Town Hall
Reading Town Hall enjoys a long and illustrious history. It consists of four buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1786 the oldest building - the Victoria Hall - opened as a purpose built town hall designed by Charles Poulton.
A new council chamber and a clock tower designed by Alfred Waterhouse opened in 1876 followed by the Museum, Library and a Concert Hall, designed by the architect Thomas Lanson.Art Gallery and Library Reading room were added and then in 1975 new civic offices were built to serve Reading Borough and the Town Hall ceased its administration function.
Reading Town Hall survived the threat of demolition in the 1970s and was comprehensively refurbished in the late 1980s. It has undergone further changes to meet modern requirements and now hosts a leading conference and banqueting venue, The Concert Hall, Reading Museum and the Berkshire Coroner's Office.
The Concert Hall
Centrally located within The Town Hall complex, The Concert Hall is one of the finest of its type in Britain.
Originally built in 1882 and refurbished in 2000, it also houses the restored Father Willis Organ, boasting superb acoustics.
The Concert Hall hosts a varied programme of classical music, organ recitals, blues, jazz, folk, acoustic pop & rock, stand-up comedy, and lectures to suite all tastes.
View the Reading Arts Autumn 2024 What's On Brochure HERE
Explore
The Soane Space
Suitable for Meetings. Maximum capacities:
Theatre 40
Cabaret 25
Boardroom 24
This versatile and airy room on the ground floor of the Town Hall has lots of personality. With its glass doors, alcoves and access from Town Hall square this space is ideal for market research and small conferences.
