West Berkshire Community Connect - Newbury to the Northwest Downlands

This Monday to Friday bus service is a bit different. It is an on-demand service. You must pre book your seat on this service.

The bus can take you between the Newbury Zone and the Northwest Downlands Zone or you can travel just within the Northwest Downlands Zone. Further information about the service and the zones can be seen here: www.westberks.gov.uk/communityconnect. At the time of making your booking (by phone on number 01635 519650 / by email communityconnect@westberks.gov.uk or via the free app WB Community Connect) you will be given your estimated pick-up time which takes into account other bookings that have been made and the whereabouts of the bus. This service is complimented by the Community Connect A service (CCA) which operates one peak time morning and afternoon timetabled service between the Downs Villages and Newbury Town Centre. This service is not bookable.

The Northwest Downlands are in the North Wessex Downlands, an area of outstanding natural beauty. So, if you are wanting to get to beautiful countryside with walk routes, have a picnic / visit a village pub, this is the bus service for you. With this in mind, the web site of the Fox public House in Peasemore has the strap line, the country pub worth driving out for. We would say, the country pub worth bussing out for.

A lovely place to visit for walks and picnics is Snelsmore Common Country Park, https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/snelsmore-common-country-park. This is free to visit and is managed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust. The bus can take you to and from the entrance to the park on the B4494. As you explore the network of paths across the beautiful and varied heathland, look out for Exmoor and New Forest ponies grazing. Also, be sure to see the large pond which supports a breeding population of palmate newts (a protected species), and which is a biological site of special scientific interest. The park comes complete with the Snugg Café, picnic areas and public conveniences.

Donnington is best known for its castle, or to be exact, its castle ruins. The castle was attacked many times during the English Civil War, at one time enduring an eighteen-month siege. In 1646 all but the gatehouse was demolished. You can now walk and picnic around the castle remains. Two pubs are nearby, The Hartley Arms and the Castle Inn. Both recommended! In a pretty courtyard by the side of the Hartley Arms is an Honesty Coffee Shop serving coffee, tea, cakes, and lunches.

The Northwest Downlands offer a multitude of lovely countryside walks through picturesque villages boasting many thatched cottages. To pick out a few highlights in the villages:

Churches - Many villages have historic churches. St. Andrew's Church in Chaddleworth dates to 908AD. St. Mary's Church in Chieveley dates to the 13^th century. The interior of St. James Church in Leckhampstead, built in 1860, is of special interest for its vibrant use of polychromatic brickwork, both adventurous and amazing for its time. The churches in Beedon and Farnborough, St Nicholas and All Saints Church respectively, are both Grade 1 listed which is the highest grading for heritage sites, being of exceptional interest and significant national importance.
War Memorials - Brightwalton has West Berkshire's oldest first world war memorial, erected in 1916. This is a nationally recognised memorial, numbered 9054 on the National Inventory of War Memorials held by the Imperial War Museum. The war memorial in Leckhampstead is quite novel, using salvaged military items from the Great War to decorate the memorial. For example, the clock's hands are made from bayonets.

The small village of Fawley was the inspiration for the fictional village 'Marygreen' in Thomas Hardy's book Jude the Obscure. Jude's surname was Fawley. The village contains the depopulated small hill settlement of Whatcombe, which you can wander through and spot a number of ruins and historical sites.

Farnborough is another small village, not to be confused with the town with the same name in Hampshire. The Old Rectory here was built in 1749 and from 1941 to 1951 was the home of John Betjeman, Poet Laureate.

Pubs, Restaurants in the Northwest Downlands

Please check opening times if you wish to visit any of the places listed as some have limited opening times.

West Berkshire Community Connect - Newbury to the Northwest Downlands

Pubs, Restaurants in the Northwest Downlands

The Bunk Inn - Curridge

The Castle Inn - Donnington

The Crab & Boar - Near Chieveley

The Damson Restaurant - Winterbourne

The Fox - Peasemore

The Hartley Arms - Donnington

Honesty Cafe - Donnington

The Ibex Inn - Chaddleworth

Ye Olde Red Lion - Chieveley

The Snugg Café - Snelsmore Common

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