West Berkshire Property Finder

The main towns in West Berkshire are, Newbury, Hungerford, Thatcham and Pangbourne. Some of the more popular villages include Streatley, Kintbury and now particularly with the connection to Katherine Middleton, Bucklebury.

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

Road
West Berkshire is well placed for travel in any direction. The main routes are the M4 from Swansea to London and the A34 from Oxford to Southampton.

Rail
First Great Western trains travel into London Paddington. The journey time from Reading is approximately 30 minutes and from Newbury approximately 1 hour. Those in the north of the county may prefer to travel from Didcot where the journey time is 45 minutes.

From new build estates around the industrial areas to country estates in acres of parkland the properties to be found in the area are fairly diverse. There is a predominance of red brick in the period properties and some thatch.

Despite being predominantly a rural area West Berkshire has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in Europe. It has a strong industrial base but is fast becoming a key area for knowledge based and technology industries. Vodafone a major company in Newbury employs over 6000 people.
Certain aspects of the rural economy remain less rosy with local shops closing and cuts in public transport.

State Education – is available from small village primary schools to large sixth form community colleges. There are two grammar schools in Reading; Kendrick School (girls only) and Reading School (boys only). Details of all state schools can be found on the local authority West Berkshire website. Further information can be obtained from Ofsted the schools inspectorate.

Independent Education

• Brockhurst and Marlston House (nursery, pre-prep, prep)
• Cheam School (nursery, pre-prep,prep)
• Horris Hill (boys only pre-prep, prep)
• St Gabriel’s School (boys, nursery, pre-pep, girls nursery to sixth form. Day only)
• Thorngrove School (nursery, pre-prep, prep. Day only)
• Downe House  (girls only, prep, senior, sixth form)
• Bradfield College (senior,sixth form)
• Elstree  (boys, nursery, pre-prep, prep)
• Pangbourne College  (prep, senior, sixth form)
• The Abbey School (girls only, nursery, pre-prep, prep, senior, sixth form)
• The Oratory School (boys only, prep, senior, sixth form)

Further information can be found on the website of the Independent Schools Council

There is plenty to keep you occupied here in West Berkshire. Horses play a big part in the area with racing at Newbury and the racing yards in Lambourn holding open days for visitors. There are also many bridleways if you wish to take to the saddle yourself.

Narrow boats are available to hire or just for a trip along the Kennet and Avon Canal. If you go along the River Thames at Streatley you can stop for a drink at The Bull made famous by Jerome K Jeromes’s ‘Three men in a boat’. Continuing with the watery theme, chalkstream fly fishing is available on the River Kennet at Barton Court and the River Lambourn at Donnington Grove.

The Ridgeway, The Thames Path and The Kennet & Avon Canal towpath all offer long distance routes for those keen on cycling and walking.

Just outside Newbury is the Watermill Theatre one of the best producing regional theatres in the country and in Newbury town is the Corn Exchange theatre.

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

If you like eating out or a weekend away then you will find something for everyone from small rural pubs to five star luxury. For a special occasion try The Vineyard between Hungerford and Newbury.