Abbey Quarter Walking Tours
Explore the fascinating history of Reading Abbey Quarter while enjoying a relaxed walk of this beautiful part of town.
Date and time
Location
Reading Museum
Blagrave Street Reading RG1 1QH United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
Key facts
- Part of Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
- Easy / 1 km /1 hour and 30 minutes
- Start - Reading Town Hall Finish – Abbey Gateway
- Wheelchair accessible - The tour is accessible to most wheelchair users but some areas of the Abbey Ruins could be challenging: please contact us in advance to discuss any concerns you may have.
- Not family friendly
- Toilets are available in The Museum and Town Hall building
- This walk is repeated at 14:00 on 17 May
About the walk
Enjoy a relaxed walking tour exploring the heart of medieval Reading led by our experienced volunteer guides. This tour takes you to the highlights of the Abbey Quarter, starting from Reading Town Hall. We will look at St Laurence and the Hospitium where medieval pilgrims stayed, the beautiful Forbury Gardens, the impressive, conserved Reading Abbey ruins and the Abbey Gateway, the grand entrance to the Abbot’s lodgings which became Queen Elizabeth I’s royal residence.
About the walk leader
The tours will be led by Reading Museum’s experienced Volunteer Tour Guides. This group of knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers bring a wealth of lifelong love for this town and at least four years of training and experience leading Reading Museum’s official public tours.
Getting there
We are only a two minute walk from Reading train station and main bus stops. We recommend using public transport or park and ride to reach central Reading. For local bus services including park and ride go to the Reading Buses website.
Meet location: https://what3words.com/leaned.drove.allow
Frequently asked questions
Sorry! Dogs are not permitted to join any of our walk unless a guide dog or assistance dog
Some of the walks are suitable for younger children. Please see each walk description. All children MUST be accompanied by a paying adult.
All our walk leaders have assessed their walk for accessibility, by which we mean the walk features smooth(ish!) pathways with ramps (if steps) and wide entrances for individuals with mobility challenges. Accessible walks will be identified in the walk description. Get in touch if in doubt.
We live in a country with changeable weather. There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes! The walks will take place in all but the worst weather. You will be notified by the walks leader if it is to be cancelled. If you aren’t able to attend, please alert the walks leader so your
We are unable to provide refunds if you can no longer attend. In the very unlikely situation that the Festival has to cancel the walk, you will be offered a full refund.
Your walk leader will have a list of everyone who has booked a ticket so you don’t need to bring a print out of your ticket. However, if you haven't booked in advance, your walk leader will not be able to accept you on the walk.
Please dress for the UK in May! It could be lovely, hot or rainy! Many of the walks are in urban areas so no special walking kit is required. Please do bring water though and a coat! For longer/countryside walks, please ensure you have suitable footwear/walking boots, rain protection etc.
Our walks are designed to link into the bus and train system so please try and use public transport. Details of how to reach the start/end point of the walk by public transport is given in each walk description. If parking is available, it will be included in the walk description.
Please do not come if you are feeling unwell. If you have any medical conditions, please either alert the walk leader and advise them of any medication you are carrying. Your health remains your responsibility at all times.
Once you have booked a walk, you will get an automatic confirmation of your place. Nearer the time, the walks leader will then contact you with his/her contact details and any special instructions for the day. The Festival organiser, REDA, can be reached at alex.brannen@reading.gov.uk