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Opening times The gardens are open to the public every day, except Christmas Day, 8am to dusk. The gazebo and vaults are open when a gardener is on site. Special events are sometimes held as well. Getting here and general information View Larger Map The gardens are located on Church Road (A4074), about half a mile from Caversham Bridge. The main entrance is between St Peter's Church and The Griffin pub.
Parking is limited nearby - your best bet is on The Warren - but there is disabled parking at the main gates in Church Road, from where there is wheelchair access to and around Caversham Court including the disabled toilets. There is a bike rack inside the main gates. Buses 22, 24, 27, X39/X40 all stop on Bridge Street near Caversham Bridge, a short distance away. Dogs are welcome but on a lead, please. Bring a picnic, but please do not light barbecues! Facilities The Tea Kiosk, in a converted Arts and Crafts building, sells teas, coffee and cakes in aid of local charities. It is open this year, from 18 March to 4 November, on Tuesdays to Sundays, and on Bank Holidays, from 11am to 5pm. In the summer months of June to August it will be open until 6pm. There are also toilets/disabled toilets, with baby changing facilities. Let us show you around Volunteers from the Friends of Caversham Court Gardens are available to take groups around the gardens to talk about the history of the site and about the garden. If you would like to arrange a group tour, or for a speaker to come to your meeting, please contact the Friends. First Sundays Volunteer guides will be on hand on the first Sundays from April to October between 2.30 and 5.00 pm to answer questions and to offer informal tours. Schools groups Please contact the head gardener, Emily Waters Email: Emily.Waters@reading.gov.uk or telephone: 0118 9478930 More information
You can download Reading Borough Council information leaflets to bring with you. They include:
Leaflets are also available at the Tea Kiosk when it is open and from the Head Gardener when she is on site. |
In season
January Snowdrops under the yew family February March April May Nepeta - flowering under the yew hedge on the long walk - the blue flowers are beloved by bees. The nerines in the same bed are looking promising - they should make a lovely show of colour in the late summer.
Roses should be in full flower. It is hoped to have flamboyant bedding plants in the vinery - reminiscent of a recreational greenhouse in a wealthy Victorian household. Grape vines are growing up the trellising erected over the vinery. Look for Acanthus in the west border and the allium in the east herbaceous border. The Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora Japonica) flowers – look for it between the Magnolia and the Tea Kiosk. 
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