Discount Hotels Reading
Historical interest: Reading
    
Reading began life as a Saxon settlement, but was first mentioned in the year
871 when it was captured by the Danes. The Normans built a wooden castle in
Reading, which was later replaced by a stone castle; however, the king demolished
it in 1152 fearing it might fall into the hands of his enemies.
In the Middle Ages Reading prospered because it was on the main road between
London and the west. In those days the journey from London to Bristol and other
western towns took several days and Reading was a convenient place to stay the
night. Reading also benefited from the Abbey, which was built by Henry I in
1121-1125, and to which many pilgrims came.
Cloth manufacture was the mainstay of Reading's economy during that time; however,
Reading prospered as there were several industries and many tradesmen living
and working in the town, including leather makers, boat builders, goldsmiths,
carpenters, blacksmiths, stonemasons, millers, bakers and butchers. The merchants
gained much influence and by the early 14th century were organized into a guild
that looked after their interests.
In August 1642 the civil war between the King and parliament began. Reading
was occupied by both parliamentary and Royalist troops several times but remained
in parliamentary hands until the end of the war in 1646. In 1688 there was a
battle in Reading between 300 Irish troops loyal to the deposed King James II
and Dutch soldiers supporting the new king who was coming to replace him. A
short fight ensued and the Irish soldiers were driven from Reading.
During the 18th century much of Reading was rebuilt and its buildings became
much more elegant as this prosperous town flourished.
More recently it has become a popular commuter town serving London and has
attracted a great deal of IT companies, resulting in rapid urban growth.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Comfort Inn Reading | | Park International Hotel | | Abbey House Hotel | | Reading Moat House | | Renaissance Reading Hotel | | Holiday Inn Reading - South | | Hanover International Hotel & Club | | Quality Hotel Reading | | Millennium Madejski Hotel Reading | | Courtyard by Marriott | | Travelodge Reading East | | Reading, Holiday Inn | | Travelodge Reading West | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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