Hidden Architectural Treasures of Reading: Heritage Open Days

29th August 2025

Heritage Open Days return to Reading from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September 2025, offering a rare chance to explore the town’s most intriguing, beautiful and history-filled buildings for free. Every September, this national festival celebrates England’s rich cultural heritage by unlocking doors that are often closed to the public. This year’s theme is architecture! 

From sweeping Georgian façades to ornate Victorian churches, secret rooftop gardens to 900-year-old abbey walls, Reading’s buildings tell stories. During this special week, you’re invited to step inside, look up and listen in. 

Nature and Sustainability 

Step into Reading’s green heritage this September, where historic gardens meet sustainability in some of the town’s most beautiful outdoor spaces: 

Basildon Park 

Experience stunning 18th‑century architecture set amid 400 acres of historic parkland and pleasure gardens. With the tearoom open for refreshments, it’s a serene escape and an ideal outing for nature lovers and history buffs alike. 

Look, Draw, Build in Caversham Court Gardens 

A charming hands‑on drop‑in workshop perfect for families and creative spirits. Sketch, explore and build in the historic Caversham Court Gardens using nature as your inspiration. Behind the scenes, these gardens date back to the 17th century and include Grade II listed features and a rare riverside gazebo . 

RISC Rooftop Garden Open Day 

Visit Reading International Solidarity Centre’s rooftop edible ‘forest garden’, a living demonstration of sustainability. It features plants with global economic uses (food, medicine, clothing), offering a fascinating twist on urban gardening . 

Family Art Workshop – Jelly x Mills Archive Trust 

A joyful fusion of art, history and sustainability awaits at Watlington House. In this creative drop-in workshop, families can explore renewable energy through hands-on activities, guided by artists from Jelly and experts from the Mills Archive Trust. Imagination and heritage collide as children craft and learn in one of Reading’s oldest surviving domestic buildings. 

Reading’s Milling Heritage Walk 

Join Margaret Simons, a Mills Archive Trust historian, on a guided walk around Central Reading exploring the town’s renewable energy and milling history. Learn how mills supported industry and community, and see how that heritage lives on now. 

Green Park Wind Turbine Tour 

Get up close to one of Reading’s most iconic modern landmarks on a guided tour of the Green Park Wind Turbine. This towering structure, visible from the M4, powers thousands of homes, and now you can learn how it works, why it matters, and what it tells us about Reading’s commitment to a greener future. 

Faith and Culture 

Experience Reading’s heritage through music, stories and spaces alive with tradition.

S. Giles-in-Reading Church

Explore one of Reading’s three medieval churches, with a history reaching back to 1191 when it was gifted to Reading Abbey. Once a place of sanctuary, its tower was garrisoned during the Civil War and destroyed in 1643 before later being restored.

Christ Church 

Enjoy a Church Open Day at this historic building on Christchurch Road. Discover the architecture on a self-guided tour, enjoy a family-friendly quiz and stay for a Festival Evensong service at 6pm, with complimentary drinks and nibbles afterward. 

Reading Town Hall Organ 

Celebrate the magnificent 'Father' Willis organ at Reading Town Hall. Drop in for an illustrated talk, lunchtime recital, masterclass and even a ‘have-a-go’ session. 

Reading Synagogue & Jewish Living Exhibition 

Visit 7 Goldsmid Road on 14 September to explore a traditional synagogue and an accompanying exhibition by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. It's a rich cultural experience providing meaningful insight into local Jewish heritage. 

Reading Minster: Church of St Mary the Virgin

Open on multiple dates, Reading Minster blends Norman foundations, Gothic architecture, and Victorian restorations. With over 900 years of history, it's one of the town’s most iconic religious buildings to explore freely. 

Time-Travel Talks

For those who’d rather sit back and listen, Heritage Open Days in Reading offers a treasure trove of talks and storytelling.

Royal Meteorological Society: 175 Years and Counting 

Step inside one of Reading’s most distinguished institutions to celebrate its 175th anniversary and learn how weather and climate studies have shaped our world. 

Reading Quaker Meeting House Talks 

Explore the heritage of this peaceful retreat with talks on Alfred Waterhouse, the famed Victorian architect, and the story of Quakers in Reading. 

Crossing the Thames at Caversham

Discover the many ways people have crossed the river over time, from ferries and fords to bridges that shaped the growth of Reading. 

Berkshire Churches (Online) 

Tune in from home for an illustrated online talk uncovering the beauty and heritage of Berkshire’s historic churches. 

Ukrainian Wonders – Storytelling Through Heritage 

A vibrant storytelling session celebrating Ukrainian culture, weaving tales that connect past and present through heritage and tradition. 

Get Exploring!

Heritage Open Days runs 12–21 September 2025 across Reading — and it’s all completely free. So mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready to explore the treasures on your doorstep. Explore the full line-up of events here.