Grade I listed · Reading

Reading Abbey Ruins

Reading Abbey Ruins is a Grade I listed building in Reading, first listed on 22 March 1957. It is one of 6 Grade I entries among 504 listed buildings in Reading; 1% of Reading’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	Reading Abbey Ruins
Grade	Grade I — exceptional interest
List entry number	1113477
Date first listed	22 March 1957
Local planning authority	Reading
Location	51.45635, -0.96507 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1113477

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Reading will require for your works on Reading Abbey Ruins, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest — only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England. Any application for listed building consent is notified to Historic England, and alterations are scrutinised closely.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near Reading Abbey Ruins

Name	Grade	Distance
11 and 12, Abbot'S Walk	II	35 m
10, Abbot'S Walk	II	43 m
St James Former School Buildings	II	45 m
Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins	II*	49 m
St James's Presbytery	II	58 m
Reading Gaol (main building) former Her Majesty's Prison	II	71 m
Wall between Forbury Road and Abbott's Walk to west of St James's Church	II	78 m
Church of St James's	II	81 m
Anglian Cross	II	87 m
Shelter at north-east corner of Forbury Gardens	II	110 m

Frequently asked questions

Is Reading Abbey Ruins listed?

Yes. Reading Abbey Ruins is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, list entry number 1113477, first listed on 22 March 1957. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to Reading Abbey Ruins?

Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from Reading, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.

Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.