{{Short description|British business park}} {{Distinguish|Thames Valley Park}} {{Use British English|date=October 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}

{{Infobox business park|name=Thames Valley Science Park|image=Entrance to TVSP and Shinfield Studios.jpg|image_upright=1|caption=Thames Valley Science Park entrance|location=[[Shinfield]], [[Berkshire]], England|address=Thames Valley Science Park<br/>Reading<br/>[[RG postcode area|RG2 9LH]]|coordinates={{coord|51.4149|-0.9403|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}|map_type=United Kingdom Reading|map_caption=Location within Reading|opening_date=|closing_date=|developer=|construction_cost=|manager=|owner=[[University of Reading]]|architect=|number_of_tenants=|number_of_workers=|size=|parking=|website=|footnotes=}}The '''Thames Valley Science Park''' (also known as '''TVSP''') is a [[business park]] located in [[Shinfield]], near [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], England. It is wholly owned and managed by the [[University of Reading]], serving as a hub for innovation, research, and collaboration between academia and business.

== History == The Thames Valley Science Park was developed by the University of Reading as part of its strategy to boost the local and regional economy by leveraging its academic expertise and research facilities. Plans for the park went on display in summer 2016, outlining the transformation of {{Convert|42|acre|ha}} of [[greenfield land]] into a business park with expected expansions over the next 15 to 20 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 June 2016 |title=Plans for multi-million Reading University science park to go on display |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-36652082 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The first major structure, the Gateway Building, opened in 2018, marking the start of a phased, long-term development.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 March 2018 |title=Reading science park opens doors as part of £35m project |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-43291306 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Gateway Building provides {{Convert|70,000|sqft|m2}} of office and laboratory space, initially accommodating approximately 20 technology-led companies, ranging from start-ups to established R&D centres. This building also houses the Innovation Catalyst, a hub to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2018 |title=Thames Valley Science Park open for business |url=https://archive.reading.ac.uk/news-events/2018/March/pr759477.html#:~:text=01%20March%202018,largest%20in%20the%20South%20East. |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=archive.reading.ac.uk}}</ref>

Outline planning consent for the second phase, comprising conceptual plans for up to 15 further buildings, was granted in 2017. The full Science Park is planned to be developed over an extended period, potentially taking up to 20 years to fully complete, with the potential to create up to 5,000 new jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2017 |title=University submits planning application for next building at Thames Valley Science Park |url=https://archive.reading.ac.uk/news-events/2017/November/pr747017.html#:~:text=The%20Thames%20Valley%20Science%20Park%20will%20eventually%20deliver%20approximately%20800,000,up%20to%205,000%20new%20jobs. |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=archive.reading.ac.uk}}</ref>

A biodiversity plan costing £1m began in October 2025 to relandscape and improve the areas ecological value.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2025 |title=Biodiversity in Shinfield to be boosted in £1m project |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdx219xqz2ko |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Link with the University of Reading === The Thames Valley Science Park maintains a connection with the University of Reading, offering businesses on the park several advantages. This partnership provides access to graduate recruitment and student project engagement opportunities. Companies can also leverage the university's expertise for research collaborations and specialised knowledge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who we are - Thames Valley Science Park |url=https://www.reading.ac.uk/thames-valley-science-park/who-we-are |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=www.reading.ac.uk}}</ref> Furthermore, businesses can utilise specialist university equipment and facilities, as well as dedicated business support programmes and events, including initiatives like the Henley Accelerator from the university's [[Henley Business School]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thames Valley Science Park |url=https://www.scaleupinstitute.org.uk/programmes/innovation-catalyst/ |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=ScaleUp Institute}}</ref>

== Tennants == The Thames Valley Science Park has attracted a mix of companies and institutions, focusing on sectors beyond traditional science and technology to include cultural heritage and creative industries. The park is home to around 80 organisations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thames Valley Science Park |url=https://www.visit-reading.com/business/reading-university/thames-valley-science-park#:~:text=Thames%20Valley%20Science%20Park%20offers%20dynamic%20space,sectors.%20Explore%20opportunities%20for%20collaboration%20and%20growth. |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=www.visit-reading.com}}</ref>

Notable developments and tenants include: [[File:Shinfield Studios entrance.jpg|alt=Headshot of John Lasseter|thumb|Shinfield Studios entrance]]

* [[Shinfield Studios]]: The Science Park is the location for the university's development of Cine Valley, a major film, TV, and digital media hub. Shinfield Studios, a key tenant, provides purpose-built sound stages, workshops, and offices, which have already begun hosting major film productions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Charlotte |date=16 November 2023 |title=UK Hollywood film studio set for 2024 completion in Berkshire |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-67427519 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

* [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]]: The NHM is constructing a new Collections, Science and Digitisation Centre at the Science Park. This major facility is planned to house approximately 28&nbsp;million specimens from the museum's collection, along with innovative digital, analytical, and genomic technologies, supporting global research into urgent environmental issues. The facility is expected to open fully by 2031.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephens |first=Daisy |last2=Elapatha |first2=Neranjana |date=9 September 2025 |title=Work starts on Natural History Museum building in Reading |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jm9wj10m3o |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

* [[British Museum]]: The Archaeological Research Collection (ARC), a purpose-built facility, houses approximately 1.3&nbsp;million objects from the British Museum's collection. It is a destination for researchers and facilitates outreach activities, including sharing collections with the University of Reading. New plans have been approved for a new entrance to the site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Museum Archaeological Research Collection |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/masterplan/bmarc |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=British Museum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Ruth |date=29 April 2025 |title=Latest plans for British Museum in science park approved |url=https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/25123437.british-museum-plans-thames-valley-science-park-approved/ |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=Bracknell News |language=en}}</ref>

Additionally, there have been numerous mid-sized companies operating across sectors such as [[digital media]], [[quantum computing]], [[Medical diagnostic software|medical diagnostics]], [[biotechnology]], and other [[Research and development|R&D]] fields. Early tenants included companies like BioInteractions Limited and Clasado BioSciences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thames Valley Science Park open for business {{!}} UKSPA |url=https://www.ukspa.org.uk/thames-valley-science-park-open-for-business/ |access-date=17 October 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Location and Transport == The Thames Valley Science Park is located in Shinfield, just to the south of Reading and immediately adjacent to the [[M4 motorway]] (Junction 11). Its proximity to the M4 provides excellent connections to [[London]], [[Bristol]], and the wider [[List of motorways in the United Kingdom|UK motorway network]]. [[Reading Buses]]' Leopard 3 connects the park to [[Wokingham]] and the [[Reading railway station]], a major transport hub with frequent services to London Paddington and Heathrow Airport.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2025 |title=leopard 3 - Reading Station to Wokingham via Royal Berkshire Hospital, Shinfield, Arborfield |url=https://www.reading-buses.co.uk/services/RBUS/3 |access-date=17 October 2025 |website=www.reading-buses.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://www.reading.ac.uk/thames-valley-science-park/ Official Website]

{{University of Reading}}

[[Category:Business parks of England]] [[Category:Economy of Reading, Berkshire]] [[Category:High-technology business districts in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Information technology company headquarters in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:2018 establishments in England]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Berkshire]] [[Category:Buildings and structures of the University of Reading]]