Blagrave Street Blagrave Street marked the western edge of the Abbey precinct until the 16th century. Reading Town Hall now stands here on the site of the medieval Hospitium.
Nave The large grey stone memorial cross to King Henry I in the Forbury Gardens shows roughly where the west end of the abbey church once stood. Through the wide wooden
High Altar The high altar was the most sacred part of the church. It was within the choir which is where the monks stood to sing and speak during church services. Because
Abbey Stables Reading Central Library now stands on what was the Abbey Stables. It was far enough away from the rest of the abbey so that the noise and smells did not disturb the monks. It was a large building that could house at least thirty horses. Some of the foundations still lie beneath the library.
Butter Market This has always been the heart of Reading’s shopping district. Until the 1860s it was densely packed with rows of half-timbered houses.
Hospitium The building beside St Laurence's churchyard was once the dormitory of Reading Abbey’s Hospitium (guesthouse).
Reading Gaol Reading Gaol is a well-known part of the town, but not everyone realises that it was built over the abbey site. The first prison here was built in 1785 over
Reading Minster Reading Minster is also known as St Mary's church. In the 1550s it was repaired and improved using stones, lead, tiles and timber from Reading Abbey.
Arctic Mirage: Words and Music In Spring of 2024, Reading Museum welcomed Arctic Mirage, a display of artwork by Reading-based artist Julian Grater inspired by his trips to the Arctic Circle. Encounters with people, animals
