Grade II* listed · Reading

Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins

Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins is a Grade II* listed building in Reading, first listed on 14 December 1978. It is one of 22 Grade II* entries among 504 listed buildings in Reading; 29% of Reading’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins
Grade	Grade II* — particularly important, more than special interest
List entry number	1113478
Date first listed	14 December 1978
Local planning authority	Reading
Location	51.45668, -0.96553 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1113478

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Reading will require for your works on Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to 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 II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest — about 5.8% of listed buildings. Applications for listed building consent are notified to Historic England.

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 Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins

Name	Grade	Distance
11 and 12, Abbot'S Walk	II	17 m
10, Abbot'S Walk	II	19 m
St James Former School Buildings	II	28 m
Wall between Forbury Road and Abbott's Walk to west of St James's Church	II	32 m
St James's Presbytery	II	32 m
Anglian Cross	II	42 m
Reading Abbey Ruins	I	49 m
Church of St James's	II	49 m
Shelter at north-east corner of Forbury Gardens	II	66 m
The Plummery Wall	II	89 m

Frequently asked questions

Is Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins listed?

Yes. Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to Abbey Ruins is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building, list entry number 1113478, first listed on 14 December 1978. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to Archway Connecting Forbury Gardens to Abbey Ruins. Including Retaining Walls Flanking Path to 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.