During the period 1979-1986, a major redevelopment of Reading town centre allowed a series of excavations at the waterfront, which was the heart of urban development in medieval period due to the influence of the nearby Abbey. The excavations uncovered substantial evidence for the construction, repeated refurbishment and use of waterfront structures which included hards, wooden revetments, wharfs and associated buildings spanning the medieval period. The report details these finds, and includes a dendrochronological study from the recovery of over 100 timbers as well as a documentary study of the history of the Reading waterfronts.