A guide to Newbury

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  • 1.
    During the mid-11th century, Newbury had become a town with no more than 1,500 inhabitants with the right to hold a fair and a market. Buyers and sellers came from all over Berkshire and North Hampshire to attend the Newbury fair, which were held only once a year for a period of days, turning to a recurring market day every Thursday which still takes place to this day.
  • 2.
    Newbury has a fascinating history, documenting various periods through time, including the civil war and WWII. It originated as a Saxon settlement known as 'Ulvritone'. The settlement was later called New Burgh. Burgh is an old English word, originally referring to a fort or fortified settlement before coming to mean a town. Burgh is the origin of our word borough, in time New Burgh became Newbury.
  • 3.
    Newbury and the surrounding areas have been home, both permanently and temporarily, to some well known figures through the years including Henry VIII and Francis Baily the astronomer.

Newbury Area

The historic town of Newbury is situated in West Berkshire. Originally founded in the late 11th Century as a new borough, hence its name. Just 5 miles south of Newbury you will find Highclere Castle which is a country house built in the Italianate style by architect Charles Barry in the 19th Century.

Surrounding Villages

  • Hungerford
    Hungerford is a historic market town in West Berkshire. It offers an array of local independent shops, as well as good schools and a train line into London Paddington. The Kennet and Avon Canal passes through the town from the west alongside the River Dun, a major tributary of the River Kennet. The confluence with the Kennet is to the north of the centre where both canal and river continue east.
  • Lambourn
    Lambourn is a large village in West Berkshire. After Newmarket, it is the largest centre of racehorse training in England and is home to a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys, an equine hospital, and several leading jockeys and trainers. To the north of the village are the prehistoric Seven Barrows and nearby Long Barrow.
  • Shalbourne
    Shalbourne is a busy, thriving village in Wiltshire, with a very strong community spirit, about 3 miles southwest of Hungerford. The parish has a number of widely spaced small settlements in its surrounds including Bagshot and Stype to the north, and Rivar and Oxenwood to the south. Villagers here maintain an active lifestyle with a variety of sports, social clubs and fund-raising events.
  • Wantage
    Wantage is a historic market town in South Oxfordshire. The town offers a good array of shops, cafes, and local amenities. The wonderful local market in the centre of town opens on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am – 3pm. The town sits on Letcombe Brook and provides good access to larger local towns like Oxford and Abingdon.

Lifestyle

  • Shopping

    Newbury has a wealth of shopping opportunities both the high street as well as in the more recently built Parkway shopping precinct

    there are a wide range of independent boutiques like Camp Hopsons as well as the more well-known brands such as John Lewis & Debenhams. You can find unique gifts, fashion brands and household essentials here, nestled between a variety of pubs, restaurants and cafes; a perfect mixture of independent and well-known names.

  • Eating

    The Sushi Maki

    An award-winning Japanese restaurant offering traditionally made sushi and Japanese inspired hot dishes. Found in the heart of Newbury's market place.

    Henry & Joe’s

    Opened by two Newbury locals with a passion for quality food, Henry and Joe are proud to deliver top quality and refined European/British dining.

    The Woodspeen

    A restaurant and cookery school with a Michelin star, award-winning wine list and a relaxed atmosphere in a restored 19th century farmhouse.

    The Tea Shop by The Canal

    A sweet café on the Kennet and Avon waterway offering freshly baked cakes and sweet goods, as well as a wide selection of cooked food.

  • Drinking

    The Newbury

    A 19th-century public house. Renovated in 2012, this independent establishment serves a classic British menu and has a wonderful roof terrace for the summer days.

    The Red House

    Set in the breath-taking West Berkshire countryside, this traditional pub serves proper British food, local ales and hand-picked wines.

    The Catherine Wheel

    Offers a wide selection of craft lagers, cider and real ales from local breweries. There is also the gin bar in the courtyard holding a remarkable selection of gins.

    The Lock Stock & Barrell

    Traditional and family friendly pub with a terrace beside the River Kennet, serving fresh food and superb beer and cider.

Travel

  • Trains

    Newbury to London Paddington in around 1 hour. There are faster trains at peak times of day that reach Paddington in around 40 mins.

  • Other Transport

    Newbury lies on the M4/A34 corridor so opens up immediate access to both the East/West & North/South routes, including easy access to both the M25 & the M3. Bus routes from villages just north of Newbury are excellent and frequent on a daily basis.