Something about Reading
Sightseeing
The Forbury Gardens, near the centre of town, have been restored to their original Victorian splendour. The adjoining Abbey Ruins, which reopened to the public in June 2018, are the remains of a once powerful abbey, sacked by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. They have long been held to be the burial place of King Henry of England. The Heritage Lottery Fund funding for the Reading Abbey Revealed project also included the Abbey Gateway, which was the former school room attended by Jane Austen.
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Reading Winter On Ice
George StreetThe Forbury Gardens, near the centre of town, have been restored to their original Victorian splendour. The adjoining Abbey Ruins, which reopened to the public in June 2018, are the remains of a once powerful abbey, sacked by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. They have long been held to be the burial place of King Henry of England. The Heritage Lottery Fund funding for the Reading Abbey Revealed project also included the Abbey Gateway, which was the former school room attended by Jane Austen.
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.
Abbey Ward of Reading Borough Council takes its name from Reading Abbey, which lies within its boundaries.
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Ruínas da Abadia de Reading
Abbot's WalkReading 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.
Abbey Ward of Reading Borough Council takes its name from Reading Abbey, which lies within its boundaries.
Reading Minster, or the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, is the oldest ecclesiastical foundation in the English town of Reading. Although eclipsed in importance by the later Reading Abbey, Reading Minster regained its after since the destruction of the Abbey and is now an Anglican parish church. The minster gives its name to the street of St Mary's Butts, on which it stands.
The Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin should not be mistaken for the similarly named St Mary's Church, Castle Street, which is only a few yards away.
Reading Minster of St. Mary the Virgin
Saint Mary's ButtsReading Minster, or the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, is the oldest ecclesiastical foundation in the English town of Reading. Although eclipsed in importance by the later Reading Abbey, Reading Minster regained its after since the destruction of the Abbey and is now an Anglican parish church. The minster gives its name to the street of St Mary's Butts, on which it stands.
The Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin should not be mistaken for the similarly named St Mary's Church, Castle Street, which is only a few yards away.
Reading Museum is a museum of the history of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire, and the surrounding area. It is accommodated within Reading Town Hall, and contains galleries describing the history of Reading and its related industries, a gallery of artefacts discovered during the excavations of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester Roman Town), a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, finds relating to Reading Abbey and an art collection.
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Reading Museum
Blagrave StreetReading Museum is a museum of the history of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire, and the surrounding area. It is accommodated within Reading Town Hall, and contains galleries describing the history of Reading and its related industries, a gallery of artefacts discovered during the excavations of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester Roman Town), a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, finds relating to Reading Abbey and an art collection.
Food scene
L’Ortolan is a Michelin Starred fine dining restaurant with private dining rooms located in the picturesque village of Shinfield, Berkshire (UK) just outside Reading, housed within a beautiful Grade II listed vicarage. L’Ortolan holds a Michelin Star for the fifteenth consecutive year and is also awarded with 3 AA rosettes.
Head Chef Tom Clarke worked at a couple of other restaurants before he, at age 22, ended up at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir, where he worked for 2 years. In 2009, Tom had his first stint at L’Ortolan as a Chef de Partie and soon worked his way up to Sous Chef. He left L’Ortolan to move to France were he worked at the two Michelin starred Le Strato hotel in Courchevel and the legendary L’Oustau de Baumanière in the Provence. Returning to L’Ortolan in August 2012, Tom went from Chef to acting Head Chef, before he took over in the Michelin starred kitchen at L’Ortolan in January 2015 as Head Chef.
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Church LaneL’Ortolan is a Michelin Starred fine dining restaurant with private dining rooms located in the picturesque village of Shinfield, Berkshire (UK) just outside Reading, housed within a beautiful Grade II listed vicarage. L’Ortolan holds a Michelin Star for the fifteenth consecutive year and is also awarded with 3 AA rosettes.
Head Chef Tom Clarke worked at a couple of other restaurants before he, at age 22, ended up at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir, where he worked for 2 years. In 2009, Tom had his first stint at L’Ortolan as a Chef de Partie and soon worked his way up to Sous Chef. He left L’Ortolan to move to France were he worked at the two Michelin starred Le Strato hotel in Courchevel and the legendary L’Oustau de Baumanière in the Provence. Returning to L’Ortolan in August 2012, Tom went from Chef to acting Head Chef, before he took over in the Michelin starred kitchen at L’Ortolan in January 2015 as Head Chef.
London Street Brasserie is the second award-winning restaurant by owner and proprietor Paul Clerehugh. Opened in 2000 next to the river Kennet in the heart of Reading, the London Street Brasserie has won both critical acclaim and Michelin recognition and has also been voted restaurant of the year.
Lovingly called the LSB by regulars and locals, the restaurant has become a firm favourite in the area and a must visit for foodies.
Serving local produce to the highest standards this restaurant is definitely worth a visit.
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London StreetLondon Street Brasserie is the second award-winning restaurant by owner and proprietor Paul Clerehugh. Opened in 2000 next to the river Kennet in the heart of Reading, the London Street Brasserie has won both critical acclaim and Michelin recognition and has also been voted restaurant of the year.
Lovingly called the LSB by regulars and locals, the restaurant has become a firm favourite in the area and a must visit for foodies.
Serving local produce to the highest standards this restaurant is definitely worth a visit.
Bel & The Dragon Reading, a former biscuit factory, is located on the waterfront of the Kennet & Avon Canal and just a short distance from the centre of the town. The unique building has been lovingly refurbished to house a vibrant & atmospheric restaurant and bar as well as five new, beautiful en-suite bedrooms. The boardwalk and dining riverboat, The Majestic Bel, also provide an ideal waterside setting for alfresco & private dining.
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Bel & The Dragon Reading, a former biscuit factory, is located on the waterfront of the Kennet & Avon Canal and just a short distance from the centre of the town. The unique building has been lovingly refurbished to house a vibrant & atmospheric restaurant and bar as well as five new, beautiful en-suite bedrooms. The boardwalk and dining riverboat, The Majestic Bel, also provide an ideal waterside setting for alfresco & private dining.
Where to shop
The Oracle takes its name from the 17th century Oracle workhouse built by funds from a local man John Kendrick. This once occupied a small part of the site now occupied by the shopping centre. It is also a very popular place in Reading.
In 1997, the property developer Hammerson acquired a 22-acre site of largely derelict and undeveloped land immediately to the south of the town centre. Most of this site was previously occupied by Simond's Brewery (latterly owned by the Courage brewing company) and by the Reading Buses depot (formerly the Reading Corporation tram depot). The brewery had earlier relocated to a new site adjoining the M4 motorway, whilst the bus depot was relocated to a location just west of the town centre as one of the first phases of the redevelopment.
Hammerson's strategy was to create a combination of big-name retailers at the new centre, including a number of international retail banners fairly new to Britain. The merchandise mix has strong emphasis on fashion and is slightly higher-end than the average for Reading's main street shops. Peter Cole, the development director for Hammerson said "We were looking to bring in a retail mix that would enhance what was already there – we wanted to get the right caliber retailers to suit the slightly higher-end shopping demographic of the area.
Riverside level at night with the River Kennet flowing through
The main shopping malls comprising phase I of The Oracle were opened in September 1999, followed in November by the Riverside restaurants, pubs and cinema that made up phase II. Once phase I was complete, the way was open to relocate the Debenhams department store from its previous location on Broad Street into the centre. This in turn allowed for the redevelopment of the old Debenhams site as phase III of The Oracle, linked to phase I by a bridge over Minster Street. Phase III provided The Oracle with a direct link to Broad Street, and was opened in May 2000 by The Princess Royal.
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The Oracle
Bridge StreetThe Oracle takes its name from the 17th century Oracle workhouse built by funds from a local man John Kendrick. This once occupied a small part of the site now occupied by the shopping centre. It is also a very popular place in Reading.
In 1997, the property developer Hammerson acquired a 22-acre site of largely derelict and undeveloped land immediately to the south of the town centre. Most of this site was previously occupied by Simond's Brewery (latterly owned by the Courage brewing company) and by the Reading Buses depot (formerly the Reading Corporation tram depot). The brewery had earlier relocated to a new site adjoining the M4 motorway, whilst the bus depot was relocated to a location just west of the town centre as one of the first phases of the redevelopment.
Hammerson's strategy was to create a combination of big-name retailers at the new centre, including a number of international retail banners fairly new to Britain. The merchandise mix has strong emphasis on fashion and is slightly higher-end than the average for Reading's main street shops. Peter Cole, the development director for Hammerson said "We were looking to bring in a retail mix that would enhance what was already there – we wanted to get the right caliber retailers to suit the slightly higher-end shopping demographic of the area.
Riverside level at night with the River Kennet flowing through
The main shopping malls comprising phase I of The Oracle were opened in September 1999, followed in November by the Riverside restaurants, pubs and cinema that made up phase II. Once phase I was complete, the way was open to relocate the Debenhams department store from its previous location on Broad Street into the centre. This in turn allowed for the redevelopment of the old Debenhams site as phase III of The Oracle, linked to phase I by a bridge over Minster Street. Phase III provided The Oracle with a direct link to Broad Street, and was opened in May 2000 by The Princess Royal.
Broad Street Mall is a large indoor shopping centre located in central Reading, There is a large multi-storey car park with direct access to the first floor of the centre. It is close to The Hexagon theatre and the offices of Reading Borough Council.
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Broad StreetBroad Street Mall is a large indoor shopping centre located in central Reading, There is a large multi-storey car park with direct access to the first floor of the centre. It is close to The Hexagon theatre and the offices of Reading Borough Council.
Conselho para os viajantes
Transporte
London Paddington
25 mins by train to London Paddington from Reading station
Faster train to London Paddington usually run on platform 10
Transporte
Heathrow Airport
RailAir Bus to Heathrow, Stops just outside Reading train station
Transporte
Windsor Castle
Around 30 mins to drive.
Take A33 and change to M4 toward London direction exit at junction 6.
Transporte
Oxford
20 minutes by train from Reading Station
Transporte
Blenheim Palace
About 45 minutes drive take A33 change at M4 toward Swindon exit at junction 13 take A34 toward Oxford exit at Peartree Roundabout and take A44 about 5 miles Blenheim Palace will on the left.