Park Life

Caversham - Christchurch Gardens' Park

and a boat ride.

I was catapulted back to my childhood yesterday when I visited Christchurch gardens with my children, aunt, cousin and grandma yesterday. My parents would take my siblings and I here when we were small. Compared to the parks in South Oxfordshire we frequent it seemed impossibly busy. Despite my anxiety the children, particularly my son, LOVED it here. He was in the pool for perhaps two hours.

From Didcot Caversham is ridiculously easy to get to, and quick, taking only 25 minutes. Drive down the A4074, passed Woodcote, through Mapledurham and towards Reading. Go over the bridge, take a right at the first roundabout immediately over the bridge, take a right as though you were going into the Crowne Plaza hotel car park - the car park is signposted very clearly and is on the right, parallel to the river. You get two hours free parking. Additional car parking is cheap here, I paid only £1.50 for three additional hours. I consider £1.50 for 5 hours parking a bit of a bargain! There is a car park closer to Christchurch Gardens but you only get 2 hours free parking and if you want more you must pay £7.00 for the whole day, so I consider the mile you have to walk besides the river to be worth it.

Find this park on the google map I made for you.

So, to get to the park: walk under Caversham bridge - you will be heading down river. The George Street Bridge will soon come into view. You don't need to cross any busy roads - you can walk through the giant Thames Water building's car park then over the bridge.

There is a bit of building work going on at the moment but the pool and park is still open. The park is not like Wallingford's and Abingdon's though, it is just a paddling pool. It was possible to smell the chlorine which was actually comforting:)

There is a loo. It isn't nice, of course, but better than nothing!

Pictures:

None of the pool - I didn't fancy sticking up pictures of 50 half naked kids who aren't mine!

This is Fry's Island. Walk by this.

Cross this bridge to the north side.

My children spent ages playing with the bucket (above).

Equipment for smaller children

and bigger children,

These swings appear to be able to accommodate disabled children.

Nearby

Forbury gardens (from this park, walk south into Reading, cross the roundabout, walk over the bridge over the railway and turn left. The gardens are practically in front of you.

Blakes Lock is really close to Toys R Us. Or, you could walk along the Kennet and Avon River which runs behind the Oracle.

The Reading Museum has loads of stuff in, including a full sized replica of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Caversham Court Gardens is on the north side of Caversham bridge, on St Peter's Hill.

Mapledurham House signposted off the main A4074 road, open Saturdays and Sundays.