Facts About Reading You Didn’t Know
Facts About Reading You (Probably) Didn't Know
Reading’s rich history dates back to the mediaeval period, with roots extending to the 8th century when the town was founded by the Saxons. Internationally famous for it’s annual music festival, Reading is the source of numerous fascinating stories and historical significance that often go unnoticed. To let you in on some of the town's lesser-known characteristics, we've compiled an array of intriguing facts about Reading that even our locals may not be aware of.
The Largest Town Without City Status
Reading is a town, not a city, which is another little-known fact that often surprises visitors. With a population of around 342,117, Reading is the UK's largest town without city status. Despite applying for city status multiple times—most recently during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 and again during the Platinum Jubilee in 2022—Reading remains a town. This curious distinction makes it larger than many official cities in the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Bath.
Beer, bricks, and biscuits—the three Bs—are what made Reading famous and helped to shape the industrial revolution.
Biscuit Capital of the World
In 1911, the ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition to the South Pole was supplied with emergency biscuits from the world's biggest biscuit factory, which was located in Reading and owned by Huntley and Palmer throughout the 19th century. At its peak, this factory employed over 5,000 people and produced more than 400 different types of biscuits that were exported worldwide. The factory's iconic tins have become sought-after collectors' items, representing a significant piece of British industrial design history.
Brewing Traditions
In 1785, William Blackall Simonds established Simonds Brewery, afterwards known as H & G Simonds, which owned and ran ten pubs in the city. This brewery eventually grew to become one of the largest in Southern England, with its distinctive aroma wafting through the town centre for nearly two centuries before operations ceased in 1999. The brewery's legacy continues in several historic pubs that operate in Reading today.
The “Reading Red” Bricks
Established in the middle of the 19th century, S & E Collier Ltd. became the biggest brick manufacturer in Reading and is known for creating the renowned “Reading Red” bricks. These distinctive bricks were used in many of the town's Victorian buildings and were exported throughout the south of England. The clay pits that provided the raw materials for these bricks have since been transformed into nature reserves and water parks, adding to Reading's green spaces.
A Haven During Wartime as an Evacuee Town
During World War II, Reading was considered a safe town that was 'unlikely to be bombed'. Early in the war, a large number of children from London were relocated to the town in an attempt to safeguard them. Many local families opened their homes to these evacuees, with schools accommodating the influx of children. This period forged lasting connections between Reading and London families, with some evacuees choosing to remain in Reading even after the war ended.
Secret Military Connections
Less known is Reading's role in military intelligence during the war.
Caversham Park, just north of Reading, housed a BBC monitoring service that intercepted and translated foreign broadcasts, providing crucial intelligence to the Allied forces. The information gathered here played a significant role in understanding enemy movements and intentions throughout the conflict.
Cultural Contributions
Notable people
Along with actress Kate Winslet, who has a road named after her, Reading has produced many notable individuals such as comedian Ricky Gervais, Tony Sullivan and TV host Chris Tarrant (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?). Musician Mike Oldfield is also from Reading. The town has surprisingly deep connections to the entertainment industry, with many actors, musicians, and writers either born in Reading or having strong ties to the area.
Literary Links
Reading also has significant literary connections. Jane Austen attended Reading Ladies Boarding School in the late 18th century, and Oscar Wilde wrote his famous “Ballad of Reading Gaol” after being imprisoned there in 1895. The town's literary heritage continues with the annual Reading Festival of Crime Writing and its connection to the University of Reading's renowned publishing courses.
Modern Reading: A Tech Hub
In recent decades, Reading has transformed from its industrial past into one of the UK's leading technology centres. Often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of the UK”, Reading hosts offices for major tech companies, including Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco Systems. This has brought new vitality to the town, creating a unique blend of historic charm and modern innovation.
Ready to Stay with Celador Apartments?
If you are travelling for business or leisure, choose
Celador Apartments for your next stay in this historically rich and vibrant town.
We go the extra mile to ensure our guests stay in an apartment that is matched exactly to their taste, requirements and family. With the highest level of service and a selection of
unbeatable locations in the heart of Reading, it really is the ideal home-from-home experience from which to explore all that this fascinating town has to offer.
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