Reading Abbey

Reading Abbey is a large, ruined abbey in Reading, Berkshire, founded by Henry I in 1121 "for the salvation of my soul, and the souls of King William, my father, and of King William, my brother, and Queen Maud, my wife, and all my ancestors and successors".

Remains

The inner rubble cores of the walls of the major buildings of the abbey still stand, and in recent years have been conserved and stabilised. These are now freely accessible to the public as part of the Forbury Gardens, a city centre park, and are the scene for various outdoor performances in summer.

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The inner gateway of the abbey survives intact, albeit heavily 'restored' in the Victorian era, and now stands adjoining the Reading crown court and a large commercial office building, overlooking Forbury Gardens. Similarly the abbey's hospitium survives, and after various uses has now been incorporated into a recent office development.

Related Topics:
Crown court - Hospitium

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The abbey school, Reading School, (which was founded in 1125) institutionally survives as a state grammar school.

Related Topics:
Reading School - 1125 - Grammar school

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