FORBURY GARDENS

The public park of Forbury is listed amongst the safe and most accessible places to visit in Reading. At the park, you might find some recreational events like concerts and fairs happening quite often, which you can join as well. The place holds a historical significance as here are located the important statues of the Maiwand Lion which is a war symbol that commemorates the martyrdom of soldiers of Berkshire in the Battle of Maiwand.

The Forbury Gardens in the English county of Berkshire is a public park located in the outer court of Reading Abbey and has been listed as the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The gardens were built in 1869 when an area of 12 acres around the Reading Abbey’s water meadows by the River Thames was converted into a recreation ground. The garden has a 31-foot black coloured statue of a lion which was erected in December 1886 as a symbol of war and memorial.

It got its name from the infamous Battle of Maiwand, to commemorate the martyrdom of 66 soldiers of Berkshire county. The gardens got another statue in 2015 in the honour of Trooper Fred Potts VC, an English recipient of the Victoria Cross after his martyrdom at the Battle of Scimitar Hill. At the park, organised summer concerts and other recreational programmes by the Reading Borough Council take place during the months of July and August. 

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Highlights

• Take an evening stroll around the large park of Forbury which is spread over an area of 12 acres. 
• In the park you’d find historically important statues like the Maiwand Lion and of Trooper Fred Potts VC. These statues were installed to commemorate the martyrdom of soldiers of Berkshire. 
• The park is surrounded by places of historical importance in the Abbey Quarter, take a historical tour of the Abbey after going around the park.