Palmer Park
🏟 Playground & park · East Reading, Reading
Palmer Park
A large east Reading park with two playgrounds, a community cafe, athletics stadium and leisure centre on Wokingham Road.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open daily, dawn to dusk · Free · No booking needed
About Palmer Park
Palmer Park is a large, historic parkland in east Reading, bounded by Wokingham Road and London Road. It is home to Palmer Park Sport Stadium, which includes a velodrome and athletics track, and a modern leisure centre with a 25-metre community pool and gym. For families there are two play areas: a large children's playground next to the community cafe near Wokingham Road, and a second, smaller accessible play area known locally as ERAPA near London Road. The park also contains Palmer Park Library, a bowling club and football pitches that are used for local matches, with an artificial cricket wicket in summer. Mature lime trees line the perimeter walks, making it a pleasant place for a stroll as well as play. The community cafe and information hub sit alongside the main play area, so families can combine a trip to the playground with refreshments. Toilets are available on site. Managed by Reading Borough Council and operated in part by GLL, the park is free to enter and a well-used green space for the surrounding neighbourhoods.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Palmer Park Stadium (velodrome and athletics)
- leisure centre with pool and gym
- Palmer Park Library
- bowling club
- football pitches
- cricket wicket
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Second smaller play area near London Road is described as accessible
🧒 Ages & play
- large children's play area
- second smaller accessible play area
📍 Nearby places to play
- Cintra Park · approx 1.1 miles · Christchurch / Redlands
- Christchurch Meadows · approx 1.5 miles · Caversham
- Waterloo Meadows · approx 1.5 miles · Katesgrove
Explore more:
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Palmer Park free to visit?
Yes. The park and its two play areas are free to enter. The leisure centre pool and gym are paid facilities.
What is in the Palmer Park playgrounds?
There is a large children's play area near Wokingham Road and a second smaller accessible play area near London Road.
Are there toilets and a cafe?
Yes. There is a community cafe next to the main play area and toilets on site.
Where is Palmer Park?
It is on Wokingham Road in east Reading, postcode RG6 1LE, managed by Reading Borough Council.
Is there a play area for toddlers?
Yes. The large play area caters for younger children, and a second smaller accessible play area is also available.