Heritage Open Days - Abbey Quarter Tour

Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th September, 11:00-12:30

On Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th September join one of our popular Abbey Quarter Tours for free as part of Heritage Open Days 2026! Discover the rich history, hidden stories, and architectural beauty of this iconic area in a guided experience that brings the past to life.

Starting in the Story of Reading Gallery in Reading Museum and continuing outdoors, this tour will lead you on a discovery of the history and heritage of Reading's Abbey Quarter including the Hospitium where medieval pilgrims stayed and the impressive Reading Abbey Ruins.

The tour will also look at the links of Reading with jane Austen and we will give you exclusive access to the Abbey Gateway, the building that was once part of the school where Jane Austen studied and lived as a girl.

Please note that the Gateway is an historic listed building and has no step free access and there are uneven steps and floors. The schoolroom is accessed by two flights of steep steps (22 steps in total).

The 90-minute tour includes a substantial amount of walking and standing.