Cole Museum - University of Reading

The Cole Museum of Zoology is owned and managed by the University of Reading. 

It was established by Professor Francis Cole in 1906 when the University was known as University College Reading. The Cole Museum of Zoology represents a snapshot of animal diversity in the early 20th century and has always been used to teach zoology and comparative anatomy. The Museum is home to thousands of specimens of great zoological significance, including taxidermy, skeletons, histological preparations, fluid-preserved dissections, fossil material, casts, and some superb models of developmental stages and extinct animals.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, unless the University is closed.

We may be closed for teaching for periods of up to two hours during term time.

The Cole Museum is centred at the heart of a working University building, and we must ask our visitors to be considerate of our staff and researchers working on the upper floors by keeping noise levels to a minimum. We regret that, as a result, the museum is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

Please check the museum's calendar before you visit particularly if you are making a special journey.

Group visits must be booked in advance visit website to find out more.

 

Who to contact

E-mail
colemuseum@reading.ac.uk
Website
https://collections.reading.ac.uk/
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Where to go

Name
Cole Museum
Address
Reading Science Centre,
Reading University
Whiteknights
Reading
Postcode
RG6 6LA
Directions to RG6 6LA
Notes

PARKING

Parking on campus is limited, so we encourage visitors to use alternative methods of transport to get to the museum.

There is a pay and display (£1.50 per hour or £10 for all day) car park for museum visitors at the Shinfield Road entrance to Whiteknights campus.

Please be aware it is a 10-15 minute walk from the car park to the museum. 

Car park address for sat navs:

Car Park 1A
Queen’s Drive
Reading
RG2 7BW

There are parking bays for disabled drivers at the front of the museum building in car park P13.


Sat nav details: P13, Reading, RG6 6LA

 

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm closed on weekends and bank holidays
Session Information
We may be closed for teaching for periods of up to two hours during term time, or busy with a group in the museum.
The Cole Museum is centred at the heart of a working University building, and we must ask our visitors to be considerate of our staff and researchers working on the upper floors by keeping noise levels to a minimum. We regret that, as a result, the museum is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

Costs

Details
Admittance is free of charge – we do however ask our visitors to consider a donation of £1 per person, particularly for groups.- Group Visits (10 or more) must be booked in advance visit website for more details.

Availability

Age Ranges
5+ years

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Disclaimer

This information has been collected from third party providers therefore the Reading Services Guide, Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of this information and recommends that parents, carers, young people, residents and professionals check with providers regarding DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) and OFSTED registrations and CQC registrations. Information collected by Reading Service Guide; is used solely to implement and supply the Family Information Service (FIS), Special Educational Needs & Disabilities - Reading's Local Offer, Adults & Carers Support Group and Reading Youth.

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Contact the Team

Family Information Service

fis@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

SEND Local Offer

localoffer@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

Adult & Carers Support

CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3747 0118 937 3747
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