Abbot Cook's Last Journey
Reading Walks Festival 2024
On 13 November 1539, Abbot Hugh Cook Faringdon and two monks of Reading Abbey were tried and arraigned of High Treason in Reading. Before their execution in the Abbey precinct, they were required to be dragged round the town of Reading.
The walk traces the route from Reading town centre, south to Whitley Street and back to the Abbey Gateway in the Abbey Precinct. In doing this it traces the boundaries of the sixteenth century town of Reading and the roads that existed then and now, and offers an understanding of what Tudor Reading may have looked like.
The route taken was suggested by A Wykes in 'Reading: A Biography', published in 1970 and commented on by C Darbyshire in 'Hugh Cook Faringdon: Last Abbot of Reading' in 2018.
Key facts
- Part of Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
- Easy / 4 km / 1.5 hours
- Start - Town Hall Square. Finish Abbey Gateway
- Good footwear
- Opportunity for pre-walk tea/coffee in The Pantry, Town Hall Square, from 10.00am
- Reading Council public toilets at Whitley Street, half way point of walk.
- Not family friendly
- Not wheelchair accessible
About the walk leader
The walk is led by John Painter, Secretary of the Friends of Reading Abbey (FORA). FOR A was set up in the 1980s to promote awareness of the history and architecture of the Abbey and the conservation of its Ruins. On behalf of FORA I offer group walks around the Abbey Ruins and wider Abbey Quarter.
Getting there
Town Hall Square / Abbey Gateway are in centre of Reading, about 5 minutes’ walk from railway station. All bus routes have stops nearby.
Meet point: Town Hall Square https://what3words.com/sounds.bared.shield
