Introduction
The historic character area, encompassing Castle Street, Gun Street, and St. Mary’s Butts, is rich with history dating back to Saxon times and extending through centuries of architectural and cultural evolution.
Historic Context
The convergence of Castle Street, Gun Street, and St. Mary’s Butts forms a historic hub north of the Kennet, integral to ancient trade routes. As a minster church, St Mary’s once served as a crucial religious, social, and economic hub. Its strategic location “above a waterway with an important road crossing” speaks to the thoughtful planning of our ancestors and the church’s central role in community life. This area, mapped by Professor Grenville Astill, shows the Saxon core of Reading, extending to Broad Street and Minster Street. Documented evidence reveals urban growth from an Anglo-Saxon market centred around St. Mary’s Minster. Archaeological finds at Nos 53-54 St Mary’s Butts highlight the area’s Saxon activity, showcasing livestock consumption, crop processing, and small-scale industrial endeavours.
As the area evolved, it became a focal point for trade, reinforced by the establishment of a mint by Edward the Confessor and the development of a market. The architectural legacy is evident with timber-framed buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, Georgian facades hiding earlier structures, and various Victorian styles, all contributing to the area’s historic charm. Two fine examples of unique buildings are No 17, which has decorative features externally and internally and has a double width, cobbled carriageway, and No 15. It has rare features including timber shutters with original L and H hinges. The uses of each of these buildings have changed over the centuries, indicating a change in use to meet local needs as those needs changed.
Relevance today
Strolling through this character area today is like walking through the pages of a history book brought to life. At St. Mary’s Butts the Saxon origins of Reading was experienced as a bustling market that once stood here outside the Minster doors, filled with traders and shoppers. Look around at the timber-framed buildings near the church today, some dating back to the 16th century, each one unique in form and function, including private houses, shops, and pubs.
The juxtaposition of Georgian facades and much older structures along Castle Street provides evidence of earlier habitation. Very steep roofs hint that older structures might lie behind the frontage. Along Gun Street, Victorian Baroque and Classical styles add a touch of grandeur. Here, the range of architectural styles from the 18th century to the present shows the area’s evolution over time. Pause by the Jubilee Fountain, from the Victorian era, and note the tea kiosk, a feature on the traffic island for over a century. On this traffic island once stood a terrace of houses overlooking another row of houses opposite the Minster church.
How different it looks today, surrounded by modern developments. Note how the historic and contemporary blend creates a vibrant urban fabric. The shops and businesses breathe new life into old buildings, ensuring the area remains a key part of the town.
A sense of place
This experience immerses people in a tangible connection to history, allowing them to walk through the layers of time. The varying architectural styles visually narrate the area’s evolution, fostering a deep appreciation for the past. This continuity bridges the past with the present, giving people a profound sense of belonging and context in the ongoing story of the area. It’s like stepping into a living museum where the past and present coexist, making the historical narrative a part of the everyday experience.
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