Forbury Gardens

A Victorian public garden featuring the Maiwand Lion monument and formal flower beds, located next to Reading Abbey ruins. This 11-acre park provides green space in the town centre with mature trees, seasonal displays, and regular outdoor events including summer concerts and winter markets. At 30-45 minutes and free entry, it works well slotted between larger visits rather than as a standalone destination.

Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 30-45 minutes Best for: relax in well Skip if: You're seeking wild nature or have mobility issues with gravel paths Cost: Free

You walk along gravel paths between formal flower beds and under mature plane trees, approaching the imposing 31-foot Maiwand Lion statue. Benches throughout the gardens offer views of both the monument and the nearby abbey ruins through the trees.

Accessibility: Main paths are firm gravel suitable for wheelchairs, though some areas have grass slopes

Relax in well-maintained Victorian gardens while viewing an impressive war memorial and enjoying town centre green space. It is not the first thing you should see in Reading, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Reading Abbey Ruins and Reading Museum - add it before or after without rearranging your day. Afternoon tends to work best here. Free entry makes the decision easy - walk in, see if it holds your attention, and leave when you have had enough.

Skip if: You're seeking wild nature or have mobility issues with gravel paths

• The bandstand hosts free concerts on Sunday afternoons in summer.
• Benches near the lion offer the best views for photos.
• Public toilets available at the Forbury Road entrance.

Insider tip: The garden's original Victorian layout remains unchanged, making it one of England's best-preserved 19th-century public parks

The Maiwand Lion photographs well from the southwest corner. Spring bulbs and autumn colors provide seasonal interest.