Published: Thursday, 28th August, 2008 09:00
Historic gardens close for winter revamp
By Annabel Williams
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CAVERSHAM Court Gardens are closing over the autumn and winter and will re-emerge with a new look in late spring.
The project to restore the Thameside Grade II-listed green space starts on Monday, thanks to a £1.3million Heritage Lottery Fund grant and cash from Reading Borough Council.
Archaeologists, specialist restorers and landscape contractors will be on the site, off Church Road, meaning the gardens must close for the duration of the work.
Allotment holders will still be able to get to their plots from The Warren, and the council says some trees will have to be removed during the work, to be replaced with cherry and oak trees.
Features from the 17th and 19th centuries in the garden will be restored, including the gazebo, believed to be the oldest surviving Thameside building, its causeway, a crinkle-crankle (curving) retaining wall and an ancient family of yew trees.
The position of the medieval and 19th century houses which were formerly on the site will be outlined in bricks in the ground, providing a place for seating and a focal point for a nearby terrace.
The toilet block will be remodelled to include two public toilets and baby-changing facilities, and a kiosk and seating area will be created for serving teas.
Cllr Graeme Hoskin, borough culture and sport leader, said: “This is a fantastic project that will give a magnificent makeover to one of the jewels in Reading’s heritage crown.
“With the restoration of the Forbury Gardens and the Simeon Monument completed, the King George V Gardens in Eldon Square nearly finished and now Caversham Court coming shortly, we really are seeing our town’s heritage being cherished and passed on to future generations with the love and care it deserves.”
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