Saddlebacks Farm Shop | All change at Saddlebacks
The village is in a rural elevated spot on the Berkshire Downs.
It is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the surrounding countryside gives access to beautiful walking, riding and cycling opportunities.
There is an active local community, and in the village itself there is a primary school and pre-school, a church and a sports and recreational ground.
Saddleback Farm Shop and café is situated just on the edge of the village, and there are pubs in nearby Chaddleworth and Peasemore.
A wider range of facilities can be found in the market towns of Hungerford, Wantage and Newbury, as well as Oxford and Reading.
Communications in the area are very good with train services from Didcot, Hungerford and Newbury into London Paddington, and there is easy access to the A34 and M4 (J13) linking with London, Heathrow Airport and the west country.
There is a wide choice of schools in the area, including Brightwalton primary school in the village, The Downs School at Compton, Elstree, Brockhurst and Marlston, Horris Hill, Downe House, Radley College, Bradfield College and St Gabriel’s.
AMENITIES AND FACILITIES
There is a large village hall, with two rooms.
There is a Facebook page. It is disabled friendly, there is a kitchen and a car park with a Park boasting outstanding views and a children’s play area.
It is the venue for all kinds of functions and can seat up to 150.
There is preschool and every Tuesday night there is circuit training.
The hall is available for hire.
There is a telephone box library- bring a book, take a book.
The Downland Gardening Club meets on the third Monday of each month, coffee, biscuits, raffle and chat, social events, with regular guest speakers’ mail: lea.naples@motionlink.co.uk
The Berkshire Young Farmers club meet at Brightwalton Village Hall alternative Wednesdays. Contact is by email sheffordyfc@hotmail.co.uk.
There is also the Brickleton babes(0-4 years) and Pre School (3-5 yrs).
The Village Hall, Common Lane, Brightwalton, Newbury, Berkshire. RG20 7 DH
FOOD AND DRINK
Saddlebacks is a popular farm shop serving Food and Drink and a host of local food.
SCHOOLS
Brightwalton C of E Primary School.
The school has a Good Ofsted rating.
SPORTS
Circuit Training runs every Tuesday night in the village hall from 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm. £2 a session.
Brightwalton has an established cricket team, based at the village hall and enjoying friendly Sunday afternoon games.
The chairman is Nigel Smith at smith1183@btinternet.com.
COMMUNICATION
There is a village website and the Brickleton news.
CHURCH
All Saint’s Church is part of the Downland Benefice – there is currently a vacancy.
HEALTH
The local doctors are the Downland Practice.
TRANSPORT
There is a local bus service.
The handibus bus operates in Brightwalton and the Downland Volunteer Group. Tel: 01635 578394.
BRIGHTWALTON | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES| HISTORY
In 2002 a beautiful book detailing the history of Brightwalton was written by June Osment, Sue Sayers, and Jean Stephens called “Brightwalton, A Downland Village”.
PYO Sunflowers Come and pick your own sunflowers in Brightwalton. Alternatively buy a bunch already packed ready to go. Refreshments also available …