Groups familiarisation trips

Visit Reading/REDA organise regular Group Travel Organisers familiarisation visits Reading to find out more about what Reading can offer your groups.

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 a fam trip for GTOs, we can show you:

• Where Jane Austen went to school ahead of the 250th anniversary of her birth in 2025 – Reading Abbey Gateway (see access note below)
• A tour of the British Bayeux Tapestry - the only full-scale replica of the original Norman tapestry in Reading Museum
• Reading Abbey Ruins, the burial place of King Henry I of England, with Walk Reading
• Thames River Cruise 90-minute circular cruise up the Thames

Reading Museum, the Abbey Gateway and the Abbey Ruins are all within easy walking distance of each other in Reading’s Abbey Quarter. 

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.

Enquire about a fam trip>>