Reading Museum

Haven’t got tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum? Don’t worry you can visit Reading's full-size copy, faithfully embroidered by 35 women in 1885-86 (plus extra pants!) Or latest blog compares the two tapestries www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/comparing-bayeux-and-reading-tapestries

we are The Museum of English Rural LIVE

We are opening today for October half term from 10am to 4pm. A good opportunity to see Britain's Bayeux Tapestry, also lots of family fun - pumpkin trail and activity cart all day, just drop-in. Admission is free www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/family-fun-reading-museum

Our Silchester Collection has Roman objects in the form of an eagle, a horse and a cockrell, but no hares!

Look out for @themerl.bsky.social podcast, drops next week - featuring our favourite topic the Bayeux Tapestry - and of course the stunning Victorian version here at Reading Museum (free to visit, and slightly less crowds than the British Museum 😂)

'Reflections of Resistance' by Chris Day Inspired by African shields, wood and cowhide backs contrast with copper wire and blown glass. Day explores what it means to be of dual cultural heritage in the UK 🛡️ 2025.64.1=3 📷 Reading Museum, Chris Day Given by CAS, with assistance of RFFA #FridayFinds

A reminder for those who missed out of Bayeux Tapestry tickets yesterday, you can see the Victorian replica @readingmuseum.bsky.social ⬇️

Or, visit @readingmuseum.bsky.social. Or listen to our next podcast episode from @themerl.bsky.social, where we chat with the brilliant historian and archaeologist Dave Musgrove about what the Bayeux Tapestry tells us about the Normans' impact on the English countryside.

And there are plenty more shopping opportunities (shopportunities?) for both festive and regular purchases, all offering wares from local artists, makers and indies - buff.ly/H79kIJb

⭐ Our popular historic decorations are available in-store or online in the Reading Museum Shop ⭐ Our collection includes King Harold Godwinson with an arrow in his eye from the Bayeux Tapestry reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/search?q=dec... #RDG #RDGUK #BritainsBayeuxTapestry

Missed out on our Bayeux Tapestry tours? This Saturday enjoy the narrative of the tapestry brought to life through poetry by author, poet and composer Martin Kiszko - we have just a few tickets left! www.readingmuseum.org.uk/bayeux-tapes... 📆 Saturday 17 October; performances at 11.45am and 2pm

Easiest gold star you'll ever earn: which history-defining battle happened on October 14th, 960 years ago? Put your (very educated) guesses in the comments 👇 #RdgUK

Planning what to do this October Half Term? Why not visit Reading Museum? We have some great activities lined up! See the Family Fun page on our website for more info.

Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a celebration of women in STEM. In our latest blogpost, our librarian Claudia celebrates the history of women dairy scientists and explores their representation in our collections. merl.reading.ac.uk/news-and-vie...

Want to see behind the scenes at the museum store? Sign up for an expert led guided tours. See collection highlights and handle some objects. Wed 28 October, 2pm and Wed 25 November, 11am Book via our website #FridayFinds

We understand that the online ticket queue for the #BayeuxTapestry is once again LARGE So it's our duty to remind you that @readingmuseum.bsky.social has its own version, which has no online booking queue and can be seen for free. It also has added underpants.

Model recreating the appearance of the amphitheatre at Calleva Atrebatum with scale ground plan. In the collections of @readingmuseum.bsky.social. Photo is my own. #RomanSiteSaturday

Seems an appropriate time to bring this up again (and you could go the @themerl.bsky.social while you were there, too: win win).

October is Black History Month, and there's a wealth of events lined-up #inrdg - exhibitions, poetry, music, theatre and much more, from the likes of @readingmuseum.bsky.social, @southstreetarts.bsky.social and others. Take a look via whatsonreading.com/black-histor...

go to @readingmuseum.bsky.social (right now)

Want to get up close with some of @readingmuseum.bsky.social 's lesser-seen artefacts? October and November offer more chances to go on guided tour of the Museum’s offsite store in Whitley, where most of the collections that are not on display are kept. Look & book - buff.ly/S06Al1r

Interested in Roman history? Join us on Saturday 19 Sept for our 'Romans Reimagined Day', part of the Heritage Open Days programme: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/her...

Looking for a gift for a history lover? Did you know that we stock these fairtrade decorations of King Harold Godwinson from the Bayeux Tapestry? Find out more on our shop site reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/collections/..., and don't miss our upcoming events and talks. www.readingmuseum.org.uk

We're just a few days away from this year's Heritage Open Days! And there's so much to get stuck into - exploring our old churches, going on history walks, object-handling at @readingmuseum.bsky.social, discovering the histories of well-known places... whatsonreading.com/heritage-ope...

We are enjoying all things Bayeux Tapestry related this autumn! Pop in to the Reading Museum Shop in-store or online to see our Bayeux range: reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/collections/...

Join internationally acclaimed poet and composer Martin Kiszko on 17 Oct for performances of his Epic Poem. Each ticket incudes a copy of the Epic Poem to be collected on the day. www.readingmuseum.org.uk/book-launch-... Image: C.2026 Richard Parker Crook

Book now for our wonderful Bayeux Tapestry Talks Series at Reading Museum: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on-rea... #RDG #RDGUK #BritainsBayeuxTapestry

We have just released more Bayeux Tapestry tour tickets for January and February, so book now to avoid disappointment! 📅 www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/bayeux-tapestry-tours

We have just released more Bayeux Tapestry tour tickets for January and February, so book now to avoid disappointment! 📅 www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/bayeux-tapestry-tours

We have just released more tickets for our Bayeux Tapestry talks series: On 24 Oct is Michael Lewis, curator of the British Museum Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, Dave Musgrove, co-author of 'The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry' is on 14 Nov, and on 6 Feb Prof Anne Curry Book at www.readingmuseum.org.uk

Not only that, @readingmuseum.bsky.social has some wonderful Bayeux-related talks and other events coming up this autumn too whatsonreading.com/themes/readi...

Reading Festival is here! Check out these Reading Festival posters from 1978, 1992 and 2021. Recognise any of the headliners? The festival has been in our town since 1971. Charlie XCX is one of this year's headliners. 🖼️ 2023.75.3, 2023.75.6 2023.76.1 📷 Reading Museum #FridayFinds

5 ancient Egyptian amuletic figures, provenance unknown. Amulets were believed to have positive properties that can be magically transferred to their owner. In Ancient Egypt they were usually worn on the body. These amulets could be worn as pendants. 🏅 1997.137.32.1-5 📷 Reading Museum #FridayFinds

Have fun at Reading Museum during the summer holidays! Pop in and enjoy our ROAR-some Dino and Fossil Trail, and make a creative dinosaur collage with our craft packs. Available during our opening hours Tues to Sat, more info at www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/family-fun-reading-museum

@uniofreading.bsky.social celebrates its centenary this year. Women students at London Road campus cloisters, 1945. Students came from all over the country to study, staying in five residential halls, two for men and three for women. 1946.52.114 Ministry of Information, Reading Museum #FridayFinds

We have lots of low-cost and free family fun activities throughout the summer 🖼️✏️🦖 and kids meal deals in the cafe! 🍽️ And don't forget under 16s go free on local buses this August, so there are even more reasons to visit Reading Museum! 🚌 www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/family-fun-reading-museum

Continuing from yesterday’s #WorldEmbroideryDay here is a embroidery of Halley’s comet based on our replica #BayeuxTapestry The comet, with its bright flaming tail, appeared in the sky in 1066 and was considered a bad omen by the English 2001.297.20 Embroiderers' Guild, Reading Museum #FridayFinds

I just saw this in a rather good museum.

What happens when you mix historical artefacts, collaborative storytelling and a twenty-sided die? @readingmuseum.bsky.social are setting out to answer just that with an Intro to Dungeons and Dragon for 10-12 year olds on 5 Aug, offering up new ways of bringing the museum to life. buff.ly/AJKa9x8

Here we go again 🇫🇷 VS 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #1066 #2026 #WorldCup2026