National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
Our funding will transform how the town’s significant Iron Age and Roman heritage is shared with the public. The renamed Calleva Gallery will be created with accessible and immersive redisplays of nationally important collections from Silchester – one of the most significant Roman towns in the UK.
The gallery will share what life was like in the nearby Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, showcasing over 1,000 objects from the collection, like the Silchester Eagle and Roman wooden water pump. These will be displayed through innovative multisensory experiences that are shaped by community feedback.
Alongside the gallery, the Roman Britain – Reimagined in Reading project will:
- run an extensive programme of community activities to engage new audiences
- expand learning opportunities with an updated schools programme to deepen engagement with Roman heritage for young learners
- offer volunteer and internship opportunities in heritage, interpretation and community engagement
The project is supported by strong partnerships with organisations like the University of Reading whose groundbreaking research has helped shape the new gallery.
Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said “This is a landmark moment for Reading, building on our already vibrant cultural and historical offer. The gallery will showcase world-class archaeological treasures from Silchester but will also create an inclusive, interactive experience that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our community.”
The new Calleva Gallery will welcome visitors from 2028, celebrating and sharing Reading’s links to Roman Britain for generations to come.
Discover more museums, libraries and archive projects that tell the stories of our cultural heritage.
