FAQs Frequently asked questions

Reading Museum is in the centre of Reading, Berkshire (UK). The postal code is RG1 1QH. The entrance to the Museum is through the glass doors in the town hall building on Blagrave Street. Find out more on the How to get here page.

Reading Museum is open Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm and Saturday 10am - 5pm.  We are open on half-term Mondays in February and October only. See the opening times page for full details.

The Museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Bank holidays. We are also closed between Christmas Eve and 2nd January each year. Please check the opening times page for full details.

Reading Museum has ten galleries diaplaying a vast array of fabulous objects from art to archaeology, and a regular changing programme of exhibitions. 

There are regular activities each week for both adults and children, and during the school holidays there is always something interesting for children and families to do. Find out more on the Your Visit page and on the Whats On pages. 

Reading Museum is very proud to have on display Britain's Bayeux Tapestry which was made in the nineteenth century. Anyone can visit the gallery but do be aware that the gallery can be closed at times for tours and school sessions. We have an online calendar that you can see in order to plan your visit, see the Bayeux Gallery page to find more and book a tour.

Jane Austen went to school in Reading, and we offer regular summer-time tours of the Abbey Quarter including the historic Abbey Gateway building where her school was located.  Anyone can see the building from the outside, but to get inside you need to book onto one of our public tours on our website.

Reading Museum is accessible for all, there is step-free access with a lift and ramp access to all floors, and accessible toilets. We also have a web page dedicated to all kinds of access issues, including a downloadable visual story to assist you in your visit. 

Our friendly staff are available to help and advise you when you are here. 

We have a gift shop which is situated behind the reception desk on the ground floor. Browse gifts, books and souvenirs, and every purchase helps that museum. You can also shop online. 

There is a cafe on the ground floor of the Town Hall building, called The Pantry, which serves hot and cold drinks and food. 

Please don't bring food or drinks into the Museum.

We are delighted to accept monetary donations to support our work. You can make a donation at any of the donation point, either in cash or by card. You can also donate online. 

If you have something that you want us to look at please bring it in on a Thursday afternoon for Museum Surgery, between 12pm and 4pm and one of the team will have a look at it with you. Please note that no valuations can be given. If you wish to donate an object please get in touch with us before you come in as potential donations must be assessed prior to being accepted. 

Our photography policy sets out all the rules for taking photographs and is on our Collections Enquiries page.

Visitors are permitted to take photographs of themselves, family and friends and objects in our fabulous galleries. Photographs must be for personal use only, using hand-held cameras and phones. Additional equipment such as tripods, monopods, gimbals and lighting is not permitted anywhere in the Museum. If you are posting on social media tag us @readingmuseum

The exception to the general rule is the Art Gallery on the second floor, where photography is strictly prohibited. 

You are not permitted to take any film or moving images in any part of the Museum without prior permission. 

For commercial photography and image use please use our Image Enquiry form.

We offer a range of educational sessions for schools. Please go to our schools pages on our website for more details and get in touch with us when you have an idea of which session you would like to book. We also offer some sessions online, again the details are on our schools pages.