Repairs and conservation work planned for Caversham Court Gardens

Caversham Court Gardens on the River Thames in Reading is over 800 years old. The council has now given the go-ahead for a big repair job. This will fix and protect some of the old buildings and walls in the gardens.

What will be fixed

• New gates - The main gates at the entrance on Church Road will be replaced. The old ones were damaged in a car accident in October 2025. The new gates will be made of oak, like the old ones.
• The gazebo - The 17th century gazebo was built so people could enjoy the view of the river. Workers will repair its wooden frame and repaint it.
• The causeway - This is the raised path that leads to the gazebo. It needs some structural repair work.
• The stable block - The old stable building and its courtyard wall will be rebuilt.
• The boundary wall - Part of the wall on the east side of the gardens fell down in July 2024. Since then, fencing and props have kept people safe while it waited to be fixed. Once it's repaired, a footpath that had to close will open again.

All the repair work will be done carefully, using traditional hand tools. Any new materials used must match the old ones exactly.

Councillor Jacopo Lanzoni, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture said

“Caversham Court Gardens is a much-loved riverside space which attracts many visitors for its beauty and history.

“These repairs and conservation works are essential to ensure the buildings and structures are kept in good condition. The installation of new oak double gates at the main entrance will also be very welcome.

“Maintaining the buildings in a good state of repair will mean that residents and visitors to Reading will be able to enjoy these beautiful gardens for many years to come.”

The council will now look for a specialist company to do the work. If all goes to plan, the repairs should start in autumn this year.