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• Managing Organisation:

  Reading Borough Council

• Contact:

  Ben Stanesby

• Telephone:

  0118 9399045 

• Website:

  Click here to visit website

• View Map:

  Click here for winner's location

Information about this open space

A delightful Victorian town garden, created at the height of the urban parks movement, Forbury Gardens has recently undergone major restoration. The gardens are located between the town centre and the ruins of the 11th century abbey. The ornamental gardens, with a rose garden, subtropical and herbaceous borders, a fernery, and a pond with a fountain, are surrounded by a wall and shrubberies, which provides a peaceful and tranquil retreat. Up to 50,000 bedding plants are set out each year. The gardens have many outstanding trees, including an old mulberry, a tulip tree, a handkerchief tree, and a lime avenue. There is a bandstand, and bands play every weekend in the summer. The Forbury Gardens is home to the famous Maiwand Lion statue. Although there are no formal children’s facilities, the gardens are wonderful for exploratory play, and the kiosk serves coffee, ice-creams and light lunches. The simplicity of the adjoining ruins of Reading Abbey provide a peaceful place to read or talk. The Abbey was established in 1121, rising in prominence to become the sixth largest establishment in England. The ruins are a scheduled ancient monument, and the interpretation boards explain the rich history of the site.