Forbury Gardens
Forbury Gardens
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
356 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
155
Average
51
Poor
9
Terrible
12
IanTravller M
Reading, UK40 contributions
Oct 2022
A formal garden laid out in what was the outer court yard of Reading Abbey. Benches available for sitting and there are toilets and a place to buy drinks.
Events are held sometimes. Access to Reading Abbey Ruins from the garden.
Events are held sometimes. Access to Reading Abbey Ruins from the garden.
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarltonA10
Stoke Poges, UK444 contributions
Nov 2021
I combined a visit to the Abbey Ruins with a walk through this area. It is a relaxing public space with some interesting features. There is a civil war defensive mound as well as a splendid memorial to those who fell in a 19th century conflict in Afghanistan.
Written November 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnthonyandAna
Berkshire, UK184 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
There may be cynical people out there but the council are trying hard with the ice rink and associated attractions. Nice place to take the family but avoid weekends when it versus.
Written December 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsMartin2014
2 contributions
Dec 2014
If you want to pay £11 to skate on ice like sardines in a tin then it's great but don't expect to enjoy a reasonably priced, good quantity of food after! A hotdog that consists of half a roll for a fiver! £3.50 PER game of hook a duck! Bad set up, rude staff on rides and hook a duck. The only thing that was nice was the location. WILL NOT BE VISITING AGAIN!
Written December 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
royalsandreds
Reading, England19 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
On entering Forbury Gardens, you will see placards dotted around the edge, giving you information about the gardens and Reading Abbey etc. You need to imagine that on entering you are standing inside a huge Abbey, a placard will show you how big and high it was. To get a real feel of the size, go into Reading Museum which is about a 2 minute walk away, where there is a lot more information.
Standing inside the Forbury Gardens (once the Abbey), you will be able to see a cross, which is the burial place of Henry I, who founded the Abbey back in 1121. Also you can see the Gatehouse, where in the upper part, Jane Austen went to school. Also from inside the gardens you can see Reading Gaol (Jail) where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned and wrote one of his most famous pieces.
Other Royalty to visit the Abbey before it was torn down in 1538 by Henry VIII, included Henry II, Henry III and Edward IV.
There are still some remains left of the Abbey in two of the corners at the jail end. Also the Gatehouse and the Hospitium (founded 1189), which was used to house The Abbey School (founded 1125), which then moved into the hospitium in 1485 as the Royal Grammar School of King Henry VII. The abbey school still survives in the form of Reading School in a different part of town.
There is a lot more history to Forbury Gardens which I will leave you to find out when you visit.
It is definitely worth it!
Standing inside the Forbury Gardens (once the Abbey), you will be able to see a cross, which is the burial place of Henry I, who founded the Abbey back in 1121. Also you can see the Gatehouse, where in the upper part, Jane Austen went to school. Also from inside the gardens you can see Reading Gaol (Jail) where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned and wrote one of his most famous pieces.
Other Royalty to visit the Abbey before it was torn down in 1538 by Henry VIII, included Henry II, Henry III and Edward IV.
There are still some remains left of the Abbey in two of the corners at the jail end. Also the Gatehouse and the Hospitium (founded 1189), which was used to house The Abbey School (founded 1125), which then moved into the hospitium in 1485 as the Royal Grammar School of King Henry VII. The abbey school still survives in the form of Reading School in a different part of town.
There is a lot more history to Forbury Gardens which I will leave you to find out when you visit.
It is definitely worth it!
Written January 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PerfumeMum
Reading, UK8 contributions
Dec 2015
I visited the Winter Wonderland yesterday.
I am reviewing only this event and not about the park itself (the park is really nice).
I have to say I was disappointed. Reading is a city (though not officially) and I had expected more from this event but it was just a funfair with the addition of a beautiful ice rink.
I had hoped for a Christmas market as well but no, only basic food stalls that one would find in fairgrounds.
I hope Reading Borough Council will bring the Christmas markets to Reading next year rather than my having to travel further afield like Bath or Winchester.
I am reviewing only this event and not about the park itself (the park is really nice).
I have to say I was disappointed. Reading is a city (though not officially) and I had expected more from this event but it was just a funfair with the addition of a beautiful ice rink.
I had hoped for a Christmas market as well but no, only basic food stalls that one would find in fairgrounds.
I hope Reading Borough Council will bring the Christmas markets to Reading next year rather than my having to travel further afield like Bath or Winchester.
Written December 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
belinhasinha86
Paraty, RJ10 contributions
Jul 2015
It is always clean and well maintained. On weekends always have some attraction on the bandstand. Good for children and old people.
Written November 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael J
Caversham, UK374 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
We love Forbury Gardens and we come here often, so naturally we thought the Ice Skating would be worth a visit. Never again, a complete rip off. The ice is not even smooth and you end nearly falling because of the large dips, you even have to pay extra for the Child Skate supports on top of your £40 family ticket, and if thats not enough you can even pay £30 for a Chapersone in case you trip up on the large dips in the ice. Squeezed into the Marquee its quite a rush and you have to be careful not to get squashed. The benches you sit on the change are deadly because these are not secured and are so unstable you can fall back. We skated the friday before @ Somerset House in London and that was brilliant, well organisaed and cheaper and better quality and in a wonderful setting, plus the rink was much larger, and you get to look in the beautiful surroundings of Somerset house, here you get to look around and get ripped off skating, ripped off on the fair rides (£3.50 per ride per person), food and drink charged at extorniate rates, we chose not to spend anything more. You also get arrogant people serving you who are busy talking on their phone and put their hands out expecting money from you. If they had any manners they wwould at least acknowledge you and hear what you are asking. Rubbish and dont even bother its a waste of time and money grabbing. Reading Borough have done well to allow this but kindly look again at some things please.
Written December 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan L
4 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Forbury Gardens is a great place to visit, especially during the summer months when the flowers are blooming and events like the Frech food festival for Bastille day (although the Christmas fair is also a nice experience). Forbury Gardens is easy to get to (being in the town centre) but a quiet and relaxing place with various different areas of seating - the band stand, Forbury Hill, the water fountain, the flower garden and more. I have spent a lot of time in Forbury Gardens and have a lot more sunny days there to come!
Written July 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew T
Farnborough, UK119 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Nicely kept and looking gardens and green space in the middle of town. Cafe with drinks and snacks too. Plenty of benches and occasional food festivals.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, I have walked my dog in the Gardens.
Written July 15, 2018
npionrogers
Gloucester, United Kingdom
what is there to do around this time of year?
Written October 8, 2017
At Forbury Gardens? It's a public garden, so just walk around and enjoy its beauty. If you want specific tips about other bits of Reading, feel free to ask - I live here.
Written October 9, 2017
Could you please recommend the best place to park for the Gardens.
Written December 20, 2015
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