Tour of the University of Reading's Great Hall on the London Road campus

After success last year, the University Great Hall is open to the public, giving an opportunity to hear about its history, view the organ, enjoy the architecture and the internal decor and see behind the scenes backstage. Please book by 7 September.

The Grade 2 listed Great Hall is located on the University of Reading's London Road campus. It was designed by William Ravenscroft and Charles Steward Smith in 1905 and opened for use in 1906. It was built for use as an assembly hall for the University College, as it was then known, which was being moved from Valpy Street in the town centre to this new location, and was intended to be available to the College while other buildings were being erected. The fine Binns organ was installed in 1910. The Charter for becoming the University of Reading was granted in 1926, the only University to gain a charter between the world wars. The impressive hall is used for degree congregations, concerts, examinations, lectures and receptions.



The guided tour by members of The Friends of the University of Reading will start with a brief history of the campus and the hall. There will be a tour of the apse, which houses the organ and the backstage facilities, including the green room and the dressing rooms that have been enjoyed by local and national orchestras and choirs as well as diverse groups ranging from a gala concert of Indian music to Pink Floyd! There will also be a tour of the impressive building both internally and externally including the gold-leaf decorated ceiling and also a look at the layout and use of the hall today.

Tours start at 11:00 and 12:30