North Reading

To reach the north part of Reading it is necessary to cross over the River Thames using one of the two bridges. Caversham Bridge which was rebuilt in 1926 will take you into the part of Reading known as Caversham, which was originally a village on the north bank of the River Thames. Reading Bridge, opened in 1923, takes you into Lower Caversham passing what was once water meadows which provided a livelihood for many farmers. Historians have written that Caversham Bridge was the scene of a ‘sharp exchange’ during the Civil War in 1643 and was specifically mentioned during the trial of Charles I. Although there have been boat-builders and ferrymen all seeking a living around the River Thames before the bridges were constructed, there are still boatyards in Caversham, but they don't have the importance they once did.



One of the most notable landmarks in the north of Reading is Caversham Park where, on this particular site, there have been a number of mansions but unfortunately they were susceptible to fires. The originally house which stood on this site had as its resident and prisoner Charles I, albeit for a short time. Even though the present house was built after its predecessor had burnt down in 1850, it too had another fire in 1926.

Subsequently the house was used as a school before finally becoming the home of the BBC World Monitoring Station in 1942 which was in fact the first place in the UK to receive news of Germany's surrender in May 1945. It is also now the home of Radio Berkshire.

Caversham Court is a listed English Heritage Garden considered to be of national importance and has been successful in securing funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its restoration. The main attraction is its garden with historic features such as the riverside gazebo and ancient yew, together with its attractive riverside position.

PROPERTY TO BUY AND RENT

The attraction of good schools, one of which is the highly regarded public school ‘Queen Anne’s School for Girls’, a village atmosphere with good facilities, and well established residential areas such as Caversham Heights with lovely Edwardian, Victorian and 1930’s properties both for sale and to rent, make it one of the most sought after areas of Reading.

The range of properties to buy is extensive. For those with a budget around £600,000 up to £1m there are five and six bedroom properties in Caversham Heights and Upper Caversham. If the budget is in the £350,000 to £600,000 price range the choice of properties range from Victorian, Edwardian and 1930’s traditional detached and large semi-detached houses with usually three or four bedrooms.

However, new apartments with two and three bedrooms, some of which are converted larger properties, are in fact commanding the same asking price as houses with equivalent bedrooms. The same applies to two bedroom terrace or semi-detached properties where the asking price can be anything from around £200,000 up to £325,000. The first time buyer or ‘starter home’ market is also catered for in Caversham where a one bedroom apartment or studio flat can be found with an asking price of around £150,000.

To rent a property in the north of Reading either in Caversham Heights, Caversham Village or Lower Caversham there is a wide choice offering both newly built apartment complexes or period property conversions, and also traditional properties suitable for a family. Houses either furnished or unfurnished with three or four bedrooms are being offered to the market for between £900 pcm and £1,800 pcm depending upon the location and type of property i.e. detached, semi-detached or terrace.

An apartment with two bedrooms in an exclusive development can command a rent of £2,200 pcm but on average will be in the region of £750 pcm to £1,200 pcm. In fact a two bedroom house can be rented for between £825 and £1,100 which is comparable with that of a two bedroom apartment. The lower end of the market is also catered for with one bedroom properties to rent for £550 pcm rising to £695 pcm and there are a number of house shares for between £375 pcm and £450 pcm.

This area of Reading would require very close scrutiny if it was to be considered by the buy-to-let investor or indeed a property developer looking either to sell or let.

RESTAURANTS AND PUBS

Caversham has an excellent variety of eateries where lunch or dinner is served to suit most people’s taste and pocket. There are takeaways such as the traditional fish ‘n’ chip shops such as the ‘Ready Tasty’ in Henley Road and the Chinese takeaway opposite Waitrose in the centre of Caversham. If the preference is for a Chinese takeaway there is the ‘Pekin Palace, however, there is also a pizza takeaway which is very popular called the ‘Geezers’.

For those wishing to have a night out and a break from cooking Caversham can offer a real cosmopolitan choice of restaurants. For example, the Peking Palace for Chinese, the Picasso Tapas Bar on Bridge Street for a taste of Spain; the Kyrenia restaurant in Prospect Street offers a Greek experience, the Italian restaurant Nino's on Prospect Street will not disappoint, and also at the top of Caversham Park Village an Indian meal can be enjoyed at the Raj Tandoori.

Pubs in the area also offer another choice for lunch or dinner and good traditional meals, along with real ale, can be found in The Griffin. However, The Standard offers something different with its long menu of Nepalese dishes and appears to be well patronised.

RETAIL

Caversham in the north of Reading has a village feel about it and whether you're doing your weekly shop, or shopping for something special there is a very wide variety of shops selling crafts, gifts, jewellery, sports equipment, shoes, just for starters. Waitrose supermarket has been established here for a number of years but a family butcher and delicatessen are close by offering the shopper an alternative. Flowers, cards, photographs, a haircut, bank, accountant, estate agent, what else could the shopper want but perhaps a Marks and Spencers and that is here in Caversham as well!

SPORT AND LEISURE

The Morgan Sports Centre based at Queen Anne’s School provides a wide range of excellent facilities including a 25 metre swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, squash courts and a dance studio. For those who enjoy the games of rugby, cricket and football there are local clubs with good facilities. Being by the River Thames there is, naturally, canoeing and the Warren Canoe Club offers the enthusiast the chance to use the river.

For those who just enjoy being outdoors and walking, the Caversham area has walks such as Balmore Walk which is a longish stretch of wood and grassland on the hill above Hemdean Road. The splendidly named Bugs Bottom, whose official name is Hemdean Bottom, offers some very good walking and an excellent place for those who enjoy flying kites. Caversham also has a designated nature reserve which is home to a bat colony amongst other things, and a walk taking in the meadow which runs between Caversham Bridge and Reading Bridge known as Christchurch Meadow is popular with walkers. However, for those who just wish to relax with a book a visit to the Caversham Library, a Carnegie building opened in 1907 will not disappoint.