Welcome to the West Berkshire area guide which will highlight some key points on the area including details on the types of property, key towns, transport, education and leisure activities.
West Berkshire lies in the South just East of London and is majorly comprised of a rural landscape which provides residents with the quaintness of country life whilst being near to the hubbub of the city. The area is populated with an abundance of charming villages and market towns which are accompanied by stunning natural scenery; such as the North Wessex Downs which is classified as an Area of Natural Beauty.
West Berkshire is a great commuter spot for those working in London or Bristol; with the location being almost equidistant between the two. Strutt & Parker manages a great variety of properties in West Berkshire whether you’re looking for cottages, townhouses or farms and estates. Along with this, we offer a wealth of services in the area including residential sales, estate management, farming and professional valuations. Read on to discover more:
Things To Do In West Berkshire
West Berkshire in all its rural and traditional glory has many attractions weaving in between the stunning countryside and villages.
Farmers Markets
The town of Newbury hosts a Farmers’ Market twice a month on a Sunday allowing residents of West Berkshire to shop for quality food and groceries from local farmers and independent businesses. Events such as these bring the local community together and are altogether a welcoming, fun and friendly affair.
Visit The North Wessex Downs
The beautiful rolling hills of the North Wessex Downs closely surround the West Berkshire area. The downs is frequented by many walkers, cyclists and horse riders due to the huge variation of bridleways and routes carved out specifically for these activities. A number of heritage sites are also located around the area such as Barbury Castle Country Park which is an Iron Age Fort open to visitors in a stunning location.
Why We Love West Berkshire
View All
Lambourn is located at the heart of the Lambourn Valley, it’s a Parish Village with a regal history; King Alfred The Great owned land there and records seem to suggest he was born there too. Lambourn Downs sits near the town too, it is thought that this area provided inspiration for JRR Tolkien in the writings of The Lord of the Rings as he was a residence of Lambourn and was a frequent traveller of the hills and surrounding natural beauty.
Lying on the River Dun, Hungerford sits right at the edge of Berkshire right on the border of Wiltshire. With a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants, it holds a small-village charm with many talks, fairs and markets happening throughout the year. This cultural and community hubbub set to the Victorian and Georgian architecture that illustrates the town makes for a perfect spot to call home.
Farnborough is a small, picturesque village in the Berkshire downs. Many quaint country cottages populate the area which draws in many people looking for rural life. There are a wealth of beautiful spots around Farnborough, the Parish Church located in the town dates back to the 12th century, and elsewhere, a spot of silence and tranquillity can be found at The Old Rectory; a huge 4-acre garden populated by woodland – it was also the former residence of the poet John Betjeman.
Another beautiful and tranquil village in the Berkshire Downs, Kintbury is home to the Kennet and Avon Canal which provides stunning views to walkers and pub-goers alike. Kintbury has a cosy English village feel to it with independent shops, pubs and restaurants operating in and around the town. The town is also home to a Roman Bath House (a lot of Roman history surrounds the area) and a nature reserve.
West Berkshire is home to a huge amount of great secondary schools; The Willink School, which lies in the South of the region, is considered to be an excellent facility, as well as many independent schools such as Downe House, St Gabriel’s School and Pangbourne College. Elsewhere, the likes of Trinity School and Kennet School are also held in the same high regard.
The same goes for primary schools, Brimpton Church of England Primary School (located just outside of Newbury), Chieveley Primary School and Beenham Primary School are all featured in the top 20 of the school league tables for the area.
There are also a lot on offer for those seeking further education courses, Newbury College is the largest in the area (Reading College and Reading University is also nearby).
For a full and more comprehensive list of schools in the area, head to the Good Schools Guide.Many stations operate throughout the area connecting travellers to London and Bristol with ease including Newbury Station, Thatcham Station and Kintbury Station. Reading, Woking and Basingtoke station are also located nearby which each hold a number of excellent connections to London, Southerly regions and further nationwide destinations.
The M4 which runs all the way from London to Wales via Bristol and Bath cuts right through the heat of West Berkshire. Being situated at an almost equidistant point between London and Bristol has made the area a desirable commuter spot, with each destination being within just over an hour’s reach.