Regular opening hours
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
We are open on a Monday in February and October half terms.
Admission is free, but we suggest donation of £5 per visitor.
When is the museum closed?
The Museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays (including Good Friday and Easter Monday, and Christmas and New Year).
Due to essential maintenance work in 2025-2026 we will have short periods of disruption and occasional closures, for the latest updates please check the essential building maintenance page.
Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026
We are closed between Thursday 25th December 2025 and Thursday 1st January 2026, and open on Friday 2nd January and Saturday 3rd January 2026 as our normal hours above.
6th to 17th January 2026 closure for essential maintenance
Reading Museum and The Pantry café will be closed from Tuesday 6th January to Saturday 17th January 2026 for essential electrical maintenance.
The Museum and café will reopen as normal from Tuesday 20th January 2026.
Planning your visit
Many school groups use our galleries in term-time weekdays between 10 am and 2.15 pm. If you wish to see a particularly gallery, it may be advisable to visit outside these times or contact us in advance. The galleries are generally quieter after 2.30 pm.
We ask groups of 10 or more people to book in advance
View more information about how to get here, our galleries, shop, schools, group visits and access.
Riverside Museum opening hours
April to September: open daily 10am - 6pm
October to March: closed
Admission is free.
Abbey Ruins opening hours
Daily: dawn to dusk
Closed: for occasional ticketed events and private hire
Admission is free.
