Sightseeing in Reading - what to see. Complete travel guide

This is an ancient city, first mentions of which belong to the 8th century. At that time this was a small village, which was mostly developing due to the foundation of the Abbey. However, just several centuries after the foundation Reading was already one of ten largest cities of the country. In the 18th century large deposits of iron ore were discovered near the city. This fact has given rise to building of first industrial plants.

To our luck in this city have survived numerous old buildings, churches and cultural institutions. The oldest architectural places of interest of Reading are the Cathedral and Church of the Virgin Mary, which is located nearby. In the 7th century a small wooden chapel stood on the site of the church. Then a large-scale construction started here, but the architectural ensemble was completed only in the 11th century. Another important historical monument is the abbey, which was damaged severely in 1538. Nowadays visitors can see the survived parts of walls and gates, the main church and a mill during an excursion.

One more religious place of interest is located in the center of Reading. This is St. James Church, the building of which took place in 1840. Despite the fact that the church is considered relatively "young", it is no less popular among tourists comparing to old churches and temples. Continue your acquaintance with the history of the city by making an excursion to the old school opened yet in the 12th century. It is worth noting that the school works even today. This is not the only educational facility that may be interesting to visitors. In 1892 here was opened a university; nowadays this university is considered one of the most beautiful and prestigious in England. It is worth noting numerous museums of Reading. The most popular and frequently visited are Archaeological Museum and Museum of Zoology. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An old factory, built in the early 19th century is symbolic of the city. This factory produced famous Huntley and Palmers cookies. At the time of its foundation, it was one of the largest industrial enterprises in the city. Nowadays, you can see an old prison nearby. Oscar Wilde was serving his punishment there and thus brought it worldwide renown. It was within the walls of the prison that he wrote his letter to Lord Douglas.

Reading is often called a city of parks. There are over a hundred of them in a miniature town. Each park has its own characteristics. Leasure areas are supplemented with interesting attractions, children's playgrounds, and sports platforms. Many parks have long acquired the status of cultural centers. In summer they often hold open-air concerts and entertainment events.

In the center of the city is located an ancient Greyfriars church, built in the early 14th century. Initially, the church was part of a large monastery. Later, the monastery was destroyed, and the church was used for a variety of purposes. In the 16th century, it housed the town hall. After that the building was used as a hospital for the poor. A prison was opened in church, as well. Only in 1863, the church returned its religious status. Despite the complicated history, it managed to preserve a number of old interior elements. Nearby, is situated a cultural and entertainment center bearing the same name. It has a restaurant, several shops, and exhibition halls.

The building of Reading railway station is also of great historical value. From the moment of construction, it managed to preserve the luxurious front finishing. It is decorated with huge oblong windows and decorative elements. On the roof, you can see several carved towers. This railway station is considered to be one of the largest and busiest in the UK. It serves about 4 million passengers every year. Lovers of event tourism are most likely to visit Reading in the summer. At this time of the year, they hold many excellent festivals. In the first days of July, carnival is organized in the picturesque Prospekt-Park. It is followed by a series of music festivals. In August, the Water Festival is traditionally held. The program ends with the August rock festival, which is the largest in Europe