Englefield Gardens
RHS Partner Garden
Englefield
Theale
Reading
RG7 5EN
Free Access
Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.
Opening Hours
10am–6pm (4pm, 1 Nov–30 Mar), Mon.
Admission
Please see website for admission prices.
RHS members
Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.
Facilities
- Free carer entry
- Parking
- Assistance dogs only
Features
- Woodland
- Herbaceous border
- Autumn colour
About the garden
Owned by
Richard Benyon
Designed By
Lanning Roper
The origins of the garden at Englefield date back over 400 years. The foundations of the garden as they appear today were created in the late 1860s with the building of stone balustrades and staircases by Italian craftsmen.
In 1936 the woodland garden on the hill above the house was created by thinning the forest. At the same time, the stream was constructed and the area planted. Much of the original planting is still in place and includes varieties of rhododendron, azalea, camellia, magnolia, Parrotia, cornus, Davidia and Acer.
The lower terrace was redesigned in 1974 by the American landscape architect Lanning Roper. It contains many roses both in the box borders and adorning the walls. Perennials such as delphiniums, Aconitum, salvias and a changing palette of annuals each year fill the box borders. Our wildflower areas offer colour during the summer months with many butterflies and insect life benefiting from this extra source of nectar.
Please note: this garden is partially accessible.
Plants of special interest
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.