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5 things you never knew about the fascinating town of Newbury
Published in
General
There’s many a reason why you may be
on the lookout for hotels near
Newbury; you may be here on a business trip, of course, or it might be
local landmarks like Highclere Castle – the ‘star’ of the hit ITV period drama
series, Downton Abbey – that attracts
you to this pretty part of England.
The market town of Newbury itself, though, is far from a mere stop-off point. As one of the most popular nearby sources of accommodation here at Regency Park Hotel, we therefore thought we’d list just some of the most interesting characteristics of the area.
It’s a place rich in history
The area that is now Newbury was a settlement in the Mesolithic era. However, Newbury itself was founded late in the 11th century as a new borough following the Norman Conquest, which explains its name. Today, the town remains rich in historic architecture dating as far back as medieval times.
You’ll find one of England’s major racecourses here...
If any one thing is synonymous with Newbury in the national imagination today, it is surely Newbury Racecourse. Although the racecourse held its first race meeting in 1905, the first recorded racing at Newbury actually took place a century earlier. Today, the racecourse’s most prestigious race is the Hennessy Gold Cup, which is normally held in late November.
...as well as one of the UK’s few remaining lidos
For well over a century, the 72-metre-long outdoor pool at Northcroft Leisure Centre has been attracting swimmers who wish to experience the sun and the breeze as they complete lengths. However, it isn’t open all year round, owing to the maintenance requirements for such an old structure, so we advise you to check the West Berkshire Council website before travelling.
There are also many thriving businesses here...
Newbury has cultivated a strong reputation in recent decades as a regional centre for the high-tech industries, and is home to the UK headquarters of such big-name multinationals as Vodafone, National Instruments Corporation, Snell Advanced Media and Newbury Building Society.
...and even a buoyant cultural life
The arts and culture scenes in Newbury are also attracting increasing renown. The Corn Exchange, for example, is a 400-seat arts centre that presents a varied programme of theatre, dance, music, comedy, film and visual arts events. Meanwhile, New Greenham Arts at Greenham Business Park serves as a working artist’s studio and hosts visual arts exhibitions and installations.
Whatever your own reasons for seeking out hotels near Newbury may be, this intriguing Berkshire town is more than worthy of a visit in its own right. So why not do precisely that, booking a room at the highly conveniently located Regency Park Hotel in tranquil surroundings between Newbury and Thatcham?
