Recommendations

Good food, great places, super shopping, wonderful countryside, easy access...tell us about your visit to Newbury and surrounding area, email us at tourism@westberks.gov.uk.

Recommendations from local residents... 

Mike Robinson, celebrity chef who runs the Pot Kiln at Frilsham has lived in the area for his whole life, "I grew up in Bucklebury and was at school in Brockhurst and Bradfield, so this is my manor! I'll never leave this area. It's perfect. It's got everything; lovely countryside, wildlife, access to London and the North. It couldn't be better."

Jon Snow, journalist and presenter of Channel Four news describes his love of rural life in West Berkshire  "Not much more than 60 miles from London, single track roads, sheep on the hills, rolling downs, can you beat it? Can many capital cities in the world boast such an escape as West Berkshire?"

Recommendations from history...

Daniel Defoe, English writer, journalist and author of many books including Robinson Crusoe, wrote of Newbury in his Tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain published in three volumes from 1724 to 1726, "We pursued the Great road and arrived at Newbury, situated in a most fruitful plain and watered by the River Kennet which is made navigable up to the town. This place is noted for good Trout and Crayfish and all sorts of provisions at a very reasonable expense. Part of Newbury is also known by the name of Spinhamlands, it is noted, for two or three good Inns where travelers are well accommodated.'

Recommendations from the media...

The Sunday Times, March 2010, "The races brings in the crowds, clamour and colour to Newbury, but in between it retains a market town feel with a busy calendar of other events. The town is surrounded on three sides by the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and being just ten minutes from the A34/M4 crossroads means great accessibility."

Berkshire Life, May 2008, "Newbury - It's got bags of history, pretty scenery, lots of great, independent shops and some very good restaurants - so what are you waiting for?"