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Mail David
Newbury
Cloth Trading Capital of the South
Newbury
is closely associated with its Race Course. A major source of income and
publicity for the town, it plays host not only to race meetings but to
many other events besides. Less popular attractions include Greenham
Common to the south, once home of the American Forces in Britain and the
anti-nuclear protestors who followed them; and the infamous Newbury
By-Pass which, despite environmental concerns, has considerably eased
traffic congestion in the town.
Newbury was built on the cloth trade of Tudor England and its fine cloth was made World famous by the town's local hero, the wealthy merchant known as Jack O'Newbury. The facade of his timber-framed house can still be seen off North Brook Street, the main shopping thoroughfare in the town. He and his son rebuilt the enormous parish church of St. Nicholas in its present form and his memorial brass rests inside. The building is normally open to the public, sitting in a pleasant spot down by the River Kennet. Jack is traditionally said to have been married at the 15th century Litten Chapel of St. Bartholomew's Hospital in Argyle Road. This complex of monastic buildings became almshouses during the reformation, one of several notable examples around the town. The present structures date from 1618. Opposite is Bartholomew Manor where Jack may have died.
Further
memorials of Jack O'Newbury can be found in the West Berkshire Museum in
the bustling market place. This is housed in a picturesque old Jacobean
building, known as the 'Cloth Hall'. Chief amongst the Museum's
collections are finds from the sites of the two Civil War
Battles of
Newbury at Speen and Wash Common on the outskirts of the town. Nearby
Donnington Castle was placed under siege. Its ruins on a grassy hillside
make a popular park and picnic area for the townsfolk. The museum building
extends down Wharf Street to become the galleried 'Old Granaries,' home of
Newbury's well stocked tourist information centre. It reminds us of the
town's past reliance on river trade on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Barge
trips are still available today from Newbury Wharf.
Newbury is a good shopping centre of medium size with many High Street names and two small department stores. Don't miss the excellent second hand book shop hidden away (but sign-posted) off North Brook Street. There are a large number of pubs and several car parks scattered around the town's centre.
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