Downtown Reading

We walked around downtown Reading today and even saw the Reading Gaol (jail) made famous by Oscar Wilde. Couldn't get close to the original structure because it is located inside the current jail compound which still offers "guest services". Also wandered about the remains of Reading Abbey, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. Heading out of Reading tomorrow (Friday) for parts unknown and with Mike behind the wheel it ought to be quite a frightful adventure!

First pic is Mike at the back of the St. Mary's Church (built in the 12th century). There is a creepy graveyard around the church too (pics in previous post). The rest of the photos are of the abbey and abbey grounds. In the third pic you can see how modern buildings (and these might be 150 years old!) are literally built right next to or even attached to much older existing ones. The fourth pic shows part of St. James Catholic Church (left part of pic) which was built in the early 1800s on part of the Abbey grounds.

The last pic shows the entrance to the abbey (which is closed to the public for restoration). The tower in the background center left of the picture is part of the old Reading Gaol (jail). The Reading Abbey's last abbot, Hugh Cook Faringdon, a friend of Henry VIII, was tried and convicted of high treason and hanged, drawn, and quartered in front of the Abbey Church as ordered by King Henry. Guess being the wife or friend of the king wasn't necessarily a good thing!