After some debate, plans to demolish the Town Hall and replace it with a new cultural centre were abandoned, and in 1986 refurbishment of the building started.

The Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum was excavated in the 1860s, unearthing a diversity of finds including jewellery, fine glass and pottery, sculpture, mosaics, iron tools and coins.

This space provides seating around a Roman pavement mosaic from the Silchester site, where a 4th-century Christian church is thought to have existed.

Information boards around the exhibit offer a translation of the original Medieval Latin, while providing the visitor with a historical description of the conquest.

The display charts how Huntley & Palmers pioneered the mass production of biscuits and explains why Reading became known as the 'Biscuit Town'.

Originally, this section of the museum housed the Reading School of Art and as such was designed to be well-lit by natural daylight from the windows on either side.

Highlights of the collection include: 12th century Romanesque capitals from Reading Abbey; sculpture by Rodin, Epstein and Gibbings, and Delftware plates and other ceramics.

[8] This is a recreation of the museum's original Victorian era art gallery and houses changing exhibitions of artworks.

As of February 2020, it is open from 10:00 to 16:00 on Tuesday to Friday, 10.00 to 17.00 on Saturdays, and closed all day Monday and Sunday, with exceptions for holidays.