Reading MuseumsClick on a photo for a large version. |
Reading has some good museums, but do check opening times. They may not be open on Monday, or Sunday, or other days... On the other hand, they're all free!
There's also a museum at the hospital, which is hardly ever opem, and an aviation museum outside Reading. We didn't get to those.
This is the main museum in Reading, and is housed in the town hall.
It covers The Story of Reading (its history), the British Bayeux tapestry (a faithful Victorian copy of the original), natural history, art, Roman stuff from Silchester, and Biscuits. Click on map for larger version.
In the late 19th century, an extremely ambitious project was undertaken by a group of Victorian embroiderers from Leek to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry in full, painstakingly reproducing every single detail, stitch-by-stitch, so that the Tapestry's timeless story could be enjoyed by the people of Britain. It ended up in Reading.
Roman:
Natural history:
The Biscuit gallery:
This is the other town museum. It's on the north bank of the River Kennet, just beyond Biscuit Island. It's the old pumping station (quite common for these to turn into museums!) and is small, but great fun. You get to it by walking behind a building which was a pub, and will probably be again, but not while we were there.
There are two parts. The first is in a room with a gypsey caravan, and a miscellaneous (and interesting) collection of things to do with the river - small, but worth reading about all the exhibits. My favourite was an ancient Greek dish dredged from the river in the 19C. No-one knows how it got there!
The other part is the pumping station itself. There was an artist in residence while we were there. There are also lovely views out of the window, because the building is built out over the river.
This is on the corner of Redlands Road (off London Road) and Acacia Road. It is definitely south of the River Kennet, and part of Reading University (London Road campus).
Click on map for a larger version.
There is a collection of wagons.
I am interested in bobbin lace!
The Ladybird gallery (with Ladybird books).
The displays downstairs are interesting (although I only seem to have taken photos of lace!) But upstairs, the archives were open.
This tapestry was made for the Festival of Britain, in 1951.
There were some rooms off the reception areas with these windows.
This is in the centre of the Whitenights campus, and quite difficult to find (see maps, below). It is right in the centre of a building, and wasn't particularly sign-posted. So please note - it is in the Edith Morley Building (which may be on the map).
Once found it is a pleasant, small museum, covering more than just Greek archaeology. I must admit I took the photo below because I thought it looked as if the Greek gentleman was using a laptop!
This was fairly obvious to find, towards the south of the campus and quite close to Harris Garden. It is in the Health and Life Sciences Building.
A small museum but interesting exhibits. The cafe was closed (out of term). The Kiwi bird must have a certain amount of problem laying eggs. And I thought that the carp's head looked like a dragon. The notice reflects the fact that the museum is in a fairly openplan area, with offices on the balcony. Not very sensible...
A botanical garden with several areas and only one entrance (see below, note north is at the bottom!). It's at the southern end of Whiteknights campus, and is actually sign-posted.
© Jo Edkins 2024