Skip to content
Outdoors

West Green House Garden

HookAges 3-14
Courtesy of West Green House Garden

BEST FOR

Ages 3-14

ENTRY

from £12

SETTING

Outdoors

WHERE

Hook

What it’s like

Wander through walled gardens with an under-14, then come back after dark in winter for a trail of lit-up animal sculptures.

This is a proper garden rather than a play attraction, so the day is more about wandering the walled beds and borders with a three to fourteen-year-old than any big set-piece. Gravel paths link the different areas, and the Georgian manor at the centre is a private home so you're looking at the gardens around it rather than going inside, which catches some people out.

Where it earns its keep with kids is winter. From 28 November to 30 December the gardens turn into an Illuminated Garden Adventure, with lit sculptures of animals dotted through the dark, food stalls doing hot chocolate and mulled wine, and a wreath making workshop if you fancy getting hands-on. Christmas events need booking ahead and the tickets are non-refundable, so it's worth being sure of your date before you pay.

Adults are £12 and under-14s £6, with under-threes free, open Wednesday to Sunday and bank holidays from March to November, 11am to 4:30pm. Parking is £4 a car on arrival. The Tea Room does teas and light lunches from 11am to 4pm, which is enough for a couple of hours around the gardens without needing to plan a full day.

There's no booking needed for a normal garden visit, you just turn up in opening hours. Wheelchair users should bring their own, as none are kept on site, and the walled garden's gravel paths mean access is a bit limited if you're pushing a chair or a buggy over uneven ground.

Facilities

Blue badge parking
Café
Gift shop
Group bookings
Parking

Need to know

Best for
3 to 14; the Christmas light trail suits older kids especially
Parking
£4 per car, payable on arrival at garden entrance
Food
Tea Room open 11am-4pm serving teas and light lunches
Wheelchairs
Gravel paths with limited access in walled garden
Getting there by bus or train
Winchfield station nearest, 7 minutes by taxi
  • Christmas illuminated trail tickets and other event tickets are non-refundable
  • The manor house itself isn't open, only the gardens around it
  • Nearest station is Winchfield, about seven minutes away by taxi
  • Tea Room hours run slightly shorter than the garden's, 11am to 4pm

Plan your visit

How much does it cost?

£12 for an adult, £6 for a child aged 3 to 14, and under-threes get in free.

Do we need to book?

Not for a regular garden visit, you can just turn up during opening hours. The Christmas illuminated trail events do need booking ahead.

What are the opening hours?

Wednesday to Sunday and bank holidays, 11am to 4:30pm, March to November.

Is the manor house open to visitors?

No, it's a private home at the centre of the gardens, so you're visiting the grounds rather than the house itself.

What's there for kids to do?

Mostly strolling the gardens together, plus the winter Illuminated Garden Adventure with lit animal sculptures and a wreath making workshop.

Is there parking?

£4 a car, paid on arrival at the garden entrance. There's also blue badge parking.

What food is available?

The Tea Room serves teas and light lunches from 11am to 4pm. At Christmas there are food stalls with hot chocolate, mulled wine and treats.

Is it wheelchair or buggy friendly?

There's no wheelchair available to borrow on site, so bring your own. The walled garden has gravel paths with limited access.

Featured in 1 Huddlepin list

See all Gardens & Arboretums in Reading · Things to do in Reading

MAKE A DAY OF IT

While you’re there