UoR Cent Heritage Tours: Reading & University at times of War

Reading Minster Church is the starting point for a guided walking tour on Thursday 5 November, part of the University of Reading Centenary Heritage Tours. It's called Reading & University at times of War, and it looks at the connections between the town and the university during the First and Second World Wars, and later conflicts too.

The tour follows the Berkshire regiments and the university's contributions to the war effort, alongside the less-known stories of courage, sacrifice and resilience of the people commemorated on campus. The route includes the iconic Memorial, so you'll be seeing the physical markers of that history as you go rather than just hearing about them. It's a guided walk, so you'll be moving through the city and up towards the university, with the stories tied to the places you pass.

If you're into local history, it's a good way to see how the university fits into the wider story of Reading during the wars. The focus is on the people involved—the regiments and the individuals commemorated on campus—so it's more about the human side of things than just dates and numbers. It's part of the centenary celebrations, which is why the university is opening up these connections to the public.

The tour starts at 10:00 on Thursday 5 November, and you meet outside the main entrance of Reading Minster Church, RG1 2LG. From there, you'll head out on the walk, so it's worth wearing comfortable shoes and checking the weather before you set off.