Reading - Abbey Quarter & Gardens
Reading - Abbey Quarter & Gardens
Couldn't load pickup availability
Treasure Hunt Trail
Treasure
Hunt
1.5 Hours
1.5 miles
Not
Accessible
Accessible
Dog
Friendly
The Mysterious Hand of St James - Unravel the Truth!
Back in 1133, a mummified hand believed to be that of St James the Apostle was gifted to Reading Abbey by Henry I's daughter, Mathilda. For centuries, it was used for healing ceremonies and drew medieval pilgrims from all over Europe to the abbey. However, during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, the monks hid the hand in an old iron chest in the abbey wall. It was later discovered by workmen building Reading Gaol in 1786 and passed on to Reading Museum. However, the relic was eventually sold and now resides in St Peter's Church in Marlow. But one question remains-was the hand truly that of one of Jesus' closest friends? Rumours of a long-lost manuscript have surfaced, thought to reveal the shocking truth. It's up to YOU to solve a series of 'handy' clues and track down the manuscript's location!
A Quest for the Truth in Reading - Abbey Quarter & Gardens
Embark on a real-life adventure through Reading's hidden gems with this self-guided Treasure Hunt Trail. Leave the hustle and bustle of the town centre behind as you make your way towards the impressive and important religious institution of Reading Abbey in the Abbey Quarter & Gardens. From there, venture on to Forbury Garden, where twisting tales and sneaky clues await. Keep your eyes peeled for research images that will aid your quest and lead you to unexpected discoveries.
Can YOU unravel the truth of a 900-year-old mystery and reveal the shocking secrets of the mummified hand of St James?
The Details
- A self-guided treasure hunt walking Trail around Reading Abbey ruins and Forbury Garden.
- Ideal for kids aged 6 – 106!
- 1.5-mile ‘loop’ Trail (takes 1.5 hours to complete at your own pace).
- Text message service with clues if you get stuck.
- Solve the quest and be entered into a £100 monthly draw.
- Learn more about where you live or explore somewhere new.
- Download your Trail now for INSTANT FUN (or receive your copy in the post)!
Trail Location
Trail Location
The Reading Abbey and Forbury Gardens Treasure Trail starts at:
The Reading Abbey Gateway
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 3BD
England
Kings Meadow Car Park
Napier Road
Reading
RG1 8BN
Mini Explorer Club
Mini Explorer Club
We have three super duper themed Clubs for your child to enjoy as part of their Treasure Trail experience.
Perfect for 4-8 year olds, the concept behind the Clubs is that your child will get a bundle of goodies to excite
them about their forthcoming Trail experience, something to keep them entertained whilst travelling to and from
the Trail, and something to be given on completion of the Trail as a keepsake.
Show more »
What is a Treasure Trail?
What is a Treasure Trail?
Before You Set Off
Before You Set Off
Before you set off on your awesome adventure to explore Reading, there are a few things you need to know...
Please note that both the abbey and gardens are usually open between dawn and dusk. They close for occasional ticketed events and private hires, so do check their website in advance.
This Trail is educational, relatively short, includes many picture clues, and is very safe, making it ideal for families and children.
The route is friendly for pushchairs, but wheelchair users would need assistance due to gravel paths and some mounds that need negotiating.
Bring your four-legged friends along! This is a dog-friendly Trail.
The closest pay and display car park to the Trail start point is at Kings Meadow (RG1 8BN) (include link), just an eight-minute walk away.
There are some fantastic events in Reading Abbey Quarter’s calendar, all of which are great times to visit this beautiful area. However, you may find that some of the Clues on this Trail may become obstructed or difficult to access on these occasions, and you may be denied entry during ticketed and private events. If you would like further information about event dates, please contact the Reading Abbey Quarter team.
There are public toilets available in the gardens and railway station, and the route passes a small café and plenty of picnic spots. You’re only a short walk from Reading town centre if you need more refreshment stops or snack shops.
Looking for more things to do near Reading Abbey Quarter? Make a day of it and visit Reading Museum or the Museum of English Rural Life to learn more twisting tales about Reading and its history. You could even challenge yourself to our other Reading Trail and let out your inner daring detective!
