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Newbury’s position in the Thames Valley means it is ideal for employment and therefore it is no surprise it has become a rather busy town. Some 32,000 people live in Newbury itself while many more enter the town for work, with some making the most of good transport links to reach London by train each day. Vodafone is perhaps the most well known international business to set up its home in the town and employs somewhere in the region of 4,000 people. There are several other local telecommunications organisations as well as computing business in this part of the country meanwhile.
Founded in the late-11th century, Newbury was introduced to the region after the Norman invasion and takes its name from its meaning; it was a new borough. There is evidence of some settlement before this time too and it was perhaps due to its good location and helpful communications that it was installed. Over the years several royals visited, with some kings making the most of the hunting potential of the area. This sought after town also became a key provider of cloth; indeed, during the Middle Ages it was among the country’s top 20 towns and 16th century cloth magnate Jack of Newbury’s colours were clearly nailed to the mast.
A couple of Civil War battles took place in Newbury in 1643 and the following year, named the First and Second Battles of Newbury respectively. In the second of the battles Donnington Castle was largely destroyed. The rise of Bath in the 18th century was good news for Newbury, as those looking to get away from London’s smog stopped off in the town overnight on their way to the beautiful West Country city. This led to a rise in coaching inns. And so Newbury has been on a journey, from a time when it was a rural market town to now, a major centre of business and a cultural hub in the arts community.