The first written description of Caversham appeared in the Domesday Book in 1086 as Caueresham. The entry indicates that it was a sizable community with a considerable amount of land under cultivation. The name is thought to mean ‘homestead or enclosure of a man called Cafhere’.

Caversham became part of Reading on the 9th November, 1911, as prior to that it was in Oxfordshire.

Prior to 1106 a Shrine of Our Lady was established in Caversham. Its exact location is unknown, but it became a popular place of pilgrimage, along with the chapel of St. Anne and her holy well. On 17 July 1532 it was visited by Catherine of Aragon but was subsequently destroyed on 14 September 1538 during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. Only the well still survives near the top of Priest Hill today, dating back to medieval times, its waters were reputed to have healing properties, but unfortunately it is now dry.

Medieval Caversham was mainly on the north side of Caversham Bridge east of the 12th century church of St. Peter. Following the dissolution of the monasteries from 1536, these lands were given to Christchurch College, Oxford.

Caversham Park in the Middle Ages was known as Caversham Manor and was owned by William Marshal (1146 – 1219), Earl of Pembroke and protector and regent for the 9 year old King Henry III. He died at Caversham but is buried in Temple Church, London where you can still see his effigy.

In the 16th century, the manor house was bought by Queen Elizabeth I's treasurer, Sir Francis Knollys he pulled down the existing manor and built a great mansion in its place. During the Civil War King Charles I it was held captive here, however, after the War it fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished. The present Caversham Park House was built in 1850 by the Crawshay family and was used as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers during the First World War. Today the building is occupied by BBC Monitoring.

To the east of the area you will find Caversham Lakes which were created by gravel extraction. This is the location of The Thames and Kennet Marina as well as the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake. The lakes are used for a number of recreational activities such as sailing and waterskiing.

There are 13 churches in the Caversham area as well as 37 listed buildings.

SCHOOLS

Caversham Nursery School
82 Gosbrook Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8BH
Tel:  0118 9015429             

Caversham Park Primary School
Queensway, Caversham Park Village, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6RP
Tel:  0118 9015433
www.cavershampark.reading.sch.uk
 
Caversham Primary School
Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7RA
Tel: 0118 901 5454
admin.caversham@reading.gov.uk
www.cavershamprimary.org
 
Micklands Primary School
Micklands Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6LU
Tel:  0118 9015500 
www.micklands.reading.sch.uk

St Anne's Catholic Primary School
Washington Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 5AA
Tel.  0118 9015537             
admin.stannes@reading.gov.uk
www.st-annes.reading.sch.uk

St Martin's Catholic Primary School,
Penndennis Avenue, Caversham Park Village, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6SS
Tel: 0118 9015544             
admin.stmartins@reading.gov.uk
www.stmartinsreading.co.uk

Thameside Primary School
Harley Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8DB
Tel: 0118 901 5551             
admin.thameside@reading.gov.uk
www.thameside.reading.sch.uk

The Hill Primary School
Peppard Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8TU
Tel:  0118 901 5560             
www.hill.reading.sch.uk

Secondary

Hemdean House School
Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7SD
Tel: 0118 947 2590         
Office@hemdeanhouse.co.uk
www.hemdeanhouse.co.uk

Queen Anne's School
6 Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6DX
Tel:  0118 918 7300             

PUBLIC SERVICES

Post Office
Day Lewis Pharmacy
30 Church Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8AU
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.30pm
Saturday 9.00am – 12.30pm

Caversham Library
Church Street
Caversham
RG4 8AU
Tel: 01189 015103

Reading Borough Council
Civic Centre
Reading
RG1 7AE
Tel: 01189 373737
www.reading.gov.uk     

RECREATION AREAS

Albert Road Recreation Ground - Albert Road, Caversham Heights, Reading RG4 7PR
Amersham Road (east end) - Amersham Road, Lower Caversham, RG4 5BQ
Amersham Road Play Area - Amersham Road, Lower Caversham, RG4 5DP
Balmore Walk - Peppard Road, Caversham, RG4 8BY
Beechwood (Hemdean Woods) - Morlais, Caversham, RG4 7QA
Caleta Close Play Area - Caleta Close, Lower Caversham, Reading, RG4 5BW
Caversham Court - Church Road, Caversham, RG4 7AD
Chiltern Road Recreation Area - Valentine Close, Caversham Park, Reading, RG4 5JJ
Christchurch Meadows - George Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8BY
Clayfield Copse - Caversham Park Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6RT
Blackhouse Woods - Caversham Park Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6RT
Deans Farm and Picnic Area - The Causeway, Deans Farm, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8EY
Hills Meadow - George Street, Lower Caversham, Reading RG1 7NP
Mapledurham Playing Fields - Woodcote Road, Caversham Heights, Reading RG4 7EZ
Milestone Way Play Area - Caversham Park Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6PF
Rufus Isaac Play Area - Rufus Isaac Road, Caversham, RG4 6DD
Thameside Promenade - Caversham, Reading RG1 8DP
The Warren - The Warren, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7TH
Westfield Road Recreation Ground - Gosbrook Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8HL
Winterberry Way Play Area - Winterberry Way, Caversham Heights, Reading RG4 7XD