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Hungerford,
a small historic market town, stands on the River Dun in the
Kennet Valley.
The westernmost
town in Berkshire, Hungerford lies close to the Wiltshire
border and within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.
Hungerford
dates from Saxon times and much of the town has remained unchanged
for centuries.
Many
of the town's medieval timber-framed buildings have Georgian
facades that are worth a look. Hungerford was once a coaching
stop on the Old Bath Road (A4) and several coaching inns can
still be seen.
Other
important transport routes passing through the town are the
Kennet and Avon Canal and the West of England Main Line railway,
and junction 14 on the M5 motorway is just 5 minutes away.
Because
of its good transport links with Newbury, Reading and London,
Hungerford has developed as a dormitory town.
Known
for its antique shops, Hungerford also has a range of small
independent shops and eating places and many welcoming pubs.
The sleepy
Berkshire town is now known as the site of one of the worst
peacetime atrocities in UK history. In 1987 Michael Ryan,
an unemployed local labourer, shot and killed 16 people including
his mother and injured 15 others. He then shot fatally shot
himself.
Hungerford
is surrounded by open common land, rich in flora and fauna.
The town is also a good spot from which to explore the Berkshire
Downs and the canals whether by foor or on a boat trip.
The waterfront
between Hungerford Bridge and the Lock is very attractive,
with trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Dunmill Lock
aboard the traditionally painted motorised barge 'Rose of
Hungerford'.
At Kintbury,
a charming village three miles from the town, horse-drawn
barges provide pleasure trips for visitors along the canal.
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Hungerford
