These are all playgrounds or areas to walk actually in Caversham. In our 'Find Out More' section there are various useful books and maps for the (slightly) more adventurous walker ... including pub-themed strolls.

» Parks
» Playgrounds (And Similar)

Latest Update: Westfield Road entry.

Parks

Balmore Walk - is a longish stretch of wood and grassland on the hill above Hemdean Road. There's entrances from Rotherfield Way (a cycle path runs along the crest of the hill here), Hemdean Road (a steep cutting, and beware of the legacy of thoughtless dog owners), the Ridgeway, and up a set of steps behind Balmore Park Surgery. The view at the top is impressive, covering most of central Reading, and the woodland and meadow is decidedly dog-friendly (yes, there are dog bins). The area has an unhappy history - in April 1643, Royalist troops retreated up the hill following their failure to capture Caversham Bridge, many losing their lives in the process.

Bugs Bottom - often, and with justification, cited as a local monument to residential over-development in the 1990s, the splendidly named Bugs Bottom (its 'official' name is Hemdean Bottom) nonetheless offers some decent walking. Follow along Hemdean Road to the north east, past roads such as Sheridan Avenue. The road soon peters out into a footpath, running through the dip of a grassy valley. It's a good place for flying kites, and strangely quiet at weekends (everyone's gone to the Oracle). It's also accessible from the north via Gravel Hill.

Caversham Court - officially, this is the only public garden (as opposed to meadow or woodland) that runs along the bank of the Thames in Reading. The gardens and lawns can be entered via St. Peter's Hill. (There's some limited car parking near to the St Peter's church rectory).

Christchurch Meadows - the long, slightly tame, meadow that runs between Caversham Bridge and Reading Bridge. Having said that, it offers a pleasant riverside walk (buggies compete with cyclists along the way) and a range of amenities.

Clayfield Copse and Blackhouse Wood - originally part of Caversham Park, this large expanse of local fields and woodland can be entered via the car park off Caversham Park Village Road. Designated as a nature reserve (there's a bat colony amongst other things), you'll find little in the way of amenities here - and the woods are all the better for it. The local Friends of Clayfield Copse (FOCC) are active in helping maintain the woodland.

Mapledurham Playing Fields - the large council-owned playing fields that lie off the Woodcote Road. Surprisingly expansive, and surrounded by a thinnish sward of well maintained woodland. If you're a dog-owner living within walking distance of the fields, then this will be the place to gravitate to. The pavilion lays claim to being the ugliest building in Caversham (sadly as a result of determined and persistent vandalism).

Playgrounds (And Similar)

Albert Road (Caversham Heights) - on the junction of Richmond Road and Albert Road. A busy recreation area with good play facilities, popular with families with young children. The recreation ground also includes public tennis courts (no need to book) and a games pitch.

Caversham Park - on the east side of Caversham Park Road towards the top of the road there are various pitches, tennies courts etc, and also a (very welcome) skateboard / BMX area.

Christchurch Meadows (Lower Caversham) - the recreation area forms part of the larger park by the river, and lies to the east of the playing fields there (close to Reading Bridge). Along with public tennis courts, there's also a paddling / boating pool.

George Street (Lower Caversham) - has well used skateboard / BMX facility on the edge of the car park by the river, larger (?better) than the one off Caversham Park Village road.

Mapledurham Playing Fields (Caversham Heights) - accessible via a couple of pedestrian entrances in Chazey Road and via its main entrance off Upper Woodcote Road (where there's a car park). The playground is rather bizarrely situated in the middle of the playing fields - good play facilities (the aerial ropeway is recommended) and, perhaps because of its location, never very busy.

Westfield Road (Lower Caversham) - a small recreation ground that lies between Gosbrook Road and Westfield Road. The recreation ground was given a revamp in 2004, and now has an extended play area as well as a range of other improvements. Following incursions by travellers, discreet fencing was placed round the site in early 2009. This is also the site of the Caversham Festival, which takes place in alternate years. The next festival is scheduled for 2010.