Kings Meadow and the Coal Woodland

Map

Address

Napier Road, Reading, RG1 8DF

Facilities

Fishing

Children’s play area

Football

Rugby

Accessibility

Mooring

Parking

Restrictions

n/a

About

Kings Meadow is a large open space with a pleasant walk along the towpath between Reading Bridge and Kennet Mouth. A popular picnic site, the area features groups of mature trees and willow beds. However, the park is susceptible to flooding during the winter. The Coal woodland is at the eastern end of the Reading section of the Thames corridor, it is a wooded area raised out of the flood plain, and it starts immediately adjacent to the foot of Horseshoe Bridge at Kennet mouth. There is a towpath between the woodland and the river bank, and a small area of open space adjacent to the river which extends beyond the towpath and into the river. The woodland separates a Tesco superstore and car park from the river. In the northwest corner of the Kings Meadow is an old Victorian river-fed bathing station. Opposite this is an island and river lock, which is owned by the Environment Agency. The playing fields are used by football clubs throughout the season, although fixtures may be disrupted by flooding. In summer there is Gaelic football, and various events are staged throughout the year including Reading’s annual beer festival. Car parking is available in the south-west corner on Napier Road.