Summer Painting Days

From May until September, we meet up to paint or sketch outdoors at different locations. This is a great opportunity to join with friends or wander off on your own to find the view that inspires you with other RGA members and friends nearby.

We like to get together at the end of the day to share our results, but the day is totally unstructured. All members and friends are welcome, there is no RGA charge. You are responsible for individual expenses such as admission fees and parking charges, if applicable.

Please bring along your own painting and drawing equipment and it’s a good idea to bring your own refreshments, although some locations do have a café. Do wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring supplies (suncream, drinking water, rainproofs) for sun or rain. Ticks can be a hazard in long grass, so long trousers are a good idea.

Please either contact us or the organisers below if you have any questions regarding Summer Painting Days. If you have suggestions or ideas for future Summer Painting Days please let us know.

Shelagh Casebourne	07798 828673
Kate Ellison-Bourne	07739 981613
Tizzy Cottingham	07974 383657

Upcoming

University of Reading Community Festival

University of Reading
Whiteknights
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AH

what3words: ///inform.edgy.tame

17th May 2025
12:00 am - 4:30 pm

Meeting Point: Park House (Building 8 on the Reading Whiteknights Campus map)

This is an opportunity to paint across the university campus as part of the University’s Community Festival. An invitation is being extended to the wider community to take part in this ‘paint out’, so we may make some new painting friends during the day.

There are plenty of cafes and toilets across the campus. Or just bring a packed lunch and enjoy the beautiful parkland setting.

We will meet at 12 noon outside Park House (Building 8 on the Reading Whiteknights Campus map) for a quick briefing and will have our RGA banner up, so it will be easy to find us.

and will have our RGA banner up, so it will be easy to find us.

Parking on the campus is free of charge, and regular buses run to the campus. Information on getting to the Whiteknights campus can be found on the University’s website.

There will be a painting ‘throw-down’ at the end of the afternoon, which we hope will be judged by a University VP; the prize will be kudos alone!

Monks Pond Cottage

Monks Pond Cottage
Monks Alley
Binfield
RG42 5PA

what3words: ///busy.maple.take

14th June 2025
10:30 am - 3:30 pm

It’s always a pleasure to paint in this private, walled garden which is full of interesting corners (and a large, separate pond). This is a favourite location each year. There is plenty of parking and teas and coffees are provided by our kind host. Please bring a packed lunch.

Harris Garden

University of Reading
Whiteknights
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AH

what3words: ///proper.inches.react

19th July 2025
10:30 am - 3:30 pm

Free parking is available in car park 13 (access Pepper Road Entrance). The Harris Garden is another of our favourite painting spots in Reading – a beautiful, large, secret garden space on the edge of the Whiteknights campus, maintained by volunteers. We try to include this on our programme most years. This will be out of term time, so the only café and toilets open are at Park House, a short walk from the garden (building number 8 on the Whiteknights Campus map). You may want to bring a packed lunch.

Loddon Brewery

Loddon Brewery
Dunsden Green Farm
Church Lane
Reading
RG4 9QD

what3words: ///rips.proof.moon

16th August 2025
10:30 am - 3:30 pm

A new painting venue, the Loddon Brewery is located in farm buildings in open countryside near the village of Dunsden Green. There is parking and there are toilets and food and drink is available. The food is provided by guest caterers and changes from day to day with a good but limited menu. They prohibit the eating of food not bought on the premises, but a discreet picnic off the premises or in a car would be possible.