Edward Lever's Pictures of Reading

Reading Abbey Ruins

View of part of the Abbey ruins. Reading Abbey was founded in 1121 by Henry I and was effectively destroyed in 1539 by Henry VIII at the dissolution of the monasteries.

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Reading, Abbeys and Cathedrals, Buildings and Structures, Berkshire

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Abbey Wharf Reading

This view of a section of the River Kennett is close to the the south side of what was formerly Reading Abbey. The right-hand side of the river bank would have been the Wharf of the Abbey and used for loading and unloading of goods.

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Reading, Buildings and Structures

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River Thames near Caversham Bridge

One of the many pleasure craft seen on the non-tidal mid to upper reaches of the River Thames. Trips are available from Reading and nearby towns (Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Oxford etc) on commercial cruise boats such as the one seen here or on private hire boats.

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Reading, River Scenes

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The River Thames near Reading Bridge

View from Caversham Weir looking back towards the new apartments (Thames Quarter) at the centre of the frame

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Reading, River Scenes

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Mural on the side of Hydro Generator Hut at Caversham Lock

This colourful mural adorns the generator hut of a small Hydro Turbine on the River Thames at Caversham Weir. The theme of the mural is amusingly 'Woke', with the patriarchal figure of 'Father Thames' supplanted by the matriarchal invention of 'Mother Thames', portrayed here as a strong black woman spanking the wayward waters of the Thames.

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Reading

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Eldon Square, Reading

It is likely that the houses in this area were built mainly for the medical staff at the nearby Royal Berkshire Hospital.

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Reading, Buildings and Structures

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Polish Roman Catholic Church, Watlington Street, Reading

This impressive building was formerly St. John's Anglican Church. It was saved from demolition by being taken over by the Polish community. It is now a Roman Catholic Church, and has recently been restored by fund raising from the community and a grant from English Heritage.

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Reading, Churches

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Market Place and St. Laurence's Church, Reading

St. Laurence's Church dates from the 12th century and is just outside the precincts of Reading Abbey. The old black and white buildings to the left of the picture are in a dilapidated state, and I should make it clear that their visible leaning is not due to the camera angle.

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Reading, Street Scenes

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 7D

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Vastern Road Roundabout, Reading

Looking north

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Reading, Street Scenes

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Thames Lido, Reading

These outdoor swimming baths near the river Thames at Reading were first opened in 1902 as the Ladies Swimming Baths. They were closed to the public in the early 1970's and lay derelict for many years before being restored as the 'Thames Lido' to include Spa and Restaurant facilities, and reopened in 2017. The building was granted Grade II listed status in 2004 by English Heritage, thwarting a move to demolish it by Reading Borough Council, who wanted to sell the site for redevelopment. It is believed to be one of the oldest surviving municipal open-air swimming pools in England from the Edwardian era.

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Reading, Buildings and Structures

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Abbey Ruins, Reading

All that now remains of the Abbey walls is their rubble cores. The facing stones were either stolen or sold in the period after the dissolution of the Monasteries. The open space seen here would have once had a roof and comprised the Dormitory. The only structures which remain intact from the foundation of the Abbey are the Hospitium and the Abbey Gateway, which can be seen in my other pictures of Reading.

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Reading, Abbeys and Cathedrals

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Hospitium (Guest House) of Reading Abbey

The building seen here in St Laurence churchyard has its origins in 1189 as the Hospitium (Guest House) of Reading Abbey. It has served in many other roles over the centuries, and is now a Children's Daycare Centre.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Reading, Abbeys and Cathedrals

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Houses at Abbot's Walk, Reading

Part of the Abbey Ruins can be seen at the left of the picture.

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Reading, Buildings and Structures

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The Archway at Reading Old Cemetery

This once-magnificent Archway is located at the entrance to a now disused Cemetery at the appropriately named Cemetery Junction in Reading. The uninspiring location provided the title for a Ricky Gervais / Stephen Merchant film set in '70s Reading.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Reading, Buildings and Structures, Cemeteries

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Reading Railway Station

The actual station entrance is at the left. The old building faced with Bath Stone is the original Brunel-era ticket office, now converted into a pub.

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Reading, Trains and Railways

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Reading Abbey Gateway

This structure dates from the foundation of Reading Abbey in 1121. It underwent major restoration in 1869 by George Gilbert Scott, following its partial collapse in a storm in 1861. Further restoration work was completed in 2018. The building has remained largely intact (unlike the Abbey itself) following the dissolution of the monasteries. The rooms in the gateway and attached buildings were put to various uses over the years, including its use as a Girls School which Jane Austen attended in 1785.

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Reading, Abbeys and Cathedrals

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Thames Tower and Reading Station entrance

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Reading, Street Scenes

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Reading Abbey Ruins

Present day view of the Abbey Ruins with a display of an engraving of the Ruins circa 1791 in the foreground. It seems that even in those days, the Abbey was already well ruined.

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Reading, Abbeys and Cathedrals

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Foggy morning at Christchurch Bridge, Reading

Pedestrians hurrying to work across the footbridge in morning fog

This picture appears in the following picture tours:
Reading, England in Winter, Street Scenes

Camera Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 6D

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Reading, Berkshire - Forbury Road

View towards Watlington Street

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Reading, Street Scenes

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