Newbury is a beautiful market town in West Berkshire. It lies on the Berkshire Downs which is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of outstanding natural beauty, 3 miles north of the Hampshire–Berkshire county boundary. It is a town with a lot going on within it and a rich history which leads there to being many Newbury facts. 

Within this article, we are going to talk about five fascinating Newbury facts that show what Newbury has to offer. 

A Town with a Rich Historical Tapestry

Newbury dates back to the Mesolithic period. The Mesolithic period, or Middle Stone Age as it is often called, dates back to 15,000 to 5,000 years BP (Before Present). Artefacts were recovered in Newbury that date back to this time period, allowing us to know that there was a settlement in the same area during this time. 

Newbury was officially founded in the 11th Century, following the Norman Conquest as a new borough, which is where it gets its name. 

The town also had royal connections and was visited by King John and Henry III. Newbury’s royal connections have also led it to being the site of battles, including the First Battle of Newbury. This battle took place as part of the First English Civil War in 1643 between a Royalist army, under the personal command of King Charles, and a Parliamentarian force led by the Earl of Essex. There was a second battle, unsurprisingly called the Second Battle of Newbury, that took place in almost the exact same location as the first, just over one year later. This was, again, part of the First English Civil War and was, again, a fight between the Royalist and the Parliamentarian forces. 

Newbury is a town with a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It has seen royal visitors but also royal battles. It is an intriguing place to visit or live. 

Home to Highclere Castle, the Real Downton Abbey

Newbury also has a major claim to fame as it is home to Highclere Castle, the filming location for the much-loved, Downton Abbey. 

Located just south of Newbury, first mentions the estate date back to 749 when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishop of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful mediaeval palace and gardens in the park. Later on, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House in 1679 when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, the direct ancestor of the current Earl of Carnarvon, who now owns and lives within the castle. It was in 1842 when it became the castle it is today, transformed by Sir Charles Barry. 

With its modern day fame as the location for Downton Abbey, it is a very popular place to visit with events on year round, allowing people to bask in the beauty and the magic of being in the castle that they know so well from watching the show. 

A Hub for Horse Racing Enthusiasts

Newbury is also a hub for horse racing enthusiasts as it is home to one of the UKs leading horse racing venues, Newbury Racecourse. The racecourse opened in 1905 and yet horse racing had already been taking place in Newbury for 100 years, starting with ‘Newbury Races’, an annual two-day race meeting at Enborne Heath. 

The racecourse has races on most weeks and it is also home to major horsing events such as the Hennessy Gold Cup. 

Boasts a Thriving Technology Sector

Newbury has been known for some time as a thriving tech sector. Back in 2018 it was dubbed the UK’s Silicon Valley by The Independent as many tech workers were moving to the town. This was due to the huge growth in the technology sector which has continued to grow. Newbury is even home to the global headquarters of Vodafone and it has a higher ‘digital density’ than anywhere else in the UK as companies begin to leave London. 

With more and more tech companies moving into the area, including start-up businesses, this can only have a positive effect on the economic growth of the town.  

Surrounded by Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities

Newbury is located in West Berkshire and it lies on the Berkshire Downs which is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of outstanding natural beauty. It is an ideal place to visit or live if you are a nature lover and enjoy outdoor activities such as walking, cycling or visiting nature reserves.

The Chase is a beautiful, quiet nature reserve that is situated on Woolton Hill, just south of Newbury town centre. 

Facts About Newbury

Newbury is a fascinating place and there are many facts about Newbury that prove this. It is a notable destination for history buffs, technology workers, outdoor enthusiasts and televisions lovers alike. 

We hope our article has encouraged you to to come and explore Newbury for yourself so you can discover its rich history, cultural significance and beautiful surroundings for yourself.