Whiteknights has been in existence since the Norman Conquest when it was known as the Manor of Earley. It was owned by a succession of families, becoming the Whiteknights Estate during the 14th century. In 1606 it passed to the ownership of the Englefield family where it remained for nearly two centuries. In 1798 the estate was acquired by the Marquis of Blandford who spent vast sums on library acquisitions and elaborate gardens. However by 1817 the Marquis, then the fifth duke of Marlborough, was in debt. As a result in 1819 the estate was Welcome to dispersed and the original house demolished in 1840. In 1867 the estate was divided into 6 leaseholds and a smaller house constructed in each. Finally in 1947 the Whiteknights freehold was purchased by the University. In its present form the Whiteknights campus covers A guide for visitors to the University of Reading 123 hectares, including Whiteknights lake, conservation meadows and woodlands. It is the largest area maintained Whiteknights campus by the University. people A small dedicated, professional team The University pledges to preserve and enhance the wild The University of gardeners and arborists maintain the and natural environment of Whiteknights renowned for its 123 hectares of Whiteknights as well collection of trees, some of which are over 200 years old. Seeds of Reading as all the other areas of University land. are collected from its veteran trees in order to maintain stock The maintenance staff take care of the which is valuable for biodiversity. Whiteknights has an important The University of Reading has been upkeep of all of the University’s halls of collection of oaks, some donated by Windsor Great Park. part of the town of Reading for more residence and other property, while our than a century. Groundsmen maintain the sports areas to county standard. It began as an extension college of environment Oxford University in 1892. The College Whiteknights supports at Reading in Valpy Street managed several designated Wildlife the schools of science and art, which architecture Heritage Sites. Small areas quickly expanded and gained university The park has several listed buildings. of meadow are left uncut to college status in 1902. Four years later, The University has recently sympathetically provide habitats and food with over 1,200 students, the college restored Foxhill House, originally built by for seed-eating birds and moved into premises still in existence Alfred Waterhouse in 1867, architect of butterflies, while the lake in London Road, presented by the the Natural History Museum. There are is a haven for fish, birds and Palmer family. The college was granted examples of classic 1960s architecture insects. At dusk several species its charter and therefore created a such as the Palmer Building. In contrast, of bat can be observed university in its own right in 1926. the Henley Business School is an excellent feeding over the water. The University of Reading acquired example of a contemporary building. Whiteknights Park in 1947. Since that time, the University has maintained the natural beauty of the campus and wildlife preserved the lake, trees and open spaces that give Whiteknights its unique character. Recently refurbished Foxhill House built by Alfred Waterhouse for his own use and one of Guidance for visitors the 6 smaller houses constructed in 1867 after the division of the original estate in 1840. Whiteknights is the private property of Look out for: features of High Gothic The University of Reading. It has never Whiteknights architecture. been a park, but a public right of way runs from Earley Gate to Shinfield Road. Whiteknights Lake created by the middle of the 18th century by damming the natural The University reserves the right to 0 200m WHITEK NI GH dewponds and springs in existence on this site prohibit pedestrian access to other 0 600ft TS R since 1134. It is a haven for wildlife. To Museum of PER REDLANDS ROAD OA UP D areas as necessary. Visitors must adhere Look out for: nesting mandarin ducks and English Rural Life courtship displays of the great crested grebe. to University rules and regulations 8 Foxhill which are in operation throughout the R E University’s privately owned land at D L D A A Whiteknights and elsewhere. N O Whiteknights R D EW D Lake S N A Academic, administrative R O W O In general R Sports &O service buildings A T K D S W R Grounds IN • Please keep to the paths and do not U H HallsG of residence H I LM T H E E A disturb wildlife or pick flowers K M Under construction N RO I A G D • Do not leave any litter or light fires 2 H 6 T en’s Drive S • Please keep away from buildings and Que R O A research areas D 7 1 The Palmer Building Earley Sports • Roller-skating, skate-boarding and 4 Grounds 5 Gate S kite-flying are not allowed H I N F • The lake is not suitable for water I E L Chancello r’s Wa sports and activities D y lic b right of way u R P O A Friends' • Shooting, archery, golf or other D D Bridge A projectile sports are not allowed O R • Please listen to any additional advice All weather sports pitches S S are floodlit and available for a E given by the University staff N range of sports. One of the many R E • Access may be restricted or sports facilities maintained D L to county standard by the I permission withdrawn at any time W Whiteknights’ grounds team. An avenue of English Oaks In addition, dog-walkers please The planted to commemorate the Wilderness Queen’s Golden Jubilee • Keep dogs on leads at all times and in 2002 with a substantial 3 away from sports pitches grant donated by the Friends Harris of the University. • Take dog fouling away for disposal Garden D A O PE R P S Seasonal meadowland rich in species P S ER E L N of wildflowers to provide habitat and A R The Wilderness is a Reading Film Theatre (RFT) N E 1 food for wildlife. Cut annually to prevent E D Designated Wildlife Heritage IL smothering of weaker plants. W Site. It was originally one of 2 SportsPark the most ornamental areas Look out for: snakes head fritillary 3 The Harris Garden in the Marquis of Blandford’s flowers and holly blue butterflies. garden. 4 Public Lecture Series Look out for: the stone folly, The Friends’ Bridge linking the central 5 The Ure Museum campus to the Earley Gate departments unusual plants from the lost and halls on Whiteknights Road. garden, and veteran trees 6 The Cole Museum of Zoology over 200 years old. Look out for: tadpoles and pondskaters, 7 Dol.cHe Vita nesting swans and the red stems of the dogwood plants. 8 The Museum of English Rural Life 3 The Harris Garden 7 Dol.cHe Vita Where The entrance can be found between the Expresso bar, open to the public for refreshments. Wilderness and the Plant Sciences Laboratories. Where The Palmer Building. Open Several times a year to the general public Open Monday to Friday 8.30am–9.00pm, under various National Garden and other schemes term time Saturday 11.00am–3.00pm. and at other times by prior arrangement. Anyone can become a Friend of the Harris Garden with benefits 8 The Museum of English Rural Life such as free access and guided walks. Houses designated collections of national Contact Giles Reynolds (0118) 378 8312 or importance with outstanding collections of objects, [email protected] archives, books and photographs, reflecting all 4 Public Lecture Series aspects of farming and the countryside. Everyone is welcome to attend these lectures, Where Redlands Road (opposite the Hospital). showcasing some of the research at the University. Open Tuesday to Friday 9.00am–5.00pm. Closed They are presented in an informal and enjoyable between Christmas and New Year and Good Friday. atmosphere and are all free to attend. The Reading Room, library, archive and other Where The Palmer Building. collections are open Tuesday to Friday 9.00am– When Various Wednesday evenings from 5.00pm, appointment preferred. October to March. Contact (0118) 378 8660 or [email protected] 1 Reading Film Theatre (RFT) Contact (0118) 378 4313 or [email protected] www.reading.ac.uk/merl Established over 30 years ago as an independent www.reading.ac.uk/publiclectureseries cinema with a policy to show the best films from 5 The Ure Museum For more information To visit around the world. It is open to everyone. The website provides up to date listings. Programmes are The fourth most important collection of Greek For details on how to become a Friend of published three times a year and distributed locally. ceramics in Britain, after those of the British, the University, please contact the Secretary Where The Palmer Building. Ashmolean and Fitzwilliam Museums. (0118) 378 8006 Where Ground floor of the Humanities and When Term-time only. Unless stated otherwise, For information on the management of Social Sciences building. films begin at 8.00pm. Whiteknights, please contact the Head of Contact (0118) 378 7151 or [email protected] Open Monday to Friday,9.00am–4.30pm. Maintenance and Grounds www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk Contact The Assistant Curator, Jennifer Allison (0118) 378 4684 on (0118) 378 6990 or [email protected] 2 SportsPark For details of any aspect of the www.reading.ac.uk/ure University’s activities, please contact the Open to University students and staff and also to Communications Manager members of the local community who wish to take 6 The Cole Museum of Zoology (0118) 378 8004 part in recreational activities.