The Milton Abbas Reading Room occupies the centre portion of the Tregonwell Almshouses in the centre of the picturesque village of thatched cottages. The Almshouses are a special architectural feature of the village, sited as they are in the centre, opposite St James Church and are a focal point for visitors and tourists alike. The building has important connections with the past as it was originally constructed in the old town of Middleton c1674 and moved to its present site in 1779.

Lord Milton's arms hang over the Reading room with the inscription "Haec Sedes Senectutis Reaedificata est" which translated reads "This building was erected for the use of old people", not necessarily the case today. Extensive modernisation was carried out in 1955 providing four alms house dwellings and a central meeting room. Later on local groups raised funds to improve and modernise the reading rooms so that local societies, committees and clubs could have somewhere to hold their regular meetings.

Today the Reading Room offers a most attractive venue for meetings and private functions. In addition to the main room which is centrally heated and seats 45/50, the facilities now include a well equipped kitchen (with cooker, crockery, cutlery etc), modern toilet facilities, storage rooms with cupboard space for all regular user groups. The upstairs storage room can also be used as a small committee room.

The Reading Room is run by a small group of local volunteers on a non-profit making basis. As well as doing its own fund raising the Committee has received shares from the biannual Street Fair and is therefore able to offer very low all inclusive hire charges, to local groups, clubs and committees (see hire charges below). The current regular users include:- Play Group, Art Group, Quilters, Womens Group, Whist club, Beekeepers, and the Parish Council. Other less frequent users are:- The Middleton Players, MATCH, M.A. Surgery, Jubilee Committee, and The National Trust. The room also offers a most attractive venue for private functions. The management committee comprises a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Bookings Officer and representatives of each regular user group. This committee meets twice a year.
The current Hire Charges (applicable 2002) are as shown below. For further information, including availability and bookings please contact Mrs Anthe Battrick,The Coach House, Milton Manor, Milton Abbas 881260.

HIRE CHARGES