HM Prison Reading, popularly known as Reading Gaol, is a former prison located in Reading, Berkshire, England. The prison was operated by His Majesty's Prison Service until its closure at the start of 2014. It is a Grade II listed building and sits on the site of Reading Abbey.
The prison in 2007
Reading Gaol in 1844
Cell occupied by Oscar Wilde, as seen during Reading's 2016 Year of Culture
Graffiti by Banksy painted overnight 28 February/1 March 2021.
Reading Abbey is a large, ruined abbey in the centre of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. It was founded by Henry I in 1121 "for the salvation of my soul, and the souls of King William, my father, and of King William, my brother, and Queen Maud, my wife, and all my ancestors and successors." In its heyday the abbey was one of Europe's largest royal monasteries. The traditions of the Abbey are continued today by the neighbouring St James's Church, which is partly built using stones of the Abbey ruins.
The chapter house, from the site of the monks' dormitory
Burial of Henry I at Reading Abbey in 1136, painted by Harry Morley (1916)
The interior of the ruined chapter house
Restoration of an arch done in 2004
