Tour of East Thorpe, former home of the Palmer family

As part of our Biscuit Town programme, a chance to see East Thorpe, former home of the Palmer family, which now houses The Museum of English Rural Life and University of Reading's Special Collections, including the Huntley & Palmers company archive.

2022 marks 200 years since Joseph Huntley opened his first baker’s shop at 72 London Street, Reading. This moment marked the beginning of an innovative business that would become world-famous, revolutionising biscuit-making across the globe and transforming Reading forever: Huntley & Palmers.

For Heritage Open Days this year, The Museum of English Rural Life and Reading Museum are drawing on our Huntley & Palmers collections to offer a joint programme of events and activities celebrating 200 years of Reading’s biscuit heritage, as part of Museums Partnership Reading, and funded by Arts Council England.

East Thorpe was Sir Alfred Palmer’s family home. Built by Alfred Waterhouse in 1882, the property now houses The Museum of English Rural Life and the University of Reading’s Special Collections, which includes the Huntley & Palmers company archive. Join us for this special one-off opportunity to see the house and view a pop-up presentation of archive material that is not usually on display.

You will also have the opportunity to visit our current exhibition 'Biscuit Town: 200 years of Huntley & Palmers in Reading' in the beautiful staircase hall and museum galleries.