Brock Keep

Brock Keep, completed in 1877, is a fine example of the Victorian keeps, built to aid recruitment and to increase local pride. They provided a ceremonial gatehouse, guardroom, fire engine house, and secure storage for arms, ammunition and soldiers' kit. They were designed by distinguished architect Major H C Seddon of the Royal Engineers.

Reading’s Keep is one of the surviving few that have not been demolished or converted. It is grade II listed and is particularly special because of its setting next door to the Lutyens War Memorial and its original Army Depot that is still occupied by the 7th Battalion the Rifles. Its original features are well preserved.

The Keep is now owned by Reading Borough Council and since 1980, it has been used for artists' studios and exhibition space for many artists, run by the independent organisation OpenHand OpenSpace. In the early 1980s, the ground floor was also used as a shelter for homeless people.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

1100-1700

Sunday 15 September:

1100-1700

Location & directions

Brock Keep, 571 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 1HL

Directions:

The Keep can be reached using the 15, 16 and 17 buses. Alight at Brock Gardens. There is free car parking if you take the 1st left off Brock Gardens and drive through the gates and the end of the car park.

Contact on day:

Sam Stead

Telephone number:

+447988331242

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Access for wheelchairs and pushchairs to ground floor exhibition gallery and WC only. No lift to studios on upper floors.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

8

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

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