Bucklebury is a village in West Berkshire, the original village is on the banks of the River Pang, with a common to the south of this and a large residential area in Upper Bucklebury.

It is well known for it’s Royal connections.

The Village has throughout its history been chosen as a peaceful haven to escape from the main clamours of town and city life.

Few people had heard of the small village until April 2011, when suddenly the news was full of one family from the village - the Middletons. 

Catherine Middleton had been the longtime girlfriend of Prince William and they were married on April 29, 2011.

This is an extremely sought-after location due to its rural, yet extremely convenient position.

Local amenities in the villages of Upper Bucklebury and Cold Ash include village shops, church, primary school and highly regarded pubs, the Cottage Inn and the Bladebone.

The village halls host many events throughout the year and there are tennis courts, tennis club, a BMX track, and children`s playgrounds.

The area provides endless opportunities for scenic walks and country pursuits.

Stanford Dingley is a short distance by car with its famous 16th century pubs, The Old Boot Inn and The Bull Inn.

There is a health centre 2 minutes away in Chapel Row.

The property is positioned with extremely convenient road links to the M4 and A4.

Heathrow airport is an hour`s drive.

There are train stations within easy reach at Thatcham and Pangbourne giving good commuter access to Reading and London Paddington.

It is a short drive to Newbury with its excellent shopping centre, leisure facilities and the well-known Newbury Racecourse.

Schools: There is a primary school at both Upper Bucklebury, Cold Ash and Bradfield.

Within the catchment for Kennet secondary school catchment which is Ofsted rated Outstanding.

Excellent schools abound within easy driving distance to include; Bradfield College, Pangbourne College, Downe House, St Andrew`s Preparatory School, Cranford House, Moulsford Preparatory School for Boys, The Oratory School, Brockhurst & Marlston House Preparatory School & Elstree Preparatory School.

Bucklebury Common Nature reserve, is one of the largest commons in Berkshire and home to a rich variety of wildlife.

 AMENITIES & FACILITIES

There are two halls within the parish, the Memorial Hall and the Victory Room.

The Memorial Hall is located in Upper Bucklebury and has three rooms which can be hired.

There is carpet bowls, yoga, pilates, adult ballet classes and sitting  exercise organizes on a regular basis and links with  a horticultural society and sewing club.

There is also Bucklebury Farm and Deer Safari park, which has plenty going on for families.

The is also peach’s Stores, L Interiors and post office facilities at All Saints Church.

There is a history Group, Mahjong Group, Toddler Group, Ladies Club and West Berkshire Countryside society.

St Martin’s Club is for the over 60 residents of Bucklebury.

 FOOD & DRINK

 The Bladebone  was so named in 1666 when a Bladebone of a mammoth was sealed within copper and hung above the door.

There is a Blackbird café with homemade treats, savouries, coffees and teas and an Honesty café at Bucklebury farm .

 SPORTS

There is a Bucklebury Tennis Club and Bucklebury Wolves Football Club for children aged 5- 13.

There is also a Badminton Club, Cricket Club, Bucklebury guides and  Bucklebury Walkers.

  SCHOOLS

There is a Bucklebury C of E Primary School in Upper Bucklebury.

Bucklebury is a school that believes in the whole child.

Their approach to education is rooted in the Christian values of love, faith and hope.

They endeavour to know every child, enabling personalised provision that is exceptionally delivered.

  HEALTH

Local GP services are provided at the Chapel Row Surgery.

Chapel Row Surgery
The Avenue
Bucklebury
Berkshire
RG7 6NS

Tel: 0118 971 3252 (Main switchboard)

Email: ChapelRowSurgery@nhs.net

COMMUNICATION

The Oaks is published by Bucklebury Parish Council 3 times a year – February, May and October, and is distributed free to all households in Bucklebury Parish.

The website is Bucklebury Parish Council.

CHURCH

The Church of St Mary the Virgin  was built in the 11^thcentury.

The parishes of Bucklebury with Marlston, Bradfield and Stanford Dingley are a group of rural parishes with six very different church buildings, each with its own congregation and distinct styles of worship, with a collective name of 2bsd and is part of the Oxford Diocese.

TRANSPORT

Here is a community bus for Bucklebury residents.

 PARISH COUNCIL

Bucklebury Parish Council consists of 11 elected representatives representing the different wards within Bucklebury Parish.

Councillors are elected every 4 years.

 ENVIRONMENT

The Parish of Bucklebury, comprising of 2200 hectares, lies wholly within the North Wessex Downs’ “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

The West Berkshire Countryside Group group combines the aims and objectives of the Pang and Kennet Valleys Countryside Projects, the Bucklebury Heathland Conservation Group and the Pang Valley Conservation Volunteers.

It has been set up to represent all of the people who care about the countryside throughout West Berkshire.

Bucklebury Common was once an area of extensive heathland with large areas of heather and gorse.

It was the home of nightjars, woodlarks and reptiles.

When grazing stopped in the 1920’s the Common became overgrown with silver birch and scots pine and the heather and wildlife declined.

The Bucklebury Heathland Conservation Group was originally set up in 1992 to restore part of the Common to heathland and since then they have cleared and maintained about 60 acres in an area east of Upper Bucklebury and south of the Upper Bucklebury to Chapel Row road.

As a result, the nightjars and woodlarks have come back and they sometimes see an Adder.

The site is owned by the Bucklebury Estate and the conservation work is carried out with their kind permission.

They meet on the second Saturday or Sunday of each month between September and March with occasional extra workdays to continue the battle to keep the area open and to expand it if possible.

BUCKLEBURY| WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES | BUCKLEBURY | HISTORY

The earliest recorded reference to Bucklebury relates to the 10th century (956 AD) when King Edwig granted wood from Hawkridge to rebuild Abingdon Abbey.

Bucklebury is mentioned in the Domesday Book when it was part of the royal hunting grounds and boasted of two manors.

The Romans settled in this area and remains of their dwellings have been found within the Parish.

Bucklebury village church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the 11th century.

It was not until the 12th century that it became part of Reading Abbey possessions by means of an exchange of properties with St Alban’s Abbey.

The village provided peace, tranquillity, and a beautiful location for the Abbot to build his house.

The fishponds, which were constructed at that time to provide a food source, still exist today.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the manor was sold to the Winchcombe family in 1540.

It and the surrounding hamlets gradually expanded and prospered under the stewardship of this family.

By the 19th century villagers had benefited from the freedom of access to the Common only to see this threatened by the Enclosures Act.

John Morton, a tenant farmer and local lay preacher, fought and won the battle with parliament to keep the Common protected from ‘Enclosure’ and hence it still remains open today to both Commoners and visitors alike.

• Bucklebury Memorial Hall
• The Bladebone
• Bucklebury Farm & Deer Safari
• The Blackbird Cafe
• Bucklebury Wolves
• Bucklebury Tennis Club
• Badminton Club
• Bucklebury Guides
• Bucklebury Walkers
• History Group
• Horticultual Society
• Mahjon Group
• St Martin's Club
• Toddler Group
• Tuesday Ladies Club
• West Berkshire Countryside Society
• Chapel Row Surgery
• Community Bus
• The Victory Room
• Parish Council
• Website
• Bucklebury Common
• School
• Church