Reading Old - A 'Garden Cemetery'

Reading Old, which opened in 1843, is one of the earliest examples of a Garden Cemetery; here in the UK. This event, which is run by volunteers from Econet Friends of Reading Old group and will include a series of guided walks and talks that will focus on the history and background of the garden cemetery movement plus look at some of the specimen trees which were part of the original planting of the site during the Victorian era by Sutton Seeds Ltd. As with other cemeteries and churchyards, the grassland within the site is of high ecological importance and there will be guided walks to look at the two areas that are being managed as flower rich meadows and other conservation measures that are undertaken by the Friends of Group to help enhance the nature and wildlife value of the site.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 08 September:

1300 - 1530

Location & directions

Reading Old Cemetery, London Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3AQ

Directions:

There is very limited parking at the site. Many of the surrounding roads have free 2 hour parking and the site is well served by Reading Buses - including the number 17 and buses to and from Woodley and Bracknel. The bus stop is called 'Cemetery Junction'

Contact on day:

Teresa Verney-Brookes

Telephone number:

+447960914859

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Book on day

Booking conditions:

Please book on your preferred walk/talk on the day

Accessibility details

Although the main central path of the site is suitable for wheelchairs and push chairs, many of the other paths are very narrow and undulating due to tree roots etc. There are no toilets on site - but there are public toilets opposite the site plus lots of cafes and a public house nearby which have customer toilets.

Additional information

As well as being Outdoors and nature this event also covers aspects of local and national history

Max no of people per tour:

15

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results