Reading Museum

Reading Museum
Town Hall
Blagrave Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 1QH
England

Website

www.readingmuseum.org.uk

www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk

www.huntleyandpalmers.org.uk

E-mail

Telephone

0118 937 3400

Fax

0118 9373481

All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

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

Opening hours

Tues-Sat 1000-1600
Sunday & Bank Holidays 1100-1600

Closed: Monday - except Half Term (October and February 10.00-16.00)

Admission charges

Entry to the Reading Museum is free.

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.

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.

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.