Reading is a large university town on the Rivers Thames and Kennet with historic buildings, particularly in the 'Abbey Quarter' near the Abbey Ruins, as well the modern Oracle shopping centre. The formal Victorian Forbury Gardens are near the station. Reading is pronounced 'Redding'.
The Victorian gothic Town Hall houses collections telling stories of the local historic and
natural environment. Highlights include Victorian paintings, finds from excavations at nearby Silchester,
objects dredged from the Thames, a full size copy of the famous Bayeux Tapestry and a gallery telling the story of Huntley
& Palmers biscuit makers. Café. Tel. 0118 937 3400. Admission free.
Open TWThFS 1000-1600.
www.readingmuseum.org.uk
The Riverside Museum in former industrial buildings tells the story of Reading's two rivers, the Kennet and the Thames.
Highlights include preserved turbine machinery and a gypsy caravan built locally.
Tel. 0118 937 3400. Admission free.
Open Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1800.
www.readingmuseum.org.uk
An extensive collection of items relating to the history of food, farming and the countryside.
The museum covers the great social and technological changes in the countryside, especially the change from horse
power to the tractor. Garden. Tel. 0118 378 8660. Admission free.
Open TWThF 0900-1700, SSu 1000-1600.
www.reading.ac.uk/merl
Zoological specimens are arranged in taxonomic sequence and show the diversity of the animal kingdom.
Highlights include complete skeletons of an elephant, whale, python and giant spider crab.
Tel. 0118 378 7083. Admission free.
Open M-F 0930-1630.
www.reading.ac.uk/colemuseum
Bus 21/21A from Rail Station to University, Whiteknights House, 12 minutes journey.
M-S every 15 minutes (extra buses M-F during University terms), Sun every 20 minutes.
Operated by Reading Buses.
The Museum is 1½ miles from Earley.
One of the largest collections of Greek ceramics in Britain, plus some Egyptian antiquities.
Tel. 0118 378 6990. Admission free.
Open TWTh (M-F during University terms) 0900-1630.
www.reading.ac.uk/ure
Bus see Cole Museum.
The Museum is 1½ miles from Earley.
The museum is on the site of Woodley Airfield, once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry.
Miles and Handley Page aircraft built at Woodley are being reconstructed and exhibited alongside other records.
Tel. 0118 944 8089.
Open Apr-Oct, WSSu & BH 1030-1700. Nov-Mar, WSu 1200-1600.
www.museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk
Bus 19A/19C from Rail Station to Miles Way or opposite Herald Way (both immediately after
the roundabout), 35 minutes journey. M-S only, both routes hourly. The buses operate a loop in both directions, check the route map
and timetable to ensure you wait at the correct stop to return to Reading station.
Operated by Reading Buses.
The Museum is 2 miles from Winnersh.
