Reading Museum
LightNews LightNews
banner
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Reading Museum
@readingmuseum.bsky.social
2.1K followers 530 following 250 posts
Posts from Reading Museum. We share stories from the history of the town of Reading, its people, its wildlife, and our collections.

www.readingmuseum.org.uk
Posts Replies Media Videos
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Ahead of Games Day on Saturday 28 February, we have released free downloadable DnD resources:

🎲 ready-to-use magic items booklet
🎲 toolkit for creating your own magical items
🎲 printable cards and templates

Links below!

#ReadingUK #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #DnD #RPG #TTRPG #ttrpgCommunity
February 12, 2026 at 4:03 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
We're getting ready for February Half Term..

Our new trail which starts on Saturday hunt though the galleries to find our wonderous museum items, each one will be guarded by a fire breathing dragon! 🐉

www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/family-fun-reading-museum

#RDG #RDGUK #HalfTermFun #Dragons
Reading Museum's Dungeons and Dragon trail with a treasure chest and a fire breathing dragon
February 12, 2026 at 11:08 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
We love this aerial view of the fantastic Iron Age hillfort on the Berkshire Downs near Blewbury, excavated by this very museum in the 1940s and 1950s, see some of finds including a complete dog skeleton in our Green Space gallery
hedleythorne.bsky.social Hedley Thorne @hedleythorne.bsky.social · 21d
Blewburton hillfort, South Oxfordshire.
February 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Have you walked the St James' Way yet?

It's a picturesque walking route, part of the ancient 'Camino de Santiago' pilgrimage, start your journey at Reading Museum!

We stock official guidebooks and Pilgrim Passports
reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/collections/...

#RDGUK #StJamesWay #CaminoIngles
St James Way Camino guidebooks, from Reading to Southampton
February 10, 2026 at 8:30 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Don't miss our Bayeux Dragon or Chinese New Year Dragon activity packs - available to make & take throughout half term week from 14 February🐉

www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/fam...

#RDG #RDGUK #FamilyFun
Dragon activity pack at Reading Museum
February 9, 2026 at 8:16 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Step into Reading’s history with this stunning scale model of Jacksons Corner in its Edwardian heyday, celebrating a local landmark that served generations from 1875 until 2013.

On display now until 28th March.

www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/jac...

#ReadingUK #scalemodels #diorama #nostalgia
February 6, 2026 at 4:20 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Today we're stepping back to 1945, around the corner from the museum, where Blue Coat School students are in the Market Place after leaving the Sunday service at St Laurence's church.

Part of a series taken by the Ministry of Information and exhibited internationally

#ReadingLocalHistory
Black and white photo of a Reading street with a group of boys dressed in black formal school robes walking down the street, with a church in the background, taken in 1945. From Reading Museum's collection.
February 6, 2026 at 8:54 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
@artukdotorg.bsky.social's #OnlineArtExchange theme this week is 'Of Land and Sea' so we're sharing this sunny watercolour by Alan Caiger-Smith to brighten up February's rainy start 🌧️
This beach of palms looking out to the sea is Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ☀️
vibrant watercolour showing a line of palm trees next to the sea, with a boat and a mountain in the background. From Reading Museum's collection.
February 5, 2026 at 2:17 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
⭐ Planning what to do this February half term?

🐉 We have some wonderful dragon themed activities for you to enjoy as a family..

🔎 Find out more: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/family-fun-reading-museum

⭐ Don't forget our special Monday opening on 21st Feb!

#RDG #RDGUK @rdgwhatson.bsky.social
What's on listing for February half term 2026 at Reading Museum
February 4, 2026 at 10:04 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
📢 Back in stock!

⭐ Our popular book about Reading's iconic Jackson's department store is back in stock, in-store and online

🔎 Don't miss our current special Jackson's display at the Museum

reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/products/jac...

#RDG #RDGUK #JacksonsCorner #ShopLocal #ReadingMuseumShop
Jackson's department store book with bags, hat and coat hanger from Reading's famous shop
February 3, 2026 at 9:32 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Discover your DnD alter ego at Reading Museum!

Games Day on Saturday 28 February 🎲 Come play classic board games, ancient games, and DnD – all players welcome!

Limited spaces for DnD, book yours here: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/games-day-ad...

#ReadingUK #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #TabletopGaming
January 28, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Reading Museum
brittunculus.bsky.social
I hope you'll find room to showcase this amazing polychrome glass bowl. It was an absolute highlight for me when I visited in 2023.
January 27, 2026 at 5:56 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Thanks @benpaites.bsky.social, we agree the biggest problem will be choosing which objects to include and what stories to tell (there are 26,000 objects in the Silchester Collection!), but a nice problem to have 😀🏺
benpaites.bsky.social 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 16d
This is wonderful news! Calleva is a hugely important site. I spent weeks excavating there as an undergrad and did my undergrad thesis on the brooches from the Roman town and surrounding area. There are some really amazing finds to tell its story!
readingmuseum.bsky.social Reading Museum @readingmuseum.bsky.social · 16d
Do you know why Calleva Atrebatum is so special? It is one of the best-preserved Roman towns, near Silchester, excavated between since the 1860s.
Today, we have secured a Heritage Fund grant to Reimagine Roman Britain for the 21st Century!

#Romans #RomanBritain #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
January 27, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Reading Museum
themerl.bsky.social
Huge congratulations to our friends at @readingmuseum.bsky.social on receiving funding to reimagine their Roman Silchester gallery!
readingmuseum.bsky.social Reading Museum @readingmuseum.bsky.social · 16d
Do you know why Calleva Atrebatum is so special? It is one of the best-preserved Roman towns, near Silchester, excavated between since the 1860s.
Today, we have secured a Heritage Fund grant to Reimagine Roman Britain for the 21st Century!

#Romans #RomanBritain #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
The Silchester Eagle at Reading Museum with Heritage Fund, Reading Borough Council and Reading Museum logos
January 27, 2026 at 11:02 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Do you know why Calleva Atrebatum is so special? It is one of the best-preserved Roman towns, near Silchester, excavated between since the 1860s.
Today, we have secured a Heritage Fund grant to Reimagine Roman Britain for the 21st Century!

#Romans #RomanBritain #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
The Silchester Eagle at Reading Museum with Heritage Fund, Reading Borough Council and Reading Museum logos
January 27, 2026 at 10:19 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
We often overlook everyday signs, but they help shape a place’s identity. Here are a few from the museum collection - some recent, some historic.
Reading Festival (2003), Milkmaid (c1900-50), Regent Café (1950s), Wills Westward Ho! (c1900–50), Thames Valley Bus (mid‑1900s), Wynford Arms (1992–2015)
A digital collage of 6 photographs showing different enamel or painted signs, taken in a store/studio environment. There is a yellow road sign, an old fashioned milkmaid sign, a sign for ice cream, an old pub sign with a rainbow flag painted on it, an old Thames Valley bus stop sign and finally a sign showing signs of age and corrosion advertising Westward Ho! Smoking Mixture. From Reading Museum Collection.
January 23, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by Reading Museum
bucksarchives.bsky.social
Let's talk about the Aylesbury tunnels.
January 22, 2026 at 1:03 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Our bottles of Mead are now reduced for the rest of this month in store or online via Click+Collect:

reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/collections/...

#RDG #RDGUK #ShopLocal #ReadingMuseumShop
bottles of mead
January 22, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Reading Museum
rdgwhatson.bsky.social
Huzzah! @readingmuseum.bsky.social is open once again - and they've got some very interesting workshops and events lined-up... starting this Saturday with a mixed-media collage workshop in partnership with New Directions College!
whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...
readingmuseum.bsky.social Reading Museum @readingmuseum.bsky.social · 23d
📢 Reading Museum reopened today after planned essential maintenance work was completed!

😊 We look forward to welcoming our lovely visitors back through the doors

#RDG #RDGUK
The exterior of Reading Town Hall and Reading Museum, with Queen Victoria's statue
January 20, 2026 at 11:55 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
📢 Our Reading tote bags are back in stock!

💚 Flash Sale - we are offering them at £12.99 rather than our usual price of £14.99 for the rest of January:

reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com/products/rea...

#RDGUK #ShopLocal
Reading, UK tote bag available from the Reading Museum shop
January 20, 2026 at 11:32 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
📢 Reading Museum reopened today after planned essential maintenance work was completed!

😊 We look forward to welcoming our lovely visitors back through the doors

#RDG #RDGUK
The exterior of Reading Town Hall and Reading Museum, with Queen Victoria's statue
January 20, 2026 at 10:46 AM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Do you recognise any of these views of Reading? They were taken from the top of a water tower in Mill Lane over 100 years ago and show landmarks still identifiable today.

📷 Photography by Mr Lewis taken c. 1900-1903
#FridayFinds
black and photograph showing an arial view of Reading from Reading Museum's collection black and photograph showing an arial view of Reading from Reading Museum's collection black and photograph showing an arial view of Reading from Reading Museum's collection black and photograph showing an arial view of Reading from Reading Museum's collection
January 16, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by Reading Museum
edhawkins.org
As the climate data for 2025 continues to be released, it's time to update various data visualisations.

First - the global climate stripes for 1850-2025. A third darkest red stripe is added.

The last 11 years have been the warmest 11 years on record. A sequence that is unlikely to be broken soon.
January 14, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Reading Museum
spiddly.bsky.social
What links red telephone boxes to Reading architectural features?

The Simeon Monument in Market Place, was designed by John Soane.

The Soane family tomb inspired Giles Gilbert Scott’s classic phone box design.

Gilbert Scott’s grandfather George, restored Reading Abbey Gateway #rdg #rdguk
January 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM
readingmuseum.bsky.social
Today, we have been cataloguing 'The Daisy No.2 Sweeper', vacuum cleaner about 1914.

It wouldn’t have been out of place in Downton Abbey. Perhaps Daisy, the maid would have used a ‘Daisy’ vacuum cleaner?

It's from one of our School Loans box H173 #FridayFinds Museum Object number: 2008.148.1
The Daisy No.2 Sweeper being photographed at the Reading Museum collection store The Daisy No.2 Sweeper, Reading Museum collection
January 9, 2026 at 3:48 PM