Museums and Collections

River and Rowing Museum

Mill Meadows
Henley on Thames
Oxon
RG9 1BF
Tel: 01491 415 600
Web: http://www.rrm.co.uk

Set on the banks of the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames, the stunning River & Rowing Museum has 3 main galleries devoted to the River Thames, international sport of rowing and the town of Henley. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Graham's much-loved tale has come to the museum in a new permanent walk-through attraction. The famous illustrations of EH Shepherd are bought to life in an enchanting recreation of the timeless English classic. Walk along the River Bank, through the Wild Wood, into Badger's house and through all 12 chapters of this delightful adventure story.

The Museum of Reading

Blagrave Street
Reading
RG1 1QH
Tel: 0118 939 9800
Web: http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk

The Museum of Reading tells the story of Reading through the ages, from its Saxon beginnings to today's high-tech town. Also featuring Britain's Bayeux Tapestry - Reading's famous Victorian replica of the 11thC original, the Silchester Gallery housing artefacts from the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum and the Exhibition Gallery which hosts a changing programme of exhibitions. The Box Room, a fascinating interactive gallery features Reading Museum Service's loan collection. Situated in the town hall, a fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture.

The Museum of Berkshire Aviation

Mohawk Way
Woodley
RG5 4UE
Tel: 0118 944 8089
Web: http://www.museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk

Berkshire's dynamic contribution to aviation history is graphically re-captured at the Woodley museum. Run as a charitable trust, the museum is at the historic site of Woodley airfield, near Reading - once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry. Miles and Handley Page aircraft built at Woodley are being reconstructed and exhibited along with a fascinating pictorial record and priceless archives.

Museum of English Rural Life

Redlands Road
Reading
RG1 5EX
Tel: 0118 378 8660
Web: www.reading.ac.uk/merl
 
The Museum of English Rural Life houses one of England's most fascinating collections relating to life and work in the countryside over the last 200 years. Be prepared for something different as you discover how rural life has been shaped by natural materials, traditional skills and utilising technology developed over previous generations. The museum, library and archives represent a lost world that has been preserved and recorded through outstanding collections. Housed in new gallery premises, the museum offers a unique visitor experience as you explore the museum collections, including agricultural tools and implements, horse-drawn ploughs, farm wagons, woodworking and craft tools, smocks, basketry, film and photographs.

The Riverside Museum at Blake’s Lock

Gasworks Road
off Kenavon Drive
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 3DH
Web: http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/galleries/blakes.htm

The new Riverside Museum at Blake's Lock tells the story of Reading's 2 rivers - the Kennet and the Thames. The museum occupies 2 buildings - the Turbine House which spans the River Kennet with wonderful views and the Screen House in which you can see a gleaming gypsy caravan and displays about the waterways, including a medieval millwheel. Occasional visual art exhibitions during the summer.

The Stanley Spencer Gallery

The Kings Hall
High Street
Cookham
Tel: 01628 471 885
Web: www.cookham.com/about/spencer.htm

The Stanley Spencer Gallery, opened in 1962, is unique as the only gallery in Britain devoted exclusively to an artist in the village where he was born and spent most of his working life. To Spencer, Cookham was the scene of heavenly visitations and its influence can be seen when touring the village. Set in the heart of the village he immortalized, the gallery occupies the former Victorian Methodist Chapel where Spencer was taken as a child to worship.  The gallery contains a permanent collection of his work, together with letters, documents, memorabilia, and the pram in which Spencer wheeled his equipment when painting landscapes. It also displays important works on long-term loan, and mounts a winter and summer exhibition each year.

Milestones

Churchill Way West
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 6YR
Tel: 01256 477 766
Web: www.milestones-museum.com/

Step back in time to the late 1800s and experience Hampshire during the Industrial Revolution. Explore an authentically recreated network of streets, houses and factories and discover a host of fascinating objects and vehicles. Call into the Baverstoke Arms and drink in Edwardian atmosphere. Join Mrs Cox and her contemporaries as they recreate the wartime era and find out how to 'make do and mend'. There's something for everyone at Milestones. Come and discover your past! 

The Cole Museum of Zoology

University of Reading
Shinfield Road
Reading
Tel: 0118 931 8903
Web: www.colemuseum.rdg.ac.uk/

The Cole Museum of Zoology contains some 3500 specimens of which about 400 are on display at any one time. Specimens are arranged in 27 cases in taxonomic sequence enabling a complete tour of the diversity of the animal kingdom to be completed in less than one hour. A further three cases display temporary exhibits that highlight particular aspects of the Collection.
Highlights of the Collection include complete skeletons of an Indian elephant, a killer whale, a five metre reticulated python, and a pair of giant spider crabs.
The museum is open to the public, free of charge, between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm on weekdays except holidays. Pre-arranged groups may visit outside these times by appointment.  

The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology

Dept of Classics, Humanities Building
University of Reading Whiteknights
Reading
RG6 6AA
Tel: 0118 931 8420
Web: www.rdg.ac.uk/Ure/index.php

The Ure Museum was founded in the 1920's by the first Professor of Classics at the University of Reading, Percy Ure. The museum now houses one of the largest collections of Greek ceramics in Britain. Discover more about Greek mythology and life through the images on our vases. See everyday and extraordinary objects from the small oil bottles that athletes wore around their wrists to a mask of a terrifying Gorgon Medusa. Learn about the Egyptians too, through our important collection of artefacts, including a funerary boat and a mummified cat's head. 

The REME Museum

Isaac Newton Road (off Biggs Lane)
Arborfield
Reading
Berkshire
RG2 9NJ
Tel: 0118 976 3375
Web: www.rememuseum.org.uk/ 

The museum shows the developing technology used by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in maintaining and repairing the army's equipment since 1942. Exhibits include vehicles, medals, uniforms, dioramas, models, radar, telecommunications and weapons illustrating the trades and training of REME craftsmen. There are free quizzes, trails and interactives throughout the museum. The museum organises half-term activity days for families. The Corps' documentary, technical and pictorial archives are available to researchers.

Didcot Railway Museum

Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 7NJ
Tel: 01235 817 200
Web: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/
 
The Great Western Railway was incorporated in 1835 to build the railway from Bristol to London, designed and engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Members of the Great Western Society have created a living museum at Didcot, based around the original engine shed and depot to which has been added a typical branchline and country station, signalling demonstrations and a recreation of Brunel's original broad gauge trackwork, complete with a replica of the Fire Fly locomotive built in 1840. There is a large collection of GWR steam locomotives, carriages and wagons. Steam days and special events throughout the year when you can ride in the 1930's trains. New for younger visitors - the Science, Learning and Railways exhibition.