Reading Abbey
Ruined Cluniac abbey in Reading, Berkshire, England
About
Reading Abbey is a large, ruined abbey in the centre of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. It was founded by Henry I in 1121 "for the salvation of my soul, and the souls of King William, my father, and of King William, my brother, and Queen Maud, my wife, and all my ancestors and successors." In its heyday the abbey was one of Europe's largest royal monasteries. The traditions of the Abbey are continued today by the neighbouring St James's Church, which is partly built using stones of the Abbey ruins.
Reading Abbey was the focus of a major £3 million project called "Reading Abbey Revealed" which conserved the ruins and Abbey Gateway and resulted in them being re-opened to the public on 16 June 2018. Alongside the conservation, new interpretation of the Reading Abbey Quarter was installed, including a new gallery at Reading Museum, and an extensive activity programme.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Reading, Berkshire
Town and borough in Berkshire, England
0.4 mi away
Caversham, Reading
Village and suburb in Berkshire, England
0.8 mi away
Forbury Gardens
Park in Reading, England
0.1 mi away
Siege of Reading
Eleven-day blockade of Reading, Berkshire 1643
330 ft away
Royal Meteorological Society
Learned society and open-access publisher
0.7 mi away
Museum of English Rural Life
Agricultural museum in Reading, England
0.6 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
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