About Reading

Did you know that Reading...

• Has strong links with the IT and insurance industries?
• Has two universities and a large student population?
• Has two rivers: the Thames and Kennet?
• Invented India Pale Ale?
• Invented 'Reading Sauce' in the 19th century (it's a bit like Worcestershire Sauce)?
• Imprisoned Oscar Wilde between 1895 and 1897, where he wrote 'De Profundis' in 1905 and released his famous 'Ballad of Reading Gaol'?
• Was the place where Jane Austin was educated, at Reading Ladies' Boarding School?
• Was where T. E. Lawrence lost his 1st draft of his 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' at Reading railway station?
• Other famous people from Reading are Kate Winslett, Ricky Gervais and Nicholas Hoult?
• Has its own edition of Monopoly?
• Was where the 'Little Chef' chain of roadside restaurants began? Its 1st branch was a small 11-seater venue started in 1958?
• Asked Charles Dickens to stand as its MP?