Newbury is one of the most desirable places to live in Berkshire. It has a great deal of history, events on year round and many charming residential areas. There are many villages near Newbury that are equally as charming and, as they are in close proximity to Newbury, you can also enjoy all that Newbury has to offer.
Within this article, we are going to talk you through our top five towns and villages near Newbury, letting you know what they have on offer and why they are such a great place to live.
Greenham – A Perfect Blend of Nature and History
Greenham is a village near Newbury, which has a rich history. Its church, St Mary’s, dates back to the late 19th Century and is now classed as a Grade II listed building.
St Mary’s also played a role in helping Greenham live up to its name as being a very green area of Newbury. Audrey’s Meadow is a 4.9 acre nature reserve, which was opened by the church. Along with this, there is also Greenham Common. Once an RAF base, it is now a haven for wildlife.
Newbury Racecourse is within the northern border of the village and its railway provides transport links to Newbury, Bedwyn and Paddington.
This village near Newbury will be a wonderful place to live for anyone who wants a quieter life, surrounded by nature.
Speen – Ideal for Families and Outdoor Activities
Speen is a village very near to Newbury, with it being only two miles from Newbury. The village is situated on a Saxon hilltop settlement that developed alongside the road between Thatcham and Hungerford, long before Newbury was ever thought of.
There are many excellent schools in Speen, ranging from Outstanding to Good in their Ofsted rating, making Speen an excellent choice for people with children. There are also many family friendly recreational opportunities such as going on a visit to Northcroft Lido, which is located in the Northcroft Leisure Centre.
Shaw – Where Modern Meets Rural Charm
Shaw is a village near Newbury that has a great deal of rural charm mixed with modern housing. It is the home of Shaw Valley, a housing development that contains 179 houses, each that has been built with contemporary living in mind whilst retaining the character of the surrounding area by using a broad mix of materials to build each home.
There is a wonderful balance in the village between modern living and its rural landscape. And with it being so close to Newbury, you will have many amenities and shops just a short walk away.
Wash Common – The Commuter’s Dream
Wash Common is a small village near Newbury and it was built on the former Newbury Wash, which was flat open heathland overlooking Newbury. Up until the 19th century there was just a small group of houses separated from Newbury by open country.
It is not far from the M4 and it is also a very easy and quick trip to London. It is an excellent part of Newbury to live in if you are needing to commute into the capital regularly, for work or for pleasure.
Thatcham – A Historic Town with a Vibrant Community
Thatcham is a beautiful market town near Newbury, with a rich, deep history. Its history actually dates back all the way to prehistoric times, with evidence of occupation at this time. It was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest claimant to being the oldest continuously inhabited place in Britain as the well-preserved remains of a mesolithic settlement, dating from 8400 to 7700 BCE, have been found in its vicinity. There is also evidence also exists of Bronze and Iron Age settlements and of Romano-British activity.
With it being a market, there is, of course, a weekly market. Held on The Broadway, it takes place every Friday, with food stalls, pet shop stalls and much more. If you love browsing a market and feeling a part of a small, yet bustling community, Thatcham will be an excellent place to live for you.
Where To Live Near Newbury?
There are many beautiful villages near Newbury but these are our top five – Greenham, Speen, Shaw, Wash Common and Thatcham. Each is uniquely its own but they are all filled with rural charm and community spirit.
Newbury is a beautiful part of the UK and we are sure that you will find the perfect part of it that you want to call home.
If you do plan to move to Newbury or the surrounding area soon, our self storage in Newbury will be able to help. Please give us a call on: 01635 953 900 or click here to find out more.