Location and Accommodation
READ College, St Bart's Theatre, St Bartholomew's Road, Reading, RG1 3QA
Where is READ College?
READ College is located in Reading, UK, about 30mins from London by train and 5 minutes from the M4 (junction 10). The town has a great student life, with both the University of Reading and Reading College of Art & Design being very close by.
We are located in the middle of a beautiful park, just 12 minutes bus ride from Reading centre. Read on for details of accommodation…
We are based in St Bart’s Theatre, a beautiful 19th century Victorian listed church building which has been converted as a stunning studio theatre complete with everything you would expect - sprung floors/mirrors/barres, students changing and toilet facilities, common rooms, and also our offices and staff facilities. We also have several things you may not expect such as 100-foot high vaulted ceilings, winding spiral staircases and 20-foot stained glass windows!
Just a short walk across Palmer Park (which backs on the college) is our 2nd building, Park Studios, which is an old school building housing 5 additional studio spaces of different sizes. The park is a lovely environment, and also gives the studios on the top floor some beautiful views!
In the middle of the park, between our two buildings, you will also find a library and coffee shop which students have use of. There are lots of shops, cafes and convenience stores within walking distance and there is easy access on public transport. We are served by 4 bus routes, which take about 12 minutes from Reading town centre, and there is also free parking at both buildings.
Accommodation at READ College (read on for details of how to find us on public transport!)
For students auditioning for us from outside the area or outside the UK (approximately 70% of each year group) we have lots of accommodation options to suit different budgets. Accommodation is arranged privately by each student, but we are always on hand to advise and help, and provide full support to students when they are enrolling with us.
There are privately-managed halls of residence just a five minute walk from the college, which lots of our students choose as the most convenient option. The halls are well looked after, and have 8 rooms on each floor (all en suite) with a shared living space and kitchen. We are also surrounded with student housing in Reading, so just a few minutes walk from college students can find houses or flats to rent, and we help students who are looking for housemates to co-ordinate with one another when they enrol.
Finally for younger students, such as 1st years on our Sixth Form courses, or for those living away for the first time, we have a partnership with a local homestay organisation who organise placements in fully vetted family homes in the area, where students live as a lodger.
Finding READ College for your open day or audition
St Bart’s Theatre, St Bartholomews Road, Reading, RG1 3QA
Buses:
12, 13 & 14 (Orange route) from town centre, 12 minute journey - The Orange route buses depart from Blagrave Street (stop EM). As you exit Reading Station, you will see a roundabout in the middle of the road opposite you with a statue in the middle of it, and behind that is a Starbucks Coffee shop. Stop EM is right outside the Starbucks.
Get off the bus at Liverpool Road (the stops are shown on screens in the buses). As the bus approaches Liverpool Road you will have just passed READ College on the right, so when you get off the bus walk back in the opposite direction and you will see the college on the opposite side of the road.
17 (Purple route) or X4 (Lion route) from town centre, 12 minute journey & 5 min walk - The Purple and Lion route buses depart from Blagrave Street (stop EO). As you exit Reading Station, walk round to the left following the road and keeping the station on your left. The road bears right immediately opposite a pink office building called the Apex Plaza (next to the station) and if you follow the road to the right here, stop EO is the first one on your left (opposite the Blagrave Arms pub). It is only a minute on foot from the station.
Get off the bus at College Road (the stops are shown on screens in the buses) on the corner of Palmer Park. Immediately behind the bus stop as you get off the bus is St Bartholomews Road (with Bart’s Grill Restaurant on the corner). Follow St Bartholomews Road to the far end and the college is the last building on the right as you get to the T junction.
Driving:
We are 10 mins from junction 10 of the M4 if you are travelling in from the east, or about 20 minutes from junction 11 of the M4 if you are coming from the west. St Bartholomews Rd runs directly between two major routes in and out of Reading - London Rd and Wokingham Rd - so it is easy to find with a SatNav but allow yourself a little extra time for town centre traffic! There is free parking for 2 hours on the street outside, or free parking in the main car park for Palmer Park Sports Stadium which is a five minute walk away.
If you want to apply for an audition, then you can apply now online!