Diary of Events

  Make & Take: Victorian Peg Dolls

Families, 10.00am – 12.00pm & 1.00pm – 3.00pm
FREE, drop in*

NB – all children must be accompanied by an adult for the Make and Take activities. They last around half an hour and there’s no need to book, just turn up.*

  Lunchtime Talk: Autumn – A Time for Movement

Autumn is a time when many birds are on the move. Ray Reedman of the Berkshire Ornithological Club explains why, and reveals some patterns of migration in this illustrated talk.

Adults and older children, 1.00pm - 1.40pm
Free, drop in

  Heritage Open Days: Guided tour of the Abbey Ruins

Your chance to join the curators on a guided tour of Reading's most significant historic monument and find out about the history of the site and future conservation plans.

Adults, 1pm - 2pm, meet at museum 12.50pm

Booking is essential - please call 0118 937 3221

Other tours are available on 9th, 11th and 12th, these will be lead by non-museum staff.

  Heritage Open Days: Town Hall Tours

Join Museum staff for a tour of the Victorian Town Hall, including the Concert Hall, the Waterhouse Chamber and newly installed Museum displays.

All ages, regular tours 10.00am – 12.00pm
FREE, no need to book, just turn up*

  Heritage Open Days: Behind the Scenes Tour

See how the Museum stores and records its collections on site, including art works and insects. A chance to see 19th century ledgers and the illustrated diary of the first curator.
All ages, regular tours 1.00pm – 3.00pm

FREE, no need to book, just turn up* (Some areas have limited access, please contact us for further information)

  Crime themed Victorian Schoolroom

Join us for our monthly classroom session but with a crime themed twist. Find out about Victorian child thieves and how to 'pick a pocket' or two! Part of the Reading Festival of Crime Writing.

Ages 5+, Families, at 1.45 & 2.45
£1, drop in, 35 places per session max.

  Crime Themed Pied Piper

Join a lively crime-themed walk starting from Las Iguanas restaurant in The Oracle. Discover Reading’s past and find out more about some of the town’s more notorious and disreputable characters.

Adults and older children, 2.00pm – 2.45pm
FREE, 25 places max., booking essential (0118 939 9800)

  Art Workshop: Crustaceans

This crunchy group, which includes lobsters, crabs, shrimps, barnacles and woodlice, is at least 500 million years old. Come and investigate these resourceful invertebrates, with their hard carapaces and toolkit of modified legs.

Adults/16+, 1.00pm - 3.30pm
£10, for further information and to book email info@imjensen.co.uk or phone 0118 942 6781

  Lunchtime Walk: Riverside Walk

Meet at Caversham Lock.

Adults, 1.00pm – 1.45pm
Free, drop in*