Reading Museum opening hours
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
We are open on a Monday in February (16th February 2026) 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.
Quieter times
Many school groups use our galleries in term-time weekdays between 10am and 2.15pm, and we may have to close specific galleries to our other visitors - see below.
The galleries are generally quieter after 2.30pm.
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.
Gallery closures
We occasionally have to close a particular gallery for maintenance or a booked school group and guided tours, especially the Bayeux Tapestry (see below), Huntley & Palmers Gallery, Roman Silchester Gallery and Window Gallery. If you wish to see a particularly gallery it is advisable contact us in advance to check opening times.
Any planned service disruption or access issues can be found on the service disruption and closures page.
Bayeux Tapestry Gallery Access
The Bayeux Tapestry gallery is usually open every day during our opening hours. However, the Year of the Normans in 2026-2027 means this will be a popular gallery for guided tours and schools.
You can open this Calendar to see all times when the Bayeux Gallery will be closed to the general public in the next few months.
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.
