Forbury Gardens

Forbury Gardens is a delightful Victorian town garden, created at the height of the urban parks movement. The gardens have recently undergone major restoration. They are located between the town centre and the ruins of the 11th century abbey, not far from Reading Station.

The ornamental gardens have a wall around which provides a peaceful and tranquil retreat. Inside, there is a rose garden, subtropical and herbaceous borders, a fernery, and a pond with a fountain. 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 play, and the kiosk serves coffee, ice-creams and light lunches.

Award Winning Site

The gardens have been entered for three national competitions, and have, so far, won a Green Flag Award every year since re-opening, annual accreditation as a Green Heritage Site, the BALI award for Best Hard Landscaping in 2006, and Best Regional Park in the 2007 Britain in Bloom competition.

Article		Description
	Forbury Gardens Restoration	The Forbury Gardens restoration scheme was developed in consultation with interested groups and local residents.
	History of Forbury Gardens	The Forbury Gardens site has a long history as an area of open space, and its historical development is closely linked to the growth of Reading.

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File	Type	Size	Download Time
Forbury Gardens Management Plan	PDF	956 KB	56Kbps Modem: 4 Minutes Broadband : 19 Seconds