Nestled in West Berkshire lies a quaint, idyllic village – Pangbourne.
Pangbourne is an exceptionally pleasant and well supported village.
Standing on the south side of the River Thames where it meets the Pang, Pangbourne lies between rolling Berkshire Downland to the South and the start of the Chiltern Hills to the North.
This thriving and active village is a focal point for the surrounding countryside and offers superb transport links with fast mainline railway service to Reading and London, Paddington (from 45 mins) with Crossrail allowing faster direct access to the City, Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow (there is a footpath at the end of Riverview Road leading directly to the station).
J12 of the M4 is only a short drive away.
As well as several award-winning independent shops, Pangbourne has excellent schools, both in the private and the state sector, a large modern Health and Medical Centre, riverside pubs and restaurants.
There are excellent sporting and leisure facilities and an active community with its own village magazine, and many societies and associations.
There are many country and riverside walks, with public footpaths and bridle ways giving access to miles of open countryside and the beautiful beech woods of the Chiltern Hills.
Outside its grouped developed area is an independent school, Pangbourne College.
Originally the old Smithy, was the one time home of Kenneth Grahame.
He died here in 1932 and his funeral took place in the adjoining church, although the burial was in Oxford.
Grahame did not write Wind in the Willows in Pangbourne.
However the rolling River Thames was probably the inspiration for E. H. Shepherd’s beautiful illustrations.In the famous book Three Men in a Boat, the characters finish their travels at The Swan pub, which is thought to be the same local watering house that remains in Pangbourne to this day.
Jimmy Page moved to Pangbourne in the 1960’s and the following year he met Robert Plant there and the two decided to form the iconic Led Zeppelin with John Paul Jones and John Bonha.
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: AMENITIES AND FACILITIES
The village hall has two halls.
The Main Hall is used by the local community and visitors for a wide range of activities including receptions, children’s parties, music and theatre shows, antique fairs, play groups and fitness classes.
The Small Hall is ideal for committees and business meetings, smaller parties or classes.
The two halls are linked and can be hired together. Both halls have kitchen facilities and WiFi.
There is a small amount of designated village hall parking at the rear of the building and parking in the main car park is free during evenings.
There is a choral society at Pangbourne College. Pilates, Rotary Club, Oddfellows, band, college, scouts, playgroup, drama group, natural history club and a nature reserve.
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: FOOD & DRINK
There is a wide range of places to eat and drink.
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: SPORTS
Pangbourne Barbarians FC play at Pangbourne Recreation ground.
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: SCHOOL
There is a primary school. Pangbourne College is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11-18 in West Berkshire.Â
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: COMMUNICATION
There is a website
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES:CHURCH
There is St James the Less church were they hold traditional and contemporary worship here as well as events and celebrations.Â
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: HEALTH
The local doctor’s are at The Boathouse Surgery
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: TRANSPORT
The 143.
There is also a volunteer minibus service.
In return for a donation towards their costs, they can help with transport to hospital, the doctors, opticians, dentist and the shops.
The service is for people of all ages, not just the elderly.
Bookings are taken by telephone, every Monday to Friday, 9.30-11.00am Tel No: 01635 578394.
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: THE PARISH COUNCIL
There is a Parish Council
PANGBOURNE | WEST BERKSHIRE VILLAGES: LOCAL HISTORY
Where there’s Wind in the Willows
The Roman road from Silchester to Dorchester-on-Thames runs through Pangbourne parish somewhere and signs of Roman occupation have been uncovered on Shooters’ Hill.
Pangbourne means Paega’s People’s Stream, showing that it was the home of an early Anglo-Saxon chieftain of that name and his retinue.
The place is first recorded in a grant of land there to Bertwulf, the King of Mercia (the Midlands) in AD 844.
The monarch is therefore prominently depicted on the village sign near the village hall.
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