The History of Forbury Gardens, Reading
Forbury Gardens is a much-loved part of Reading and has been the backdrop to many important events in the town, from at least 871 when the Danes camped there. Among its many associations – Reading Abbey, the English Civil War, Reading School, Jane Austen and now the Maiwand Lion. For many years after the Reformation, this was where Reading’s annual fair was held. Now listed as Grade II in the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens; it has many hidden stories to tell.
This is the first of three talks in the “Berkshire Heritage” Talks Series. The other talks take place on 18th February and the 18th March. You may book tickets for any talk individually or for all three in the series for a reduced price.
Please note the Centre’s face-to-face talks are now held at Reading’s Abbey Baptist Church. The full address of the church is given to the right. The venue has disabled access and a disabled toilet. The talk begins at the slightly later time than previously of 2.30pm.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available (included in the price). Pre-booking is preferred, but you can pay on the door, if there are spaces available.
Image above (cropped): Andrew Smith / Forbury Gardens, Reading / CC BY-SA 2.0
Location image (cropped): Abbey Church – Gazamp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To book, scroll down.
- Thu 21 Jan 2027
- 14:30 - 15:45
Tickets
- £5.00
- Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BE
Category
Organiser
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The Family Research Centre
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Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/local-teams/
Speaker
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Joy PibworthJoy has always been fascinated by history and is particularly interested in the history of the towns and villages of the former North Berkshire (now the Vale of the White Horse) and the history of Reading pre 1837. She is a long-standing member of several local history societies. Joy has been a Janeite (Jane Austen fan) since her school days and is particularly interested in the life and times of Jane and her immediate family.