Friar Street, Reading
Encyclopedia
Friar Street is a thoroughfare
in the English
town of Reading
. It runs parallel to Broad Street
, connected by Union Street
, Queen Victoria Street
and Cross Street. At the western end is the Greyfriars Church
and at the eastern end are the Town Hall
and St Laurence's Church
.
that was possibly medieval were found after preliminary archaeological evaluations. The following excavation found a succession of hearths, with associated structures, dating from the 13th century up to post-medieval period.
Located on the south side of Friar Street once stood the Frank Matcham
designed Royal County Theatre, built in 1895. In 1937 it was destroyed by fire.
In 1963 a Sainsbury's supermarket opened putting many small local food shops out of business.
Friars Walk
shopping centre located at the western end of Friar street opened in 1973-4, it is currently derelict
and will be demolished if proposed the Station Hill
redevelopment project goes ahead.
Thoroughfare
A thoroughfare is a place of transportation intended to connect one location to another. Highways, roads, and trails are examples of thoroughfares used by a variety of general traffic. On land a thoroughfare may refer to anything from a rough trail to multi-lane highway with grade separated...
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
town of Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
. It runs parallel to Broad Street
Broad Street, Reading
Broad Street is a main pedestrianised thoroughfare and the primary high street in the English town of Reading. The street is situated in the town centre, running for approximately , from west to east. The western end of the road lies at the crossroads with Oxford Road, West Street and St Mary's...
, connected by Union Street
Union Street, Reading
Union Street known locally as Smelly Alley is a pedestrianised thoroughfare in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. It connects Broad Street and Friar Street.The name Smelly Alley is thanks to the long-established Frosts Fishmongers....
, Queen Victoria Street
Queen Victoria Street, Reading
Queen Victoria Street is a pedestrianised thoroughfare in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. It connects Broad Street with Friar Street and Station Road.- History :...
and Cross Street. At the western end is the Greyfriars Church
Greyfriars Church, Reading
Greyfriars Church is an evangelical Anglican church in the town centre of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. The church forms part of the Church of England's Diocese of Oxford....
and at the eastern end are the Town Hall
Reading Town Hall
Reading Town Hall is the town hall for the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. The town hall was built in several phases between 1786 and 1897, although the principal facade was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1875...
and St Laurence's Church
St Laurence's Church, Reading
St Laurence's Church is a Church of England mission and former parish church in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated alongside the site of Reading Abbey, formerly bounded by the main Compter Gate to the south and the Hospitium of St John to the north...
.
History
Excavations were carried out on Friar Street in 1997 at the location of a proposed extension Marks and Spencer store by the Oxford Archaeological Unit. Early post-medieval structures and a hearthHearth
In common historic and modern usage, a hearth is a brick- or stone-lined fireplace or oven often used for cooking and/or heating. For centuries, the hearth was considered an integral part of a home, often its central or most important feature...
that was possibly medieval were found after preliminary archaeological evaluations. The following excavation found a succession of hearths, with associated structures, dating from the 13th century up to post-medieval period.
Located on the south side of Friar Street once stood the Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham
Frank Matcham was a famous English theatrical architect. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery.-Early career:...
designed Royal County Theatre, built in 1895. In 1937 it was destroyed by fire.
In 1963 a Sainsbury's supermarket opened putting many small local food shops out of business.
Friars Walk
Friars Walk, Reading
Friars Walk is a derelict indoor shopping centre in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated at the eastern end of Friar Street in the town centre.- History :...
shopping centre located at the western end of Friar street opened in 1973-4, it is currently derelict
Derelict
Derelict or dereliction commonly refers to:* Abandonment of property, then referred to as a 'derelict'* Derelict , property which has been abandoned and deserted at sea by those who were in charge without any hope of recovering it...
and will be demolished if proposed the Station Hill
Station Hill, Reading
Station Hill is a road and proposed redevelopment project in Reading, Berkshire, England.-Redevelopment:There is a proposed redevelopment project of Station Hill....
redevelopment project goes ahead.