Reading
Properties and events in Reading
Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.
17 Castle Street Reading
Rooms which are not normally open to clients with interesting beam construction, Diamond chimneys, carriage mounting block and Victorian staircase.
A new garden at historic Hillside House, Allcroft Road.
The new garden at Hillside House was created in 2020-21. It was opened to the public for the first time during Heritage Open days 2023. This is an opportunity to see how it has changed. The house itself is not open.
About Your House - discover the families who lived in your house
Who lived in your house? Ask our experts how to find out who occupied the premises and when. See the changes caused by the creation of the Inner Distribution Road in Reading. Find out what Broad Street looked like in the past.
Basildon Park
From its origins connected to the East India Company, to an army base in WWII, and onto a glamourous home used to entertain in the 1950s, the history of Basildon Park is a rich and interesting one.
Brock Keep
Come for a tour around the historic former armoury and gatehouse which is now home to artist studios and contemporary art gallery.
Caversham Court Gardens
Take a journey round the world tracking the origins of plants in Caversham Court Gardens! Test your plant knowledge and your geography with our fun facts and learn the fascinating history of plant collecting. Activities for all ages.
Caversham Road: An area shaped by Victorian aesthetics and innovation
A guided walk around a Victorian townscape that still has many traces of its rich industrial past as well as plenty of original architectural features.
Grade II * Watlington House A hidden gem of a house and garden in the heart of Reading.
We invite you to join us at Reading's oldest domestic building. You will hear about its history from the Tudor Period to today , the garden restoration and have the opportunity to meet some of the tenants.
Greys Court
Greys Court, is an intimate family home and peaceful estate set in the rolling Chiltern Hills. It has been modified over the centuries, creating a patchwork of medieval, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and 20th century influences inside and out.
Katesgrove area 'Bricks, Iron, Sails, Education, Potts & a Meadow' Walkabout (Guided Walk)
NEW Katesgrove ‘Walkabout’ (Guided Walk) Bounded - North by IDR. East by London & Whitley Sts & South Waterloo Rise & to West by River Kennet. Covering its wonderful History, Culture, Heritage, Industry, People, Places, Victorian Brickwork & more!
Reading Abbey Gateway Tour
A special opportunity to visit the Abbey Gateway and learn about this listed building’s fascinating history and its role in the Abbey Quarter.
Reading Library - six degrees of separation, from the Zinzan family to Kevin Bacon
Based on the parlour game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, this film tries to do that from a local history perspective.
Reading Minster Heritage 2024
Reading Minster, or the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, is the oldest ecclesiastical foundation in the town of Reading, with a history dating back to the 10th century. Church and parish records will be on display during open times.
Reading Museum Store Tours
Join us behind the scenes at our store in Whitley. This year’s theme is Roman Silchester, looking at objects connecting the regional capital to the wider Roman empire.
Reading Old - A 'Garden Cemetery'
Guided walks around the site which will focus on the history of the Garden Cemetery movement, plus explore some of the nature and wildlife related to the original planting of the site by Sutton Seeds Ltd - one of Reading's famous.
Renewable Energy Exhibited
The Mills Archive Trust, an award-winning archive and charity situated in Watlington House, will be open on 6th September from 10am-4pm, and 7th September from 11am-2pm for an exhibition on the history and development of renewable energy.
Royal Berkshire Archives Tour
Discover more about what we do on a free behind the scenes tour of the Royal Berkshire Archives.
Saint Giles Church Reading
View one of the three medieval churches in Reading. Open 10 am - 4pm on Saturday 7th and Saturday 14th September
St Luke's Church Erleigh Road, Reading - Our Community
St Luke's Church (1882-83) is a Victorian church built to serve the growing population of the Redlands area of Reading. Today, the Church continues to engage with our local multicultural community.
St Mary's Episcopal Chapel, 14 Castle Street, Reading RG1 7RD
Self-guided tours of the chapel, display of pots and glassware found in a pit under the floor during renovations; search for your ancestor in the baptismal register (1884-present).
St Michael Tilehurst - A Celebration of Creativity
A celebration of creativity set in a beautiful and historic church, incorporating: An sale of local arts and crafts; Self-guided tours of the building and churchyard.
The MERL: Routes, Connections, Networks
Book into one of these special events for a unique chance to view pop-up displays of items from the University of Reading’s Special Collections and Art Collections, housed at The MERL site and not currently on public display.
Tour of Foxhill House at the Whiteknights campus
Foxhill House is a fine example of mid-Victorian architecture. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, it is situated on raised ground near the northern corner of the University's Whiteknights campus overlooking the meadows down to the lake.
Tour of the University of Reading's Great Hall on the London Road campus
For the first time, the University Great Hall is open to the public this year. It will give an opportunity to hear about its history, view the organ, enjoy the architecture and the internal decor, and to see behind the scenes backstage.
Victoria Park Area Walkabout Schools, Market, Swimming Pool, Murder, The Pits & Pubs!
An easy Guided Walk (Tour) covering a Reading area not well known. Bordered by the Railway to the North, North St., Chatham St., to the East & Oxford Rd to Reading West Bridge. I will cover how it has grown from 12th Century Abbey Lands to now.
Walk in the Light - Exhibition & Play by Reading Quakers, celebrating George Fox
Walk in the Light : celebrating the 400th anniversary of the birth of itinerant preacher and Quaker founder George Fox, via an exhibition of Quaker heritage and artwork, and a short play for all ages
Written in stone
Join us for a guided walk of Reading Old Cemetery. Find out about the history of site, some of the monuments and the life stories of people buried there. Dressing Up optional but fun!