Planning Your Visit
20-30 July 2022 we will perform Great Expectations in the Abbey Ruins.
Times
Venue opens at 6.45pm.
The performance begins at 7.30pm, finishing in darkness at a time to be confirmed, before 10.40pm.
There is an interval of twenty minutes.
Venue
- A licensed bar, provided by Blue Collar, will be open before the show and during the interval.
- Toilets will be available on site.
- In the case of rain, a shortened version may be presented.
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Reading Abbey Ruins, Chestnut Walk, Abbey St, Reading RG1 3BA
Entrance at https://w3w.co/amused.priced.wonderfully (what3words)
The only access is from Chestnut Walk - also known as the Oscar Wilde Memorial Walk - over the footbridge and across Kings Road if coming from Queens Road Car Park. If coming from the station, cross the Forbury Gardens, walk under the arch of the Abbey Gateway and turn left at the bottom of Abbey St. There will be no access from Forbury Gardens or Abbots Walk.
Please do not bring drinks with you, a bar is being provided by Reading based company Blue Collar. You may know them from their street food markets in Market Place, food and drink events in Forbury Gardens and previous work with Reading Football Club. They’ll be selling craft beers, Prosecco, wines, spirits, soft drinks and bar snacks.
What to Bring
An Open Air production is always a wonderful way to experience theatre - here are some tips to help you to have the best time possible:
- Warm clothing – Because the production is in the open air, it can become quite cool by the end of the performance, even on hot July days. Just in case it gets a bit too chilly, bring a jumper or a blanket so you can wrap up warm if you need to...
- Waterproofs – There's no roof, so there's just a chance there's a passing shower - not that that would ever happen in England of all places! - make sure you check the weather forecast and ensure you've got something to keep yourself dry if needed. Except in the back row, umbrellas are only allowed on your lap during the performances, so something with a hood would be perfect!
- Seating – There is fixed raked seating, except for the front row, which is reserved for wheelchair users and their companions. Unlike last year, there is no need to bring your own chair.
Don't bring
- Alcohol - there is a licenced bar on site.
- Bulky items that won't fit on your lap or under your seat.
- Folding chairs - seating is provided this year
Please leave the venue quietly
so as not to disturb nearby residents.
Disabled access
There is no parking nearby, so disabled patrons can be dropped off/collected in Abbey Street to gain access to Chestnut Walk, where the main entrance gate is situated.
The Abbey Ruins are accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues via a footpath. Please note there is step-free access but no handrail. There are steps to row B and above.
There are parking bays for blue badge holders in the town centre, including two on Blagrave Street directly outside the Reading Museum and four on the Forbury Road (please be aware that these are often in use).
Directions
By car
Follow signs to Reading Town Centre or Reading Station.
Parking
On-street parking close to the Abbey Quarters is metered and very limited, so we recommend using the public car parks at Queens Road (the closest), The Oracle, Kings Meadow or Hills Meadow (across Reading Bridge). It will then be a short walk to Reading Abbey Ruins. List of car parks
By train
Take any train to Reading. Exit the station on the town side, not the Caversham side. Turn right along Forbury Road as you exit the station. The Abbey Ruins is a five-minute walk from the station; cross the Forbury Gardens, walk under the arch of the Abbey Gateway and turn left at the bottom of Abbey St.
By bus
Take any bus to the town centre - the nearest stops are Reading Library on Kings Road, Blagrave Street, Market Place and Reading Station on Forbury Road. For more information, please visit the Reading Buses website.
