Groups familiarisation trip - 15 April 2024

Visit date - Monday 15 April, 10am – 3pm

Visit Reading/REDA would like to invite Group Travel Organisers to visit Reading to find out more about what Reading can offer your groups in 2025.

As you may know, 2025 is the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen. A young Jane Austen attended school in central Reading in what had been one of the original gateways to the medieval Reading Abbey.  The Abbey Gateway has been conserved in recent years and during 2025, Reading Museum will be offering visits to Jane Austen’s school building.

Reading is one of the easiest destinations to get to by coach or rail and offers a stimulating day visit for groups. On this fam trip for GTOs:

• See where Jane Austen went to school ahead of the 250th anniversary of her birth in 2025 – Reading Abbey Gateway (see access note below)
• Enjoy a tour of the British Bayeux Tapestry - the only full-scale replica of the original Norman tapestry in Reading Museum
• Be guided round Reading Abbey Ruins, the burial place of King Henry I of England, with Walk Reading
• Join Thames River Cruise on a 90-minute circular cruise up the Thames as they celebrate their 50th anniversary

Reading Museum, the Abbey Gateway and the Abbey Ruins are all within easy walking distance of each other in Reading’s Abbey Quarter. We will be taking taxis to reach the pier for the river trip.

Accessibility: please note that Jane Austen’s school room is on the first floor of the medieval Abbey Gateway and is only accessible by a steep staircase. The Gateway is a listed building and has no wheelchair or disabled access. If in any doubt, please contact us to discuss access.

The familiarisation trip is co-ordinated by REDA/Visit Reading, the DMO for Reading. 

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