Residents in Reading, Berkshire, have the chance to explore the historic Abbey Gateway from a new perspective during exclusive rooftop tours taking place on 16 May 2026. Organised by Reading Museum, these one-hour sessions offer visitors the rare opportunity to climb to the top of the medieval structure for aerial views of the Forbury Gardens and the Abbey Ruins.
The Abbey Gateway is a Grade I listed building and one of only two complete structures remaining from the original abbey, which was founded by King Henry I in 1121. Following a significant restoration project completed between 2017 and 2018, the site underwent vital internal and roof repairs supported by a £1.77 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a wider project overseen by Reading Borough Council.
During the tour, attendees will learn about the building’s 900-year history, including its time as a school for novelist Jane Austen, who studied there from 1785 to 1786. The tour also covers the site’s royal connections, such as its use by Queen Elizabeth I in the 1560s, and its darker history, including the 1539 execution of the last Abbot of Reading, Hugh Cook Faringdon, just outside the gate.
These tours are part of the European Year of the Normans 2026-2027, which celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror. Those planning to attend should note that the building does not have step-free access. The rooftop is only reachable by climbing three flights of steep steps, including a circular staircase and passing through a very low doorway; because of this, the tour is not recommended for small children.
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