Reading Old Cemetery is beautiful example of a Victorian Garden Cemetery which opened in 1843. The site is literally sandwiched between two very busy main roads and as such it provides a vital green lung and a valuable wildlife oasis in what is otherwise a very urban part of East Reading.
The cemetery contains 4.7 hectares of semi-improved and unimproved grassland – with two areas are managed as wildflower meadows. These areas contain a good range of fine leaved grasses and flowering plants including Oxeye daisy , Ladies-bedstraw, Germander Speedwell, Yarrow, Bulbous Buttercup, Knapweed and Yellow rattle. The best time to see these meadow areas in full bloom and buzzing with wildlife is between April and September.
The site also contains several stunning, mature specimen trees that date back to the original planting by of the site by Sutton Seeds Ltd during the Victorian era. Six of these trees are listed on The Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory.
The site is a haven for a range of wildlife – ranging from butterflies, moths, bees and other invertebrates. There is a good variety of birds and bats plus other species typically associated with older burial grounds such as mosses, lichens and fungi. We also have a small population of Muntjac deer that are very popular with the local community!
A group of volunteers (called Econet’s Friends of Reading Old Cemetery) help to manage the site and to enhance the biodiversity it contains. The group run regular work parties, guided walks and family open days at the site throughout the year.
Key Features
- Wildflower areas
- Peaceful space for quiet reflection
- Wildlife haven
- Great for fungi
- Memorials with famous or infamous connections
- Birders paradise
- Stones with stories
- Fascinating monuments
- Good accessibility (in some areas of the site)
Reading Old Cemetery
London Road,
Reading
RG1 4LS
Visitor Information
Summer opening hours – 8.00 am – 8.00 pm
Winter opening hours – 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Contact details
Teresa Verney-Brookes (The Friends of Reading Old Cemetery). Email: [email protected]
Accessibility
There is level access to the main tarmac driveway. Most of the other paths throughout the site are a mixture of grass, tarmac and woodchip.
Information
There are several small noticeboards at the site which focus on the wildlife found at the site.
Toilets
There are currently no toilets on site. Toilets, including those accessible for wheelchairs, can be found in the public house (The Hope & Bear) opposite the site plus other large cafes nearby.
Seating
There is one bench which has a back and arm rest which offers a lovely view of the site.
Parking & Transport
Very limited car parking on site – but lots of 2 hour parking in the roads which neighbour the site.
There is an excellent bus service to the site – the nearest bus stop is ‘Cemetery Junction’. Buses also run on a regular basis to the site from Reading train station.
Café
There are lots of independent cafes in the area surrounding the site. There are also plans to eventually have a small café within the site.
