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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Chelsea Old Church and Statue of Sir Thomas More

Chelsea

in the county of Greater London

St Abbs, on the eastern Scottish Borders, Scotland

St Abbs

in the county of Borders

Pictures of Reading

in the county of Berkshire

About Reading

This town lies on the extremities of the Berkshire Downs and the Chiltern Hills at a point where the waters of the rivers Thames and Kennet meet making the River Thames a major river for the rest of its journey to the sea. It grew to importance during the Norman period, and in 1121 Henry I founded a Benedictine Abbey here, it is where he was buried in 1136. The town has many historic Royal connections, Thomas a' Becket consecrated a church here in the presence of Henry II, and later following the Dissolution Henry VIII granted the town its first Royal charter in 1542.

Reading flourished as a cloth making town, but this declined early in the 17th century when the Civil War left its mark. It was the opening of the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1810 and the eventual arrival of the railways in 1840 that were to turn the tide for Reading and it is upon these events that its fortunes where founded.

Today Reading is noted for its university and for its vast industries. Both its rivers are navigable, often gay with bright narrow boats coursing waters formerly the scene of barges laden with coal and other goods being transported from city to city. The tow paths of both the Kennet and Thames offer visitors the chance to discover lush river meadows made bright by the chatter of wildlife in both trees and water, and often you may come across unusual reeds and water-plants. From Reading during the summer you can take an enchanted boat journey to Mappledurham House or Henley-on-Thames, this is well worth the time for the amazing river scenery.

The town contains exceptional museums and art galleries, particularly notable are the abbey ruins burial place of Henry I. You should also see Reading Goal made famous by Oscar Wilde's Ballad of Reading Goal. In the Reading Museum and Art Gallery you can see a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry and then there is the Waterways Museum, this is sited at Blakes Lock close to the mouth of the Kennet and Avon Canal, this has numerous exhibits and is of interest to all ages.

Reading offers multi-cultural restaurants, excellent hotels, good entertainment and leisure facilities, plenty of shops, pubs and inns. Urban it might be but for those who look beyond that which rises towards the sky, there are many pleasant surprises.

Recommended towns & villages near Reading

THE RIVER AT SONNING

Sonning on Thames (14 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Berkshire

(3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction NE of Reading)

"the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river". - Jerome K. Jerome..

Henley near the lock

Henley on Thames (158 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Oxfordshire

(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction NE of Reading)

Henley held the very first regatta in 1839 and in the year 1851 Prince Albert became Patron of the Regatta, thus giving the event the pretigious title of Royal Henley Regatta...

Cottage in Nettlebed, seen in 'Midsomer Murders' detective series

Nettlebed (8 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Oxfordshire

(8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction N of Reading)

Nettlebed is a lovely English village in the heart of rural Oxfordshire...

The Church of St Mary's at Turville

Turville (45 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Buckinghamshire

(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction N of Reading)

This village is noted for its numerous appearances in memorable televisions shows such as The Vicar of Dibley and Midsomer Murders. Turville is the quintessential English.....

St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme, Oxfordshire

Ewelme (52 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Oxfordshire

(11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction N of Reading)

Ewelme is a quiet place particularly noted for its historic parish church...

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Nearby attractions..

The Lodge at Greys Court

Greys Court (70 Pictures)

(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction N)

Intriguing Tudor Manor with 14th-century fortifications, and Ornamental gardens set within medieval walls. Things to see include.....

A picture of The Chantry House

The Chantry House (1 Pictures)

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NE)

This is a magnificent 14th-century Grade I listed church hall. Its timber-framing is typical of the late medieval period, and.....

Wellington Country Park, Hampshire

Wellington Country Park (1 Pictures)

(6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction S)

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Side view of the main building at Fawley Court, Henley on Thames

Fawley Court (5 Pictures)

(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)

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A picture of Nuffield Place

Nuffield Place (2 Pictures)

(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction N)

Nuffield Place is the former home (1933-63) of Lord Nuffield who was the founder of Morris Motors. The house is a rare survival.....

The Summer house

The Vyne (17 Pictures)

(11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SW)

This house stands on a spot where once there may have been a Roman inn or villa. The name means "house of wine" which is a very.....

Dorney Court, near Windsor, Buckinghamshire.

Dorney Court (1 Pictures)

(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction E)

Dorney Court is unusual in that it has passed by direct descent, father to son, through 13 generations of the Palmer family in.....


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