Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-nbsp">WHY?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A pretty market town with the kind of period drama that leaves the well-heeled weak at the knees. Hungerford is nestled in the North Wessex Downs, has rivers, ancient marshland, and a treasure trail of antique shops and fashion boutiques.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/yu-restaurant-retreat-elcot.jpeg" alt="retreat at elcot park" class="wp-image-60759" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/yu-restaurant-retreat-elcot.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/yu-restaurant-retreat-elcot-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/yu-restaurant-retreat-elcot-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/yu-restaurant-retreat-elcot-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Retreat at Elcot Park</figcaption></figure>



<p>Butcher, baker but no candlestick maker (as far as we know). Hungerford has a lot to keep you fed and watered. <a href="https://elianesmiles.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eliane</a> is a café offering healthy, indulgent food, <a href="https://www.cobbsfarmshops.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cobbs Farm Shop</a> has a popular kitchen café and farm shop. For pubs, the <a href="https://www.john-o-gaunt-hungerford.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John O Gaunt</a>, <a href="https://threeswanshotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Swans</a> and <a href="https://thedowngatepub.com/">Downgate</a> are all popular. There are also a couple of good Italians – <a href="https://amore-hungerford.co.uk/">Amore</a> and <a href="https://www.miofiore.co.uk/">Mio Fiore</a> – and <a href="https://www.thefunghiclub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Funghi Club</a> is your go-to for something French without being too fancy to eat in or takeaway. The stylish new hotel <a href="https://www.retreatelcotpark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Retreat at Elcot Park</a> has a few chic spots for coffee, lunch, or dinner too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>On the High Street, seek out Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://hungerfordbookshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hungerford Bookshop</a>, <a href="https://whitecoco.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Coco</a> and <a href="https://www.roxtons.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roxtons</a> for fashion and gifts and obviously the many antique shops. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.belowstairs.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Below Stairs of Hungerford</a>&nbsp;for WWI trench art, copper jelly moulds, ornate toilet bowls, and antique dentist chairs.&nbsp;<a href="http://emporium-hungerford.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Emporium</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.greatgrooms.co.uk/">Great Grooms</a>&nbsp;are well worth a visit.</p>



<p>Sashay down to Bridge Street for sexy smalls from <a href="https://www.angelaknightlingerie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Angela Knight Lingerie</a> and the the superb <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/bridge-street-skin-clinic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bridge Street Skin Clinic</a> for  aesthetcs and facials. Round the corner in Barrs Yard, a mecca of independents inclusing garden art, a florist, art gallery and <a href="https://www.grapesmith.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grapesmith</a> – an exceptional wine shop. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/retreat-elcot-pool.png" alt="retreat at elcot park" class="wp-image-69448" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/retreat-elcot-pool.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/retreat-elcot-pool-640x800.png 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/retreat-elcot-pool-800x1000.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/retreat-elcot-pool-320x400.png 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/retreat-elcot-pool-768x960.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Splish, splash, and make it a spa day at <a href="https://retreatelcotpark.com/spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Retreat at Elcot</a>. There&#8217;s an outdoor pool, indoor thermal suite, and indulgent spa treatments if you&#8217;re in need of some TLC. <a href="https://www.naturaspa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natura Spa</a> in nearby Kintbury is another great option with detox treatments and a hair salon too. In Hungerford itself, there&#8217;s lots of salons to choose from &#8211; we love <a href="https://thepinkdoorhungerford.com/hair-beauty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pink Door</a> for its hair, beauty, and aesthetics. For men, you can&#8217;t go wrong at <a href="https://www.legends-hungerford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Legends</a>. Hungerford has all the essentials on its doorstep &#8211; doctors, dentists, chiropractor, opticians, skin clinic, so you won&#8217;t have to travel far for the full body MOT. <a href="https://www.hungerfordvets.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vets</a> for your pets too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>The annual Victorian Christmas Fair is a highlight of the social calendar with late night shopping, stalls, plus a vintage helter skelter and carousel. The local council put on a number of events throughout the year. In 2024 there were celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and there&#8217;s an annual Christmas light switch on which is Hallmark Movie type stuff. It&#8217;s practically criminal to miss the annual Hocktide &#8211; a unique and ancient tradition celebrated over two weeks every year, with the most well-known day being Tutti Day. In fact, Hungerford is the only place in the country to have continuously celebrated Hocktide or Tutti Day.&nbsp;Fun fact.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>For starters, Hungerford Wharf. Take a gentle narrowboat trip down the Kennet &amp; Avon Canal on the <a href="https://rose.katrust.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rose of Hungerford</a>, or walk the towpath. There&#8217;s a vineyard on the doorstep too – Alder Ridge – which shares the same chalky seam of the Champagne region. Climb the hill to Combe Gibbet and you&#8217;ll find the grisly double gallows, and popular take off point for hang gliders and paragliders. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/INS_Snowdrops_13.jpg" alt="welford park" class="wp-image-60383" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/INS_Snowdrops_13.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/INS_Snowdrops_13-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/INS_Snowdrops_13-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/INS_Snowdrops_13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/INS_Snowdrops_13-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Welford Park snowdrops</figcaption></figure>



<p>Surprisingly vibrant for a town of this size, but the community spirit is strong. Emma at <a href="https://hungerfordbookshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hungerford Bookshop</a> often books big name authors, there&#8217;s an annual arts festival, and cinema nights are put on at The Croft. For a more formal arty party, <a href="https://www.watermill.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Watermill Theatre</a> is only 15 mins down the road, as is Newbury where you can enjoy a day at the races, art exhibitions, and touring shows. Head to <a href="https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle</a> or <a href="https://www.welfordpark.co.uk/">Welford Park</a> (home of the <em>Great British Bake Off</em>) for seasonal events throughout the year including a stunning light trail and the famous snowdrops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Berkshire’s a pricey county, but heading west does give you a little more bang for your buck. Detached homes are an average £613,962, semis £380,174 and terraced houses £388,893.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="785" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/hungerford-copy.jpg" alt="hungerford houses for sale" class="wp-image-69285" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/hungerford-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/hungerford-copy-800x628.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/hungerford-copy-400x314.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/hungerford-copy-768x603.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yearning for cottage living? This <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/lower-green-inkpen-hungerford-berkshire-rg17/HNG012439270" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4-bed</a> is a modern delight bursting with period features, and a fairytale garden. On the market with Knight Frank for £1.2m.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://rainbowschildcare.co.uk/">Rainbows</a> is based at Herongate Leisure Centre offering early years care for ages 3 months to five years, 52 weeks a year from 7.30am-6pm. There’s also an outstanding <a href="https://www.hungerfordnurseryschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nursery school</a> based at The Croft which takes children from 2 yrs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/ST-GABRIELD-SCHOOL-NEWBURY-2.jpg" alt="St Gabriel's School Seniors outside the main building" class="wp-image-61242" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/ST-GABRIELD-SCHOOL-NEWBURY-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/ST-GABRIELD-SCHOOL-NEWBURY-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/ST-GABRIELD-SCHOOL-NEWBURY-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/ST-GABRIELD-SCHOOL-NEWBURY-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/ST-GABRIELD-SCHOOL-NEWBURY-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">St Gabriel&#8217;s School</figcaption></figure>



<p>The good state school – <a href="https://www.hungerfordprimaryschool.co.uk/westberks/primary/hungerford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hungerford Primary School</a> and the senior <a href="https://www.johnogauntschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John O’Gaunt School</a>, with Newbury schools <a href="https://www.trinitynewbury.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trinity</a> and <a href="https://www.stbarts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Bart’s</a> popular with parents too. For independent schools, co-ed <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-gabriels-senior-school-newbury-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Gabriel</a><a href="https://www.stgabriels.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">’</a>s in Newbury is a superb all-through school. Popular Prep schools include <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/horris-hill-prep-newbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horris Hill</a>, <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/cheam-school-newbury-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cheam</a>, <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/elstree-school-woolhampton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elstree</a> and <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/brockhurst-marlston-house-hermitage-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brockhurst &amp; Marlston House</a>. Marlborough College, Bradfield College, and <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/downe-house-school-cold-ash-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downe House</a> are all sought-after senior destinations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Pucker up and brace yourself for ‘Kissing Day’ – part of a 14<sup>th</sup> century Hocktide tradition when Tutti Men would collect Easter rents. One of the perks was to ask for a kiss from the lady of the house. It&#8217;s an event they still perform today, but with a lot less tongue action. These days, Hungerford is famous for its antiques, and famous faces from Pam Ayres and Hayley Mills to Bear Grylls and Mary Berry have enjoyed a rummage. The late Princess Margaret is also said to have visited on several occasions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Just off J14 of the M4, Hungerford is a favourite for house-hunters looking for good road and rail links. Direct trains run to Newbury and Reading, and London Paddington take 50 mins. Annual season tickets cost £6,360, rising to £7,248 including Travel Card.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Hungerford

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