OPENING TIMES
Access to the gardens is free. They are open every day, except Christmas Day, 8 a.m. to dusk. The gazebo and vaults are open when a gardener is on site. Special events are sometimes held as well.
The gardens have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Site status each year since their refurbishment in 2009, most recently in July 2023.
The Green Flag Award is given where a park is seen to be welcoming, healthy, safe and secure and well-maintained. Green Heritage status signifies that the gardens promote the value of and best practice in the care and upkeep of an historic site.
GETTING TO THE GARDENS
The gardens (RG4 7AD) are located on Church Road (A4074) about 300 metres from Caversham Bridge. The main entrance is between St Peter's Church and The Griffin pub (see Google map below)
Parking is limited nearby - your best bet is on The Warren - but there is disabled parking at the main gate in Church Road, from which 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, 28, X40, 800 and 40C all stop on Bridge Street near Caversham Bridge, a short distance away.
We ask that you respect these historic gardens:-
dogs are welcome but on a lead, please
please use the bike rack, no cycling allowed
bring a picnic, but please do not light a barbecue
no loud music or ball games
FACILITIES
The Tea Kiosk is now closed for the winter but will re-open on Friday 28 March (11.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.) in advance of Mothering Sunday. It is open thereafter Wednesday to Sunday (same hours), weather permitting.
There are disabled toilets, with baby changing facilities.
We are sorry to inform you that the footpath and the ramp to the Tea Kiosk have been fenced off while work is done on the flint wall and the ceiling of the vinery vaults. We regret that this will inconvenience our disabled visitors and others who use the ramp rather than the steps down to the lawns, Tea Kiosk and toilets.
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 gardens. If you would like to arrange a group tour or for a speaker to come to your meeting please contact The Friends - friends@fccg.org.uk. We also offer special sensory tours for the sight and hearing impaired and their carers.
ILLUSTRATED TALKS
Our volunteers can also provide illustrated presentations on the history of the gardens and related topics.
From the home of Augustinian friars in the 12th century to a country club in the 20th century, the land known as Caversham Court Gardens has a long recorded history. In between came litigious money lenders, travelling antiquarians and bankers and brewers with an eye for profitable business. Speakers from The Friends can offer a fully illustrated talk about the research which aids our understanding of the families, the houses they lived in and the gardens they planted.
If your group would like such a talk please contact us at the friends@fccg.org.uk
SCHOOL GROUPS
Please contact the Head Gardener through the Parks Department (Mail.Parks@reading.gov.uk) or drop a letter into the postbox on the stable yard. The friends can also offer a number of workshops on environmental and historical topics: e-mail friends@fccg.org.uk for further information.