Things to do in Newbury, Berkshire
Traces of a Mesolithic settlement in Newbury dating back to the Middle Stone Age means there were inhabitants in the area thousands of years B.C.
Newbury was founded as a new borough in the 11th century, after the Norman invasion and hence its name of New-bury. The town had royal connections as King John and Henry III used the area for hunting.
Newbury Castle was built four miles away at Hamstead Marshall but remains of castle mounds in the area indicate there were other castles in Newbury during the mediaeval period.
Jack won the bet and produced the first Newbury Coat which became a popular garment for fashionably dressed gentlemen of the day.
In 1643-44 Newbury was involved in two Civil War battles and Donnington Castle was destroyed in the process. The English Civil War also caused the collapse of the cloth trade - a disaster for Newbury residents who were seriously impoverished.
By the 18th century Newbury was a coaching stop between London and Bath and soon the town had a theatre and huge coaching inns. The George and Pelican was said to have stabled 300 horses.
By 1810 the Kennet and Avon Canal had been built for transporting corn between Reading and Bristol. In 1847, trade once again died with the arrival of the railway.
Present Day Newbury
Newbury is centred on the market place which is overlooked by many lovely 17th century buildings and the impressive Town Hall. The clock tower is one of the prettiest landmarks.
The population of around 32,000 people is served by supermarkets, chain stores and independent retailers in the town.
Newbury has several schools including St Bartholomew's, one of the oldest in Berkshire dating back to 1466, and Newbury College, funded by private initiative.
Things to do in Newbury
The North Wessex Downs are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and include Beacon Hill and Watership Down, made famous by the film and book of the same name.
Newbury Racecourse celebrated its centenary in 2005 and hosts the Hennessey Gold Cup in November, among many other races.
Newbury Lido is very popular in the summer. Built in the 1890s it can accommodate up to 1000 bathers. The town has a football, rugby and cricket club and Donnington Grove, a former estate with a historic mansion, is now a prestigious golf course.
Victoria Park hosts a number of events such as the Keep Off the Grass Dance Festival, the Canal Craft Race and the Newbury Waterways Festival.
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Days Out in Newbury
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Newbury Racecourse (<1 Mile)*
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Highclere Castle (5 Miles)*
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Basildon Park (10 Miles)*
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Beale Park (11 Miles)*
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The Vyne (12 Miles)*
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Mapledurham House and Watermill (13 Miles)*
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Vale and Downland Museum and Visitor Centre (13 Miles)*
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Willis Museum (13 Miles)*
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Finkley Down Farm Park (14 Miles)*
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Didcot Railway Centre (14 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Newbury
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Enborne (2 Miles)*
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Bucklebury (5 Miles)*
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Aldermaston (7 Miles)*
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Chilton Foliat (9 Miles)*
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Letcombe Bassett (11 Miles)*
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Tilehurst (12 Miles)*
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Letcombe Regis (12 Miles)*
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Wantage (13 Miles)*
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Mapledurham (13 Miles)*
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Basingstoke (13 Miles)*
Also near Newbury |
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