Reading Museum with a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, Berkshire Open Tuesday to Saturday. Admission Free

Details

Accessibility:

See https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/access There are parking bays for blue badge holders in the town centre, including two on Blagrave Street directly outside the building.  Find out more about blue badge parking in Reading at https://bluebadgeparking.com/view/51.443473%2C-1.014908%2C51.467086%2C-.93251/sat  and http://www.reading.gov.uk/bluebadge

https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/information-for-autistic-and-neurodivergent-people 

There is a gentle slope down to the reception. The Museum entrance is then accessed via a short flight of stairs or by a ramp (with handrails). A lift on the ground floor takes you up to first and second floors.

 The galleries are accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility

issues.

 The lift is located on your right as you enter the ground floor of the Museum.

The lift takes visitors up to the first and second floors. There is also the main

staircase which has handrails on both sides.

 There is seating throughout the Museum. Portable wooden stools are also

available; please ask Museum staff if you wish to use these.

 There is a disability toilet

See https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/welcome-back/museum-floor-plans

Brief description:

https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/collections

2026: "Our collections tell the story of Reading and its place in the world.

We started out in 1883 with a bequest from local collector Horatio Bland. He left the town his private museum of fascinating objects, from Ancient Greek pots to a duck-billed platypus!

Today, Reading Museum holds almost 500,000 accessioned objects, crossing archaeology, art, natural history, social history, and world cultures."

+ https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/bayeux-tapestry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Museum

2026: "Reading Museum (run by the Reading Museum Service) is a museum of the history of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire, and the surrounding area. It is accommodated within Reading Town Hall, and contains galleries describing the history of Reading and its related industries, a gallery of artefacts discovered during the excavations of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester Roman Town), a copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, finds relating to Reading Abbey and an art collection.[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Museum#The_Bayeux_Gallery

Reading Museum's Bayeux Tapestry Gallery exhibits an accurate replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, made by 35 women of the Leek Embroidery Society in 1885. The tapestry is the only known full size woven copy of the original tapestry in existence.

The tapestry is 70 metres long and depicts the events of the Norman Conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy in 1066. This includes the preamble to conflict, followed by the preparations for war and decisive Norman victory in the Battle of Hastings. Information boards around the exhibit offer a translation of the original Medieval Latin, while providing the visitor with a historical description of the conquest. The final section of the Tapestry, which included William's coronation at Westminster Abbey, was lost before the copy was made. The events have a local significance to Reading, for King William's youngest son Henry I founded Reading Abbey in 1121 and was later buried there in 1136.

The exhibit is complemented by information on the history of Saxon migration and Viking raids in the local area.[5]"

Address:

Reading Museum

Blagrave Street

Reading

RG1 1QH

Email:

For general visitor enquiries use our General enquiry form.

Phone:

0118 937 3400

For general and visiting information, and group booking call 0118 937 3400

For event ticket bookings call (Reading Arts Box Office) 0118 960 6060

Website:

https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/

Directions:

From the M4 Junction 10 follow the A329M towards the A4 and town centre. From M4 Junction 11 follow the A33 towards the town centre and from M4 Junction 12 follow the A4 to the town centre 

Ordnance Survey Number: SU716736

+ 2026: "Reading Museum is in the centre of Reading at the Town Hall. The main entrance is on Blagrave Street. We recommend using public transport or park and ride to reach central Reading. 

The what3words location reference for our main entrance is: ///racing.festivity.pink

Public transport

We are only a two minute walk from Reading train station (served by mainline and Elizabeth Line services) and all main bus stops. For local bus services including park and ride go to the Reading Buses website.

Car

If you are coming by car we recommend that you use park and ride to reach the centre of Reading.

If you do drive into central Reading from the M4 Junction 10 follow the A329M towards the A4 and town centre. From M4 Junction 11 follow the A33 towards the town centre and from M4 Junction 12 follow the A4 to the town centre. The museum postcode is RG1 1QH. The Museum does not have its own car park but there are three Blue Badge parking spaces at the front of the building and nearby public car parks include Reading Station and Queen’s Road.

Coach

There is a coach set-down point on Valpy Street, opposite the Museum. Please note it is then necessary to cross Valpy Street to access the Museum entrance at the front of the building.

View Location Map "

Opening Times:

https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/opening-times

2026: "Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 4pm, Saturday: 10am to 5pm

We are only open on a Monday in February and October half terms.

Please note: the Bayeux Tapestry Gallery may not be open to the public at all times. Please see below before you plan your visit.

Admission is free, but we suggest donation of £5 per visitor.

When is the museum closed?

The Museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays (including Good Friday and Easter Monday), and between Christmas and New Year.

Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027

The Museum is open on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December 2026. 

We are then closed from Friday 25th December 2026 until Friday 1st January 2027 inclusive, and reopen on Saturday 2nd January 2027.

Gallery closures:

We occasionally have to close a particular gallery for maintenance or a booked school group and guided tours, especially the Bayeux Tapestry (see below), Huntley & Palmers Gallery, Roman Silchester Gallery and Window Gallery. If you wish to see a particularly gallery it is advisable contact us in advance to check opening times.

Any planned service disruption or access issues can be found on the service disruption and closures page.

Bayeux Tapestry Gallery Access

The Bayeux Tapestry gallery is usually open every day during our opening hours. However, the Year of the Normans in 2026-2027 means this is a popular gallery for guided tours and school groups.

You can open this Calendar to see all times when the Bayeux Gallery will be closed to the general public in the next few months.

Quieter times:

Many school groups use our galleries in term-time weekdays between 10am and 2.15pm, and we may have to close specific galleries to our other visitors - see below.

The galleries are generally quieter after 2.30pm.

We ask groups of 10 or more people to book in advance

View more information about how to get here, our galleries, shop, schools, group visits and access."

Transport:

The museum is only a two-minute walk from Reading train station and main bus stops. Please see more information for buses here: https://www.reading-buses.co.uk/

Amenities:

Reading Museum has a cafe (The Pantry Cafe & Kitchen, https://thepantrytownhall.co.uk/ + https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/pantry-caf%C3%A9-kitchen and toilets all around, it is also located in the centre of Reading Town and so many other amenities are easily accessed.