Berkshire
Move to Berkshire
In the county of Berkshire some excellent villages are found between Windsor and Maidenhead. With fast trains and homes with seven figure price tags, these spots are well established commuter pockets, but are out of the price range for many homehunters. This area, popular though it is, might not feel sufficiently ‘out in the country’. The solution is to look beyond the rather sprawling Slough and Reading to the independent district of West Berkshire. This county has some lovely rural villages to offer and property is not as pricey as further in. Much of the area is a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ known as ‘North Wessex Downs’. An unspoilt area with big skies and stunning views. The Kennet Valley with the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal is another feature of the county, and runs through the attractive market town of Newbury, the ancient small town of Hungerford and several pleasing villages on the way. Other villages, such as Lambourne with its horse racing associations are in the chalky upland area of the Berkshire downs.
There are several primary schools in these areas achieving strong SAT results and ‘good’ or even the coveted ‘outstanding’ OFSTED report. Berkshire retains some Grammar schools at secondary level and other state secondaries are generally well thought of.
The M4 runs through the centre of the county providing excellent road links and making it convenient for Heathrow so popular with airline pilots and their families as well as those flying regularly for business or pleasure. Good rail links into Paddington run through the southern half and along the eastern edge of West Berkshire.
Top Berkshire Villages and Towns
Around Newbury or Hungerford, Cold Ash, Woolhampton, Bucklebury, Yattendon, Frilsham, Upper Basildon, Compton, Goring, Streatley, Eastbury, Stanford Dingley, Lambourne, East Garston and Aldbourne are all West Berkshire villages worth investigating. Closer in Bray, Sonning-on-Thames, Holyport, Littlewick Green and Pinkneys Green can also be considered if you have the budget.
What part of Berkshire is right for you?
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Commute from Berkshire: Stations to London Paddington
Hungerford 1hr 4
Kintbury 1hr 14
Newbury 50mins
Newbury Racecourse 1hr 2
Midgham 57mins
Aldermaston 53mins
Theale 45mins
Reading West 39mins
Goring & Streatley 52mins
Pangbourne 46mins
Tilehurst 41mins
Reading 27mins
Twyford 31mins
Shiplake 42mins
Wargrave 39mins
Maidenhead 19mins
Slough 18mins
Windsor & Eaton Central 30mins
Inner Berkshire Commuter Stations to London Waterloo
Earley 1hr 19
Winnersh 1hr 15
Wokingham 1hr 10
Bracknell 1hr 4
Martins Heron 1hr 1
Ascot 56mins
Sunningdale 53mins
Longcross 1hr 9mins
Virginia Water 47mins
Journey times shown are for the fastest services available at useful times, additional services may have longer journey times so please check. National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.
Berkshire Life: Something for the weekend ...
- A visit to Highclear, the location used for ‘Downton Abbey’ is very popular.
- Or clamber up to tranquil Donnington Castle, a hilltop medieval ruin with stunning views.
- The Kennnet Valley runs through the ‘North Wessex Downs’ AONB and is beautiful walking country. For the very keen and able, you can start in Reading and follow the footpath all the way to Bath in Wiltshire.
- Perhaps chartering a boat on the River Kennet would be a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery.
- Berkshire is great riding country or visit the races at Newbury for a day out.
- The county show is always entertaining and the famous (and delicious) Berkshire Pig will be on display.
- Berkshire is great for Golfers with several top courses.
- Alternatively browse the antique shops of Hungerford
- Or take the kids to a farm park such as Bucklebury.
- Closer to London there are the attractions of Windsor and the Castle, Legoland, Virginia Waters and the Savill Gardens.
