’s something for everyone from biscuit tins to beetles, Romans to Rodin. We halso have an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.
The Museum offers a host of family friendly activities and facilities, including hands-on workshops suitable for all ages from toddlers to adults.
Our cafe offers home-made cakes, fair-trade tea and coffee. In the shop you can browse a range of gifts that includes Huntley & Palmers biscuits and tins, Reading memorabilia and Victorian-style toys. Follow the links to find out more.
We offer a comprehensive education service available through our Hands-On Learning programme. Call for more details.
Admission is free to the Riverside Museum at Blake's Lock, which is open every day.
Venue Type:
Museum
Additional info
There is no parking immediately outside the Museum.
The Museum is 2 minutes walk from Reading railway station.
Nearest car parks are at Garrard St, Queens Rd, The Oracle and Reading station.
At the Reading Museum you can explore the social and natural history of Reading and surrounding area, including:
The Biscuit Town: Uncover the story behind biscuit makers Huntley & Palmers
Learn about the daily life and fascinating history of the once-splendid Reading Abbey.
Explore what the Romans did for us in the Silchester Gallery of Roman Life.
Britain's copy of the Bayeux Tapestry - displayed in its magnificent 70 metre entirety in a purpose-built gallery. This faithful replica was made by 35 skilled Victorian women embroiderers in 1885.(THERE ARE REGULAR FREE GUIDED-TOURS EVERY SATURDAY 14.15-15.00!)
Changing visual art and special exhibitions.
Collection details
World Cultures, Weapons and War, Trade and Commerce, Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Photography, Natural Sciences, Music, Inland Waterways, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archives, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Huntley & Palmers.
- Biscuit Town.
- Biscuit tins.
- Reading Abbey.
- Sumer is incumen in.
- Forbury Gardens.
- Reading Festival.
- Reading Festival history.
- Britain's Bayeux Tapestry.
- C20 art.
- Box Room gallery.
- Marcus Adams. Gilbert Adams.
- Alan Caiger Smith.
- Social and natural history of Reading.
- Silchester Roman collection.
- Madejski Art Gallery.
- John Madejski Art Gallery.
Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines
- 23 July 2014 2-3pm *on now
Andrew Bird will give an account of his recent discoveries about the Royal Flying Corps in Reading. Part of our regular series of informal talks on Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer. Speakers will be some of Reading’s leading local historians as well as museum staff. Q and A included. After the talk enjoy a cream tea in our Palmers café (pick up your voucher from reception when paying).
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission
£5.00 per person. Booking essential.
Website
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/events/details/488/
First World War Family History Roadshow
- 10 August 2014 11am-4pm
A First World War Family History Roadshow in collaboration with Europeana 14-18. Come along and help to create Europe’s largest virtual memory bank by bringing in your First World War family stories and memorabilia for identification and digitisation by our panel of experts.
Suitable for
- Any age
Website
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/events/details/494/
We Will Remember
- 20 August 2014 2-3pm
Reading Remembrance Trust founder Liz Tait will tell the hidden history of Reading’s First World War graves and memorials. Part of our regular series of informal talks on Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer. Speakers will be some of Reading’s leading local historians as well as museum staff. Q and A included. After the talk enjoy a cream tea in our Palmers café (pick up your voucher from reception when paying).
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission
£5.00, pay on the day, booking essential (0118 937 3400).
Website
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/events/details/489/
Your Country Needs You
- 3 September 2014 2-3pm
Historian Dr Margaret Simons will talk about the role of Reading women during the First World War. Part of our regular series of informal talks on Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer. Speakers will be some of Reading’s leading local historians as well as museum staff. Q and A included. After the talk enjoy a cream tea in our Palmers café (pick up your voucher from reception when paying).
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission
£5.00, pay on the day, booking essential (0118 937 3400).
Website
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/events/details/490/
Activity Cart
Visit us throughout the half term and enjoy Medieval themed art and craft activities.
How to obtain
All ages, FREE, drop in
Bayeux Tapestry Tours
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/news/diary.asp
Enjoy a guided tour of the famous full-size facsimile Tapestry. Tours are suitable for all ages and take place on Saturdays at 14.15-15.00.
How to obtain
There is no need to book for the tours and they are free - just turn up.
Museum Surgery
EVERY THURSDAY
Visitors can discover more about the collections, or ask for help in identifying interesting objects (NB no valuations can be given).
12.00pm - 4.00pm
How to obtain
FREE, drop in
Tales for Tots
http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/news/diary.asp
Drop in for a story inspired by and using objects from the Reading Museum collection. Stories are suitable for children aged 0-5 years and take place on term time Wednesdays, 10.30-11.30.
How to obtain
Stories are free and there is no need to book - just drop in.
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