Located in West Berkshire, Bucklebury is a village with a population of around one thousand. It is situated about five miles north-east of Newbury. There is a wide range of things to see and do in the area.
History
During the twelfth century, the Benedictine monks of Reading Abbey laid out a garden on the site of Bucklebury Manor. Three fishponds were created in the grounds. One is still in use today, and another has been re-established in Upper Bucklebury.
There was also a chapel of ease at Marston in the twelfth century, which was still in use in the 1920s. It was given to the Hospital of St. John and was later included in the general revenues of the abbey.
The Winchcombe family of Bucklebury remained catholic after the reformation. One of the family, Richard Warde, was buried in the churchyard. Another member of the family, Lieut. JamesTurpin, joined the NSR.
Bucklebury is a civil parish in Berkshire. The parish includes Marlstone and Hawkridge. It has a population of approximately 2116. The parish contains over 1,500 acres of plantations, woods and arable land. It is in the West Berkshire district.
Commons
Located ten miles west of Reading, Bucklebury Common is a nature reserve. The area contains 334 hectares (860 acres) of woodland and heathland, including the large, renowned Avenue of Oaks at Chapel Row.
Bucklebury Common is one of the largest areas of heathland in Berkshire. The heathland is made up of a mix of open heath and broad-leaved woodland.
Bucklebury Common is owned by the Bucklebury Estate, and is open to the public through the Scheme of Management. The Bucklebury Common Advising Committee meets biannually. It is made up of representatives from the Estate. This committee is responsible for the management of the common, including restoration and woodland management.
In the early 19th century, a number of allotments were created in Bucklebury. The village was a centre of local industry, mainly focused on wood trades. Several allotments remain in use today.
Farm park
Located near Bucklebury, Bucklebury Farm Park is a 70 acre farm that is home to a variety of animals including sheep, goats, alpacas, and deer. The park has a number of outdoor and indoor play areas. The park also has a cafe, a deer park, and a guinea pig village.
The park is owned and operated by Rupert and Elizabeth Hartley Russell. Previously, the park was a working farm. It is now home to several farm animals, including several varieties of sheep, pigs, goats, and calves.
One of the park’s newest additions is the jumping pillow. This is a fun activity for younger children. The park also has several other fun attractions including a tractor ride, an obstacle course, and a children’s play area. There is also a restaurant with an outdoor patio and indoor seating. There are also several holiday lodges and cottages available for visitors to explore.
Houses of interest
Located in the Berkshire countryside, Bucklebury is a small village with a population of approximately 2,000. It is situated on the River Pang, about five miles northeast of Newbury. There are several houses of interest to visit in Bucklebury. These include Bucklebury Manor, which is a Georgian mansion on Pease Hill. It is a Grade II listed building.
Bucklebury Manor is the former home of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Its interior has an early C17 ashlar fireplace and an over mantel with shallow carved decoration. A moulded flat arch and Delft type glazed tiles are also found in the house.
Bucklebury is a popular tourist destination. It is well known for its associations with the Second Battle of Newbury. It is also the site of a number of country homes.
Local pubs
Located in a picturesque valley between Stanford Dingley and Bucklebury, the Old Boot Inn is one of the hidden gems of the county. It’s a 17th century country pub that serves local fish and game. The Old Boot has also been awarded two CAMRA awards.
The Cottage Inn, which is owned by award-winning community pub company Hawthorn Leisure, has been supporting the Tour de Berkshire for seven years. The pub is in a prime position to welcome the 336 riders of the upcoming cycle tour. The establishment has also played its part in the local community, offering an acre field for a training session. The pub has also been the recipient of the award for best community pub in West Berkshire five times.
Another notable local is the Cow & Cask, located near Newbury train station. The pub has won several awards for its food and drink over the years, including the Food Award of Excellence.