Welcome to the Honey Trap. Traditional Cache
oshy55: Muggles keep removing cache
Welcome to the Honey Trap.
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The open parkland of Prospect Park, Reading’s largest open space, gets its name from the fine views across the Kennet Valley and beyond, which can be seen from the Mansion House. The Regency white stuccoed Grade II listed mansion, now a restaurant, is set on a hill at the highest point of the park. The park has broad sweeps of short cut grass, with areas of conservation grassland. An artificial pond, which attracts wildlife, was created to the south of the house, and to the north is ’The Rookery’, a Wildlife Heritage Site, which is a small piece of mature oak woodland. A mini steam train, run by voluntary enthusiasts runs on summer weekends near the Bath Road entrance. The site has many sports facilities (see comprehensive list below); and a well-equipped children’s play area. The park hosts a variety of annual events, from Carnivals to steam fairs.
Facilities
Large Children’s Play area
Mini steam train
Toilets
Picnic Area
Restaurant
Grass Football Pitches x 8
5 a side Football Courts (Floodlit / all weather) x 5
Rugby PitchTennis courts (Floodlit / all weather) x 3
Bowls Green - Prospect Park Bowls Club
Basketball Court x 2
Table Tennis Tables x 2
Changing rooms with showers and toilets available to those using sports facilities.
Woodland - ’The Rookery’
Pond
The site is extremely popular for dog walking
Many long sloping banks suitable for sledging
Access
Vehicular driveway from Liebenrood Road.
Pedestrian access points on Bath Road, Tilehurst Road and Honey End Lane.
Car parking available to the left of the main driveway from Liebenrood Road and at the top of the driveway by the Mansion House.Car Parking also provided on Honey End Lane by entrance to park.
Wildlife
Several thousand daffodils have been planted along the Tilehurst Road side of the park making it a joy to visit during the early spring months.
Snowdrops have also been planted on the slopes north of the woodland. The sites pond is rich in wildlife and is surrounded by willows and a hawthorne hedge.
The Rookery is a planted mature oak woodland on the crest of the hill, with other native tree species including field maple, ash, cherry, and lime. There are bluebells here in spring along with toothwort.
Conservation work is regularly carried out in the park, such as the planting of hedgerows, trees and the erection of bird and bat boxes. To the west of the Rookery work on the old orchard and conservation grass areas has resulted in an array of wild flowers, which attract many butterflies and other insects.
History
Prospect Hill originaly belonged to Frances Kendrick. At that time it comprised partly as a farm with a house known as "Diles". The original house was built in the 1750’s, set on the south side of a hill formerly covered in woodland and encircled by roads. The House was remodelled and enlarged circa 1800 by James Wright Sanderson for J E Liebenrood. Prospect Park was purchased by the Corporation in 1901 "for the benefit of its weary workers" via the efforts of its then owner Charles Fiddler, a local entrepreneur who built Queen Victoria Street and Market Arcade in Reading town centre.Benjamin Child commissioned the heart shaped pond on site in memory of his wife Frances Kendrick (original owner of the Mansion House), who sadly passed away after 15 years of marriage at the young age of 35. The courtship and marriage of Benjamin and Frances is the stuff of local legend (which you may wish to look up), and, in an alcove within the main dining area of the Mansion House, you will find a memorial statue to Frances, sculpted by artist Marcus Cornish.
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Treasures
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