{{Short description|Island in the River Thames}} {{EngvarB|date=May 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}} {{Infobox park | name = View Island | other_name = | image = Pond on View Island - geograph.org.uk - 1268063.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = Pond on View Island | type = Public | location = Reading, Berkshire, UK | coordinates = {{coord|51.462|-0.963|type:isle_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | area = | created = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY}} --> | operator = | visitation_num = | status = | open = | map = United Kingdom Reading | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Reading }} thumb|upright|155px|Carved wooden sculpture on View Island.
'''View Island''' is a small island near Caversham Lock, on the River Thames at Reading, Berkshire in England.<ref name="caversham">[http://www.caversham.org.uk/localphotos/photos_view.html Local Photos — View Island] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724084401/http://www.caversham.org.uk/localphotos/photos_view.html |date=24 July 2011 }}, [http://www.caversham.org.uk/ Caversham.org.uk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113005445/http://www.caversham.org.uk/ |date=13 January 2011 }}.</ref>
View Island forms part of a series of riverside open spaces, managed by Reading Borough Council, that stretch along one or other side of the River Thames throughout its passage through Reading. From west to east these are Thameside Promenade, Caversham Court, Christchurch Meadows, Hills Meadow, View Island and King's Meadow.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/outdoors/parks-outdoor-facilities-open-spaces/ |title=Parks, Outdoor Facilities & Open Spaces |publisher=Reading Borough Council |access-date=28 June 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628104835/https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/outdoors/parks-outdoor-facilities-open-spaces/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The island was a derelict boatyard when Reading Borough Council took it over in 1998 and restored it.<ref name="caversham" /> It is a quiet, relaxing island with grassy paths and seating. It is set out as a small park containing several wooden chain-saw carved sculptures, although all but one having rotted away. It connects to Caversham via Heron Island, which has private riverside housing and is connected by road to Lower Caversham.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Berkshire/Caversham/pictures/1131210 | title=Heron Island, Caversham | accessdate=30 March 2011 | author=Lever, Edward | date=3 February 2011 | website=www.picturesofengland.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.houseprices.co.uk/heron-island-caversham-reading-rg4/ | title=Heron Island Caversham Reading RG4 | accessdate=30 March 2011 | website=www.houseprices.co.uk}}</ref>
A body was found on View Island in February 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-12561976 | title=Death of man found on Reading footpath 'suspicious' | accessdate=29 March 2011 | date=23 February 2011 | work=BBC News | publisher=BBC Berkshire, UK}}</ref>
In 2021, the new Reading Hydro community owned hydro-electric power plant opened at the upstream end of the island. At the same time a new and more natural fish pass stream was constructed, snaking through View Island.<ref name=overview>{{cite web |url=https://readinghydro.org/technical-summary/ |title=Discover our hydro-electric plant |publisher=Reading Hydro CBS |access-date=14 February 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214160815/https://readinghydro.org/technical-summary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==See also== *Islands in the River Thames
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category-inline|View Island, Caversham}} * [http://www.reading-forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=3007 View Island], [http://www.reading-forum.co.uk/ Reading Forum]
{{Start box}} {{River island start|River=River Thames}} {{River item line|upstream=De Bohun Island |downstream=Sonning Eye}} {{End box}}
Category:Islands of the River Thames Category:Parks and open spaces in Reading, Berkshire
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