There's lots to do in West Berkshire whether you are here for a holiday, short break or just have a few hours away from the office. All the activities listed on this page are within a short drive of Wendy's Bed and Breakfast. If you want suggestions on what to do, driving directions or opening times please ask Wendy who is always glad to help you.

Newbury is probably best known for Newbury Racecourse which is one of the best courses in the country catering for both flat and over jumps. There are 32 race days in 2009, check the fixture list at www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk. The most prestigious race is the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Saturday November 28th which is part of the Winter Festival starting on Thursday November 26th.

For those interested in the English Civil War a visit to Donnington Castle is a must. The remains of this 14th century castle still strikes as an impressive position as they must have done to Cromwell's attacking armies during the two battles for Newbury in 1643 and 1644.

Closer to the Bed and Breakfast is Hungerford a pretty little market town with some charming buildings and a wonderful array of antiques shops. Hungerford and District Community Arts Festival (HADCAF) is on from the 3rd to the 26th July 2009. Hungerford is also on the Kennet and Avon canal which stretches from Bath to Reading and is fully navigable along its route. The Kennet and Avon offers a wonderful opportunity for walking and cycling along the tow path, and is closest to Wendy's in Kintbury where you can also take horse drawn barge trips. Another fascinating visit along the canal is to the Crofton Pumping Station which has a working steam beam engine, just make certain you visit on a "steaming day" so phone Wendy's Bed and Breakfast before you book for dates.

Walking

There are plenty of walks in the local area and there is a very active Ramblers group. Try these major walks or ask us about details of local walks, we have everything to suit:

• Take the Lambourn Valley Way, starting at Uffington hill fort, through Lambourn and the valley of the race horse, Great Shefford, Boxford and then into Newbury.
• The Ridgeway National Trail through the Vale of the White Horse near Wantage and Uffington hill fort.
• In February visit the snowdrop fields along a bubbling stream at Welford Park a 10 minute walk from St. Swithins (check with us for times).
• Go up the highest chalk hill in England and visit the iron age hill fort at Walbury, a Neolithic long barrow and Combe gibbet where a man and his mistress were hanged on a double gibbet in 1676 for the murder of his wife and children.
• Along the Kennet and Avon Canal.
• Up Beacon Hill, Burghclere.
• Or just visit the disused Welford Park Railway Station, a pleasant 2 mile round trip from the bed and breakfast.
• Are you a geocacher? There are over 150 caches of all types nearby, a recent visitor made a 123 finds in a week. See www.geocache.co.uk.

Suggestions for indoors

• The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norris.
• West Berkshire Museum housed in the 17th century Cloth Hall and Granary in the old wharf.
• Basildon Park a beautiful, grand 18th-century Palladian mansion where the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice was shot.
• Or visit the Egyptian Exhibition Celebrating the work of Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter who discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun at the spectacular country residence Highclere Castle. 

Artistic Events

• The Watermill Theatre - repertory in a wonderful setting throughout the year.
• The Corn Exchange and New Greenham Arts provides all types of art forms from stand-up, through drama and dance to contemporary performance.
• The Newbury Comedy Festival is in July.
• The 31st International Newbury Spring Festival 9th to 23rd May 2009. A glorious fortnight of world class music in Newbury and its beautiful neighbouring villages, where international symphony orchestras, ensembles and soloists rub shoulders with jazz legends, world music artists and the stars of tomorrow.
• Open Studios throughout May you can visit over 80 artists in their own workshops.

Local Churches

St. Swithun's Church, Wickham has an impressive Anglo-Saxon tower and is worth visiting for the paper-mache elephants (brought from the Paris Exhibition of 1845) which look down from the beams.

St. Gregory's Church, Welford has a beautiful 13 Century spire on a Norman round tower as well as many fascinating things to see.

These two churches are in the same benefice along with several other pretty churches. Contact the Bed and Breakfast for service times of these and other denomination churches.

Golf Courses

• Donnington Grove Country Club
• Donnington Valley Golf Club
• The West Berkshire Golf Club
• Newbury Racecourse Golf Club
• Deanwood Park Golf Club
• Newbury and Crookham Golf Club

There's lots to do and see in Newbury and Hungerford and within easy reach of Wendy's Bed and Breakfast. Phone us for more information.

Note that all the links above are external, please see our policy.

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Last modified: 02/08/08