Reading Heritage Open Days

Friday, 12 September 2008 19:00

From today until Sunday Reading is remembering its heritage. Many of the historically inportant buildings are open to the public and walks, tours and organ recitals are part of the Programme.

We did our own bit of a heritage tour this afternoon: starting here, at what we now know is called "Abbey Backwater", alongside Chestnut Walk (Oscar Wilde Memorial - the railings, gates and seating between the walk and the towpath).

We walked into the Reading Abbey ruins, much of which is fenced off for some reason - hopefully restoration not just "Elfin Safety". The contrast between the old and newest building the Blade is rather striking.

We then wandered into the small garden near the ruins. It is well kept and rather pretty.


Nearby is St James Catholic church, an early work by Augustus Pugin in a Gothic style. It is beautiful inside, quite simple but full of history. St James' hand was a revered Holy Relic held in the Abbey here. Pugin's most well known architectural marvel is the Houses of Parliament.

We were on our way to the Museum of Reading and walked across Abbots walk and by Forbury Gardens  into Town Hall Square. The Museum shares the Town Hall building (saved from demolition in mid 1970s , thank goodness) and is very well laid out.

We only had three quarters of an hour before it closed so did a quick dash through. Although we did spend some time going around the copy of Bayeux Tapestry. I saw the original in Hastings in 1966 when it was on exhibition there to commemorate the 900th anniversary of 1066. It made quite an impression on me then and the copy, made in Staffordshire is also worth seeing.


It shows how big the Abbey was, but also the River Kennet in Medieval times. We are moored at the right end of the Abbey (about where the tree is) where the Church, Chapter House and Necessarium was! Fortunately we have a Necessarium on board Epiphany!

There is still more to see, so weather permitting we will continue tomorrow. There is hope we may be able to get on the Thames on Sunday!

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