The Gatehouse website record for Reading Castle Hill

In the civil parish of Reading. In the historic county of Berkshire (Modern Authority of Reading, 1974 county of Berkshire).

The site of Reading Castle, said to have been demolished circa 1153 appears to be lost, but may have stood on the high ground called Castle Hill. (PastScape)
There was a castellle in the Saxons tyme in this towne: and the name of Castlelle-Streat yet remaynithe, lying from est to west to passe to Newbyri: but I could not percieve or clerely lerne wher it stoode. But by al lykelihod at the west-ende of the Castelle-Streat: and, as sum think, about the place of execution. (Leland)
Daniel and Samuel Lysons in their Magna Britannia published in 1806 state: “There can be little doubt, but that the old county gaol, in Castle Street, occupied the site of the castle; and the lancet windows and round arches, discovered upon pulling down the building in 1798 were part of the original structure.” (From readinglibraries.org.uk)
The masonry remains are unlikely to have been from a C12 castle but the location near the church and the tendency to maintain function at a specific site (the gaol), as well as the Castle Street name (of medieval origin), are evidence for this being the site of a castle.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SU709729

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 244923
Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of English Heritage and other individuals and organisations. All the sources given should be consulted to identify the original copyright holder and permission obtained from them before use of the information on this site for commercial purposes. I do not receive any income from this site and I fund it myself.
The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.
Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.

It is an offence to disturb a Scheduled Monument without consent. It is a destruction of everyone's heritage to remove archaeological evidence from any site without proper recording and reporting. Don't use metal detectors on historic sites without authorisation.

Please help me to make this as useful a resource as possible by contacting me if you see errors or if you can add information.
I do acknowledge the help I get with this site.