Come and enjoy the beauty and long history of Caversham's hidden gem, Caversham Court Gardens on the bank of the River Thames. Owned and cared for by Reading Borough Council with support from The Friends. Open and accessible to all every day except Christmas Day from 8 a.m. to dusk, entry freer.

View the lavender bank in summer with its brightly coloured nectar-rich flowers in bloom. Enjoy the magnificent trees of the riverside lawns. See the ancient family yew and the colourful flower borders.

Relax and enjoy the gardens to picnic with family and friends. Join in at one of the special events - arts, drama, music and children's activities -

Learn about the people who lived there. Those in the early rectory serving the parish church. Others in the now demolished Victorian mansion.

See the footprint of the house and a time line of its residents.

Enjoy tea, coffee or perhaps a slice of home-made cake from their award winning tea kiosk run by volunteers from several local charities.

See the riverside gazebo (or summerhouse) where tea was taken in the 17th Century.

Caversham Court Gardens: A Heritage Guide, written by the Friends of Caversham Court Gardens, has now been published by Two Rivers Press. The gardens, one of the hidden gems among Reading's parks and open spaces, were restored with Heritage Lottery Funding in 2008-9. The richly illustrated guide covers the history of the houses that stood on the site, the families who lived there and the development of the gardens through the ages.

The guide is the final part of the Caversham 100 Years On project, launched in 2011 to celebrate the local heritage. The project, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Caversham, the Caversham and District Residents Association and the Friends of Caversham Court Gardens, with support from Reading Borough Council, was awarded a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Caversham Court Gardens: A Heritage Guide, priced at £5, is available at Friends’ events in the gardens, from the Tea Kiosk, Fourbears Bookshop, Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading Museum shop, and from Two Rivers Press.