Why Reading?
What’s going on in Reading?
When not absorbed in debate or enjoying the company of fellow delegates at our wonderful socials, you might consider getting a bite to eat or relaxing with a drink around town taking in Reading’s picturesque surroundings.
For food, the Oracle Riverside provides anyone with an abundance of choice. With cuisine for all palates and menus from around the world, there is something for even the fussiest of eaters! The town center provides people with even more choice, from restaurants to bars to classic pubs.
Founding and medieval history:
Despite some speculation that Reading was established during the Roman Occupation of Britain, it is widely accepted that Reading was established during the 8th Century by the Saxons. These Saxons were lead by a Chief known only as Reada, from whom the town gets its name, meaning ‘Reada’s People’. During the Viking invasions of the British Isles Reading became a strategically important location for the Vikings and as a result saw the Saxons fail in an attempt to drive the Vikings out of Reading in 871 AD.
After the Norman Conquest, Reading and the lands surrounding it were divided by William the Conqueror amongst his vassals, Battle Abbey in East Sussex was given vast tracts of land in the area. Reading’s significance began to grow under the reign of Henry I who founded Reading Abbey, meaning that Reading became a site of pilgrimage. The abbey was affected by Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries and during these events the abbey’s abbot was hung, drawn and quartered. Despite the dissolution of its most notable asset at the time, Reading was the most populated town in Berkshire by the year 1525 and 10th largest town in England. This wealth and prosperity continued to grow with the particular help of merchants such as John Kendrick.
Civil war and the Industrial Revolution:
The wealth that the town had accumulated made the town a vital asset in the English civil war. Reading quickly became a battlefield between the Royalist and Parliamentary factions. The damage was so severe that it would take until the 20th Century for Reading’s local industries to recover from the damage dealt during the conflict.
Reading also hosted the most pivotal event of the Glorious revolution, the setback suffered here by James II (in which the people of Reading played a vital role) convinced him to flee the country. Reading was also no exception to the sweeping advancements and developments brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Reading was host to various iron works and breweries and during this time became the transport hub it is today, as the coaching industry took advantage of Reading’s links to Oxford and the West Country. The canal network was also developed, bringing in river traffic towards the Thames. This industrialization as well as the growth of local government infrastructure gave rise to Reading’s role as a county town, which was officially confirmed in 1869.
Post-War and Modern Reading:
Reading’s citizens fought in both World Wars and despite the losses suffered in both conflicts, post-war reading continued to grow into the major town that it is today. The villages of Woodly, Tilehurst and Earley all integrated into the rapidly growing Reading during the 1950s.
Modern Reading has many sights to see thanks to this rich history and has over 850 listed Heritage buildings. Modern developments include Berkshire’s undisputed retail center, the Oracle, which opened in 1999. The Rail Station and M4 have also made Reading an important commuter town and a gateway to the West Country. As a result of these developments, its history and it's status as the largest town in England by population, Reading made several attempts to become a city, all of which have been sadly unsuccessful so far.
When not absorbed in debate or enjoying the company of fellow delegates at our wonderful socials, you might consider getting a bite to eat or relaxing with a drink around town taking in Reading’s picturesque surroundings.
For food, the Oracle Riverside provides anyone with an abundance of choice. With cuisine for all palates and menus from around the world, there is something for even the fussiest of eaters! The town center provides people with even more choice, from restaurants to bars to classic pubs.
Founding and medieval history:
Despite some speculation that Reading was established during the Roman Occupation of Britain, it is widely accepted that Reading was established during the 8th Century by the Saxons. These Saxons were lead by a Chief known only as Reada, from whom the town gets its name, meaning ‘Reada’s People’. During the Viking invasions of the British Isles Reading became a strategically important location for the Vikings and as a result saw the Saxons fail in an attempt to drive the Vikings out of Reading in 871 AD.
After the Norman Conquest, Reading and the lands surrounding it were divided by William the Conqueror amongst his vassals, Battle Abbey in East Sussex was given vast tracts of land in the area. Reading’s significance began to grow under the reign of Henry I who founded Reading Abbey, meaning that Reading became a site of pilgrimage. The abbey was affected by Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries and during these events the abbey’s abbot was hung, drawn and quartered. Despite the dissolution of its most notable asset at the time, Reading was the most populated town in Berkshire by the year 1525 and 10th largest town in England. This wealth and prosperity continued to grow with the particular help of merchants such as John Kendrick.
Civil war and the Industrial Revolution:
The wealth that the town had accumulated made the town a vital asset in the English civil war. Reading quickly became a battlefield between the Royalist and Parliamentary factions. The damage was so severe that it would take until the 20th Century for Reading’s local industries to recover from the damage dealt during the conflict.
Reading also hosted the most pivotal event of the Glorious revolution, the setback suffered here by James II (in which the people of Reading played a vital role) convinced him to flee the country. Reading was also no exception to the sweeping advancements and developments brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Reading was host to various iron works and breweries and during this time became the transport hub it is today, as the coaching industry took advantage of Reading’s links to Oxford and the West Country. The canal network was also developed, bringing in river traffic towards the Thames. This industrialization as well as the growth of local government infrastructure gave rise to Reading’s role as a county town, which was officially confirmed in 1869.
Post-War and Modern Reading:
Reading’s citizens fought in both World Wars and despite the losses suffered in both conflicts, post-war reading continued to grow into the major town that it is today. The villages of Woodly, Tilehurst and Earley all integrated into the rapidly growing Reading during the 1950s.
Modern Reading has many sights to see thanks to this rich history and has over 850 listed Heritage buildings. Modern developments include Berkshire’s undisputed retail center, the Oracle, which opened in 1999. The Rail Station and M4 have also made Reading an important commuter town and a gateway to the West Country. As a result of these developments, its history and it's status as the largest town in England by population, Reading made several attempts to become a city, all of which have been sadly unsuccessful so far.