Located between Woolhampton and Theale, Aldermaston is a small village with a local shop, pubs, post office, church, the Kennet & Avon Canal and more. The village also houses the private Cedars School and is in the catchment area of Aldermaston Church of England primary school.
A short car journey south will take you to Highclere Castle, best known as the setting for Downton Abbey. A further 20 minutes will see you at Vyne Park with its wild play trails.
The Hind’s Head
The Hind’s Head is a Michelin-starred restaurant set in an historic Tudor building with a quirky interior. The vibe is all about country lodge and coaching inn – think tweed, velvet and taxidermy but with the emphasis on top-notch service. The menu is eclectically British and while the prices aren’t cheap, you can choose from several set menus – the Mary (midweek dinner) PS25; the Elizabeth (everyday for lunch and weekends) PS45; and the Aleyn (Sunday and lunch) PS50.
Highclere Castle, the real-life location of Downton Abbey is close by as well as the famous Ironbridge, built in 1779 and spanning the river Severn. Other attractions include the Jackfield Tile Museum and the Darby family homes, which give an insight into life in the 18th & 19th centuries.
The Church
St Mary’s Church is vanilla on the outside and tutti-frutti on the inside, with wall paintings dating from the 13th, 14th, and Victorian periods. A 16th century alabaster tomb is also a feature. They welcome people of all ages to their services and even offer a toy corner for their youngest worshippers.
Aldermaston is a village and civil parish in Berkshire, England. It is situated in the Kennet Valley and borders Hampshire to the south. It is approximately 8 miles from Newbury, Basingstoke, and Reading.
The village is home to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), which develops, maintains, and disposes of the UK’s nuclear weapons. It is also the location of RAF Aldermaston, which served as a wartime airfield and later became a Ministry of Defence facility. A wide variety of wildlife can be found in the nearby North Wessex Downs, including a number of RSPB sites. There are also a number of pubs and restaurants in the area.
The Kennet & Avon Canal
The Kennet & Avon Canal runs right through the heart of Newbury, a wonderful way to enjoy its 87-mile journey from London in the east to Bristol in the west. Explore the pretty towpath with a picnic and let your wellbeing soar.
You can walk or cycle along the towpath, soaking up the summertime damselflies, butterflies and bird song. The canal offers a variety of things to do and there are several boat trips on offer too.
Canalside cafés and pubs are dotted around the towpath in quiet places like Honeystreet, charming Bradford on Avon and bustling Newbury. The canal also hosts events throughout the year such as the Great Western Beer & Cider Festival and the annual Newbury Food & Drink Fair.
Aldermaston has a village shop, post office and pubs, together with a cafe at the canal wharf. It is in the catchment for a choice of highly-rated schools including Cedars Primary School and St John’s College in Reading, and is less than 1 hour from London by fast train from Reading or Basingstoke.
Wasing Estate
The spectacular eco woodland venue hosts healing retreats enriched with nature immersion along with wellbeing festivals and restorative events. It is also a place for thought leaders, indigenous elders, game changers, creatives and activists to gather in an enchanting environment that is rich in beauty and abundance.
Located close to the Kennet & Avon Canal and Aldermaston Raceway, Aldermaston is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside with leisurely walks or track cycling. Alternatively, head to Newbury for shopping or the train station for fast connections to London.
The village’s local shop, pub and post office are all a short walk away from the town centre, while Aldermaston Church of England primary school and private Cedars Primary School serve local children. The village is also within the catchment area of the prestigious Willink secondary school. This unique new concert series is staged on Wasing Estate’s stunning natural amphitheatre, The Mount, featuring an incredible line-up of musicians including Gabriels on 21st June, Jack Johnson on 25th June, Primal Scream on 30th June, Ben Howard on 1st July and Sigur Ros on 2nd July.
