Virtual Walking Tour of Reading Abbey Quarter

A virtual walking tour of the Abbey Quarter in Reading Town Centre. Prepared for BSc3 Real Estate & Planning students at the University of Reading undertaking project work on the Reading Prison redevelopment.

[@andrewlong6438]

Really excellent video. Thanks.

[@Toscin99]

Interesting i enjoyed this

[@scousepie2]

The Heart and soul has been ripped out of Reading in the name of commerce... what have they done to the town.. great upload.

[@Gavsub89]

What has Reading Borough Council done to its town. Allowing stunning Victorian architecture to be pulled down and replaced with concrete structures that are already being pulled down 40 year later.

[@Stealth360stealth]

Can you do a history of the IDR and why it was built, this was cool as I learnt more about the history of Reading, but in depth

[@joedoak]

Thanks for the suggestion. I know about the general context of urban motorways but the details of the IDR would need a bit more research on my part. We have some good photos, maps, plans and archives though, so it definitely could be put together. However, my ‘main project’ at the moment is the history of the Huntley & Palmers factory, which is the subject of my PhD research. I will certainly produce a video summary of that!

[@joedoak]

Here’s another tour and interpretation of the Abbey Quarter that provides a lovely, ‘youthful’, complement to this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpTNgZ6GoLtjebc

[@realfoodcommunity7752]

Thanks, really interesting, we live in the Georgian houses in Abbot’s Walk built in the 1830s that abut the Abbey Ruins it’s alway good to hear about this area & we are keen to know what will happen to the Gaol. Our homes, and the other houses in this road sadly now demolished, we believe once belonged to people linked to industry in this area - do you have any knowledge of the road & the properties from your research? TIA

[@joedoak]

Probably your best source of info on Abbot's Walk is John Mullaney's 2014 book, 'Reading's Abbey Quarter: An Illustrated History' (published by Scallop Shell Press). The book focusses on the details of land ownership and building development. It says that Abbots Walk was laid out and houses built by John Weedon, a local solicitor and someone heavily involved with land dealing and property development during the boom years of Reading's Victorian industrialisation. I've come across him a lot during my research on H&P and the sale/development of the Crown Lands of East Reading. The book includes some illustrations of the original houses. I could do a quick check of the Census records to see who was occupying them....so watch this space!

[@joedoak]

The 1861 Census has ‘Fund Holder’ (i.e. living off investment funds) as the occupation of four of the heads of household on Abbot’s Walk. Of the other eight, we have Gentleman, Coach Trimmer, Shop Manager, Barrister, Tobacconist, blank (female), Publisher and Solicitor. A number of the other household members are Fund Holders (sisters, sons and daughters). The solicitor is William Slocombe, who was family solicitor to the Palmer family....just up the road! One of the Fund Holders is also listed as a Brewer. They all have servants.

[@GSW2008]

@@joedoak thanks for the information & lead on John Weedon. I’ve many local history books but not then one I’ll track it down it’s sold out on Amazon but I’ll stroll to the museum. Find this fascinating..

[@GSW2008]

@@joedoak that’s fantastic & fascinating. The houses that remain are 10, 11 & 12 we live in 11.. sorry questions does the census info have the detail so you could tell who was in each house? How does one access the census info - I’ll go & have a google now. The neighbours have enjoyed your video that I shared with them.. great living in a bit of history! Thanks again

[@joedoak]

@@GSW2008 email me on [e-mail] and I’ll send you through the Census details.