Palmer Park

Palmer Park is a public park in Reading, Berkshire, England, best known for its Victorian origins and for a stadium that includes one of the oldest cycling velodromes in the country. It combines green space for everyday walks with sport facilities that matter well beyond the town itself.

How did Palmer Park come to exist?

The park goes back to 1889, when the Reading biscuit manufacturer Huntley & Palmers gave about 21 acres of land to the town. A couple of years later, in 1891, the grounds were extended to roughly 49 acres. The layout was designed by William Ravenscroft. Its name recalls the Palmer family, whose company was one of the best-known employers in Reading at the time.

What is there to see and do in Palmer Park?

Palmer Park is a classic urban park: open lawns, paths for strolling and space for a break away from the town centre. For many visitors, though, the main draw is the sports complex inside it. Palmer Park Stadium includes an athletics stadium and a velodrome, and the site also has a leisure centre with a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool. Together they make the park a place where recreation and organised sport sit side by side.

Why is the Palmer Park velodrome special?

The track dates from around the turn of the 20th century, which makes it one of the oldest velodromes in Britain. It is 459 metres long. Over the years it has hosted weekly summer track league evenings as well as national events and championships, and it remains a landmark for British track cycling. Cycling fans often come specifically to see this historic venue.

Has the track always been open?

No. The ground beneath the park includes old chalk pits, and in 2002 the track was closed for a season because of subsidence. Reading Borough Council filled the dips and refurbished the surface, so racing could resume in 2003. Later, cracks in the surface and exposed nails in the perimeter fencing led to another closure, and in 2015 British Cycling stopped racing there for safety reasons. A refurbishment costing about £366,000, paid for jointly by the council and British Cycling, brought new fencing and floodlighting. The track reopened in March 2016, and sources also mention an official reopening ceremony in 2017.

Who is the stadium for?

The council describes the athletics stadium and velodrome as facilities of regional and county-wide importance. That means visitors may see local clubs, young athletes and competitive cyclists, depending on the day. If you only want a walk, the park works perfectly well without any event on.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Palmer Park? In Reading, Berkshire, England, within the town.

Who donated the land? The biscuit company Huntley & Palmers, in 1889.

How long is the velodrome track? 459 metres.

Can I swim there? Yes, the leisure centre on the site has a 25-metre, six-lane pool.

Is the velodrome old? Yes, it dates from around 1900 and is among the oldest in the country.

Is it worth a visit?

Palmer Park suits anyone interested in cycling history, local sport or simply a green stop in Reading. Check the stadium's schedule beforehand if you want to catch a race or an athletics meeting.