Our main meeting for worship is at 10.30 am every Sunday. It lasts an hour, and is mainly silent worship although people may stand and speak if moved to do so. Children leave the meeting after 15 minutes to go to Children's Worship. There is one group for under-8s and one for over-8s. Babies must be accompanied by a parent or carer. Latecomers are asked to wait until the children leave before entering the meeting, to avoid disrupting it. The end of the meeting is signalled by two elders shaking hands. The clerk will then give notices and welcome newcomers. There are two collection tins by the door as you leave - contributions are voluntary. After the meeting, tea and coffee are served (no charge) and Friends are available to talk to you if you have any questions.
There is disabled access to the meeting house, a disabled toilet and a hearing loop. Contact us if you have any specific access requirements.
You can hire the main hall or one of the 8 other rooms in the central Reading meeting house.
If you are interested in hiring room(s) at Reading Friends' Meeting House, please first check availability with the Warden on (0118) 950 7736 or by EMAIL Please note the start of your booking is the start time of your entry into the room(s) not the start time of your publicised event. The end of your booking is the time you leave the room(s) not the end of your publicised event.
After contacting us, view prices, room info and download the application form here and return by post. All bookings are only confirmed when we receive a completed & signed booking form. We will then invoice you quarterly- Payment is required retrospectively.
» Download Prices and Booking Application Form
By signing the application form, we assume that you have read and agreed to our Terms and Conditions
It is in the nature of our Quaker community in Reading that we do not seek to make profit from the letting out of our rooms and facilities. However we do need to earn a sufficient amount to be able to operate and carefully maintain the building. For this reason we hope that our rates are fair and competitive.
» Reading Quakers Email Enquiry
Tel: 0118 950 7736
The address is 2 Church Street, Reading, Berkshire. RG1 2SB
By Bike, Foot
Our Meeting House is close to Reading town centre. From Broad Street (John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, entrance to the Oracle) head east and then turn south down Duke Street and over the old hump-back bridge to the east of the Oracle shopping centre. Cross the dual carriageway and head up London Street. Watch out for a sign “Quaker Meeting House” pointing down an alley to the right. This opens out into Church Street, and the Meeting House is through a black double iron gate on your right.
By Train
Reading station is on the main line from London Paddington to the Midlands, Wales and the West of England, but also has trains to and from the south coast and the north. The meeting house is a 20 minute walk from the station. Walk up Station Road and Queen Victoria Street to Broad Street, turn left into Broad Street and carry on as above.
By Car
See the map here: maps.google.co.uk/maps. Church Street is a cul-de-sac. If you need to drop someone at the gate of the FMH, turn right off Southampton Street into Deansgate Road (just after the church) and then turn right and then left into Church Street. The FMH is near the end on the left (iron gates). There is no parking. On a Sunday you may be able to park in St Giles Close and walk through the alley at the end of the close to the FMH. Alternatively, park in London Street and follow the finger-post down the alley into Church Street. On a weekday you will probably need to park in the Oracle Shopping Centre car park or Queens Road car park.