Reading Town Hall

Reading Town Hall
The town hall in 2018
Reading Town Hall is located in Reading Central
Reading Town Hall
Location within Reading Town Centre
General information
TypeTown hall
Architectural styleItalianate
Classification
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated22 March 1957
Reference no.1113400
LocationReading, Berkshire, England
Coordinates51°27′25″N 0°58′12″W / 51.45695°N 0.97005°W / 51.45695; -0.97005
Construction started1786
Completed1875; 149 years ago (1875)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Alfred Waterhouse

Reading Town Hall is the town hall of Reading, Berkshire, England. The town hall was built in several phases between 1786 and 1897, although the principal facade was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1875. Situated close to the site of Reading Abbey, it is adjoined to the north by the Hospitium of St John and to the south by St Laurence's Church.[1][2]

No longer the home of the town's administration, the Town Hall now houses the Reading Museum, a large concert hall, several smaller halls and conference rooms, a marriage Ceremony Room, and a public cafe. It is a listed building, with the block designed by Alfred Waterhouse being listed grade II*, whilst other parts of the building are listed grade II.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

  1. ^ "Reading Town Hall" (PDF). Reading Museum Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Town Hall". Reading Arts. Reading Borough Council. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  3. ^ Historic England. "Town Council Chamber and Offices with Clock Tower (1113400)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Small Town Hall (1321989)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. ^ Historic England. "Municipal Buildings – Concert Hall (1113401)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  6. ^ Historic England. "Municipal Buildings – Art Gallery and Museum (1321990)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  7. ^ holland, magicmilo. "Ceremonies". www.reading.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2021.