Newbury Property Finder

Newbury is still classed as a market town. It has a population of about 35,000 rising to 60,000 when you include the immediate environs. Apparently the town was founded in Norman times and went on to grow due to the textile industry in the 16th century. In Georgian times it was the main stopover for people travelling from London to Bath.

These days it continues to grow with a new shopping centre just opened and business parks being built. The arts and cultural side are also expanding.

Air
Heathrow,  Bristol, Birmingham and Southampton are all easily accessible from Newbury.

Road
Newbury is well placed for travel in any direction. It is just four miles from junction 14 of the M4 taking you across country from west to east. The A34 just two miles away taking you south and north.

Rail
First Great Western trains travel into London Paddington from Newbury station. The journey time is approximately one hour.

As one would expect there has been a lot of new build particularly on the outskirts of Newbury. In the town you will find good examples of Victorian and Edwardian town houses and terrace. For larger properties and those with more character then you have to look in the surrounding villages. Here you will find anything from small, cosy thatch and farmhouses to large country estates.
The property prices here are among the highest in the country due to its easy commuting distance to London and good employment in the area.

Bucking the trend, Newbury is flourishing and expanding. A new seven screen cinema complex has recently opened and a £160 million pound shopping centre has just been opened. Newbury Racecourse is being upgraded.

With somewhere in the region of 3,500 people the biggest employer in Newbury is Vodafone. Bayer, the pharmaceutical company is the second largest.
The employment rate is 84 per cent with unemployment at 4 per cent which is below the national average.

State Primary Schools see schools web directory for West Berkshire LEA schools

State Secondary Schools

St. Bartholomew’s (11-18)
Park House (11-18)
Trinity School (11-18)
Newbury College (16 plus)

Independent Education

St Gabriel’s School ( Boys, nursery, pre-prep. Girls, nursery to upper sixth)
Priors Court School (5-19, school for the Autistic)
Mary Hare School (5-19, school for deaf children)
Downe House (girls only. Prep, senior, sixth form)
Cheam School (nursery, pre-prep,prep)
Brockhurst and Marlston (nursery, pre-prep, prep)
Horris Hill (boys only, pre-prep, prep)
Thorngrove (nursery, pre-prep, prep)

Newbury is possibly best known for the Newbury racecourse which holds fixtures throughout the year. Apart from the horse racing they also hold concerts and conferences at the venue.

Highclere Castle is now finding itself a popular attraction following the success of Downton Abbey where the programme was filmed. Often described as the ‘finest occupied Victorian castle in England’ it is home to the 8th Earl & Countess of Carnavon. Country events and concerts are held in the grounds during the summer.

The Kennet and Avon Canal runs right through the middle of Newbury and there are barge trips during the summer. The tow path makes for a pleasant walk in either direction, east towards Hungerford or west towards Reading.
There are two theatres in Newbury. The Corn Exchange is to be found in the market place in the centre of Newbury and the Watermill Theatre in Bagnor, just west of the town.

Every September the Royal county Of Berkshire Show takes place at the Newbury showground just off the M4. This is a great country show including animal displays, rural crafts, livestock, bands and much more.

There is a new shopping area in town now with top name shops making a trip to Newbury worthwhile.

There are many pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in and around Newbury. The Vineyard at Stockcross could be a destination for that special occasion and it’s restaurant has just been given a place in the Times top 100 restaurants.
A traditional farmers market is held twice a month in the market square.