|
The busy
market town of Newbury lies on the River Kennet, and
to the north, west and south, is surrounded by the North Wessex
Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In
the south, downland rises from the river valley providing
wonderful views.
Newbury
was founded in the 11th century and acquired the name 'new'
because it was one of many new towns established after the
Norman Conquest of 1066.
The
valley of the River Kennet has provided an important east-west
transport route for the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Great Western
Railway and the A4 London to Bristol Road (now replaced as
a long-distance route by the M4).
The Kennet
and Avon Canal now offers attractive walks to visitors and
locals along the towpath either towards Hungerford or Reading.
Boat
trips are also available and information on these can be obtained
from the visitor centre at Aldermaston Wharf. The
West
Berkshire Museum is located on the Wharf near the heart
of the town. In this delightful 17th century building, originally
the Old Cloth Hall, you can step back in time and discover
how the local people once lived.
Beside
the Museum is the Newbury Tourist Information Centre, housed
in the Old Granaries, a 17th century building, with its galleried
upper storey, dates from the time of Charles II.
Newbury
is a thriving cultural centre. The Corn
Exchange, in an historic building in the market place,
is a popular arts centre offering a varied programme including
classical concerts, pantomines, films and exhibitions.
The New
Greenham
Arts Centre is a small vibrant arts centre on the old
air base at Greenham Common.
Nestling
beside the River Lambourn at Bagnor is the charming Watermill
Theatre. This friendly venue, seating 200, presents a
number of new productions a year.
The Desmoulin
Gallery, set beside the Kennet and Avon Canal, is housed
in one of the oldest buildings in Newbury. A contemporary
art gallery, it has an ever-changing collection of art and
artifacts by local artists.
Newbury
is famous for horse racing.
Newbury Racecourse offers some of the finest horse racing
on both the flat and over jumps. In November the racecourse
hosts one of the jump season's most prestigious races: the
Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup. The racecourse stands on the south-east
boundary of the town on Greenham Common.
This
area is infamous as the site of the Greenham Common Air Force
Base. Established in World War II, the base was later home
to US Air Force bombers and tankers and was one of only two
bases in the UK equipped with Ground Launched Cruise Missiles.
From 1981 - 2000 a large number of women occupied a peace
camp at Greenham Common to protest against the presence of
nuclear weapons on UK soil. With the ending of the Cold War
the base was closed and much of the site was restored to heathland.
In 2002 a peace garden was created just outside the Main Street
entrance to New Greenham Common to commemorate the Greenham
Common Women's Peace Camp.
To the
west of the town on Combe down are the remains of the Iron
Age Walbury Hill Fort. At 974ft (279m), this is the highest
point in South East England and from here there are panoramic
views of the surrounding countryside. Nearby stands Combe
Gibbet, the wooden gibbet, replaced several times over the
centuries, marks the site of a double hanging in 1676.
Surrounding
Newbury are a number of historic buildings. In the village
of Donnington, just north of Newbury, stands Donnington
Castle. Four miles south of Newbury is Highclere
Castle.
Perched
on the Berkshire Downs at Lanbourn, near Newbury, is Ashdown
House ( in Oxfordshire).
Welford
Park, a delightful Queen Anne house near Newbury, has
beautiful gardens, famous for their magnificent display of
snowdrops in the early spring. The gardens are also open
in early summer. Tours of the private residence are available
if booked in advance.
In the
rural village of Hampsted Norrey, north-east of Newbury, stands
the Living
Rainforest. This living ecosystem is both an exciting
day out and important educational resource for schools. One
of the first centres of its kind in Europe, the Living Rainforest
gives visitors the chance to wander through a growing rainforest
under glass. There are over 600 species of plants, along
with reptiles, birds and butterflies.
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
Newbury
