Cole Museum of Zoology

About

The Cole Museum of Zoology in Reading is a fascinating window into the diversity of the animal kingdom, shaped by more than a century of scientific curiosity. Founded in 1907 by Professor Francis J. Cole, a pioneering anatomist, the museum began as a teaching collection for the University of Reading. Cole’s passion for comparative anatomy led him to assemble thousands of specimens, many of which still form the core of the museum today. Among its most interesting highlights is the impressive skeleton of a five‑metre reticulated python, carefully articulated to show the extraordinary flexibility of its spine. Equally striking is the preserved elephant heart, a reminder of the scale and complexity of large mammals. The museum also houses rare specimens such as a quagga skeleton—one of the few remaining examples of this extinct zebra subspecies. The collection spans insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life, offering visitors a journey through evolution, adaptation, and biodiversity. Its displays emphasise scientific understanding rather than spectacle, staying true to Cole’s original educational mission.

Reading United Kingdom

Location

The Cole Museum of Zoology is located on the Whiteknights Campus of the University of Reading, in the town of Reading in southern England. You will find it inside the Health and Life Sciences building, just a short walk from the main campus lake and parkland. Founded in the early 20th century by Professor Francis Cole, the museum holds more than 3,500 specimens that trace the diversity of the animal kingdom, from tiny insects to a five-meter reticulated python skeleton and a mounted Indian elephant. Displays include taxidermy, skeletal mounts, fossils, and fluid-preserved specimens, all used for teaching and public learning. From the museum, the Whiteknights Campus itself is worth exploring. The parkland covers over 300 acres with a large lake, woodland trails, and gardens that are popular for walks year-round. A short bus or car ride takes you into Reading town center, where you can visit the Reading Museum and its full-size Victorian replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, or explore the ruins of Reading Abbey, founded in 1121. For green space, Forbury Gardens sits next to the Abbey ruins and offers lawns, a bandstand, and the Maiwand Lion statue. The River Thames and River Kennet meet in Reading, so riverside paths and boat trips are nearby. The Oracle shopping and dining complex lines the Kennet, making it easy to combine the museum with cafes, shops, and a walk along the water.