Thatcham In Berkshire, Thought To Be The Oldest Town In Britain
Thatcham is a town in the historic county of Berkshire, England which is claimed to be the oldest town in Britain. Such a claim is being proven by evidence of a Mesolithic Age (10,000BC - 4,000BC) settlement near the Sewage Works in the Lower Way Lane.
The town sprawls over the A4, once the Great Bath Road, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Kennet. The town lies around three miles east of Newbury and is served by the Great Western railway line between Newbury and Reading. Aside from the River Kennet, two other Rivers flow through the village; the River Lambourn which merges with the Kennet river west of the parish close to the Ham Mill, and the Enborne River which serves as the southern border of the town.
Food, Shopping And Accommodation In Thatcham
Thatcham is considered a dormitory town. It has earned the reputation of being the fastest growing town in England with large housing settlements being created to serve a population which mostly commute to work in London, Reading and Newbury. It has kept its old tradition of having a village green at the centre of town among both chain names and independent retail outlets.
For more serious shopping, Newbury is just a stone’s throw away with Camp Hopson, a large department store, the Kennet Centre, a small shopping mall, and several famous high street names. For a place to stay, there is the Colthrop Manor, the Swan by Marston’s Inn, and Willows accommodation.
Things To See And Do In Thatcham
For things to do and places to see, The Nature Discovery Center top the list. It is an incredible visitor centre filled with interactive natural history and wildlife display that will awe the visitors. For outdoor lovers, there are footpaths for a leisurely stroll as well as for a more active and adventurous perambulation.