Caversham, Reading RG4 7TH
Neptune Sea Scouts Boathouse, Caversham
Wychotes Waterside Activity Centre
Neptune's water sports and outdoor activity base on the River Thames — where young people aged 14–18 learn to kayak, canoe and paddle every week. Also available for community hall hire.
About Wychotes — Our Riverside Home
Wychotes Waterside Activity Centre, home to Neptune Explorer Scout Unit and 1st Reading Sea Scouts, sits on the picturesque River Thames in Caversham, Reading. From here we run all of our sea scouting activities — kayaking, paddleboarding, open canoeing, dragon boat racing, pulling, bell boating, traditional rafting, and DofE expeditions for young people aged 14–18.
Our facility offers a unique combination of indoor hall space and direct waterside access — ideal for a wide range of events, from birthday parties and team-building days to community meetings and water-based activities.
With over a century of scouting heritage, the boathouse has been a cornerstone of the Reading community, providing a welcoming space for both scouting activities and public hire. Interested in supporting what we do? Volunteer with the unit and join the team behind the scenes.
For young people aged 14–18
A Water Activities Centre for Young People in Reading
Wychotes is more than a hall — it is Neptune's water sports and outdoor activity base on the River Thames, and the place where Explorer Sea Scouts aged 14 to 18 from across Reading, Caversham and the wider Berkshire area come to get out on the water every Thursday evening. With our own waterside access and a fleet stored on site, members can be afloat within minutes of arriving.
Across the year, young people here learn kayaking, open canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, race dragon boats and bell boats as a crew, build and pilot traditional rafts, take the oars for Cornish pilot gig rowing, and train in RYA-aligned powerboat handling. Every session is led by qualified instructors, with all wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets and craft provided — so no previous experience is needed to start.
Beyond the water, the centre is the launch point for hiking and Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions, navigation and campcraft, and the weekly meeting place where friendships and skills for life are built. If you are a parent looking for an active, supportive and genuinely different thing for your teenager to do in Reading, this is where it happens — and the first two weeks are free.
See the space
Inside Wychotes
What's available
Facilities
Main Hall
Spacious hall suitable for meetings, parties, and community events. Flexible configuration and seating arrangements.
Kitchen Facilities
Fully equipped kitchen for catering, refreshments, and event preparation.
Waterside Access
Direct access to the River Thames with boat storage, launch area, and stunning riverside views.
Flexible Bookings
Available for one-off events, regular community bookings, and private celebrations. Competitive rates for charities.
Getting here
Find Us in Caversham, Reading
Address
Wychotes, The WarrenCaversham, Reading RG4 7TH
Getting Here
- On-site parking available
- 10-minute walk from Caversham Bridge
- Direct Thames Path access
- Accessible entrance and facilities
Make an enquiry
Hall Hire Enquiry
Interested in hiring Wychotes? Fill in the form and we'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Hall Hire Inquiry
Interested in hiring Wychotes Waterside Activity Centre? Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you.
Pricing and availability vary by event type and duration. Competitive rates for community groups and charitable organisations.