Local Attractions and Activities near Newbury & Hungerford

Racing - Newbury Racecourse www.newburyracing.co.uk

Newbury Racecourse offers some of the best horseracing both flat and over jumps. It is the home of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, The Judd Monte Lockinye and Ladies Day in August and has a Summer season of top racing.

Golf - Donnington Valley Golf Course, Newbury www.donningtonvalleygolfclub.co.uk

An 18 hole 6353 yard par 71 course from the back tees with magnificant views and exceptional golfing

Highclere Castle - Newbury www.highclerecastle.co.uk

One of Englands most beautiful Victorian castles. owned by the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnavon. Highclere castle is only 4 miles from Newbury, famous for its exhibition recording the story of the 5th Earls discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Today the castle hosts many other activities and events

Shooting - The Royal Berkshire Shooting School www.rbss.co.uk

Combe Gibbet and Walbury Hill Fort - Inkpen / Combe www.mysteriousbritan.co.uk/england/berkshire4.html

Here you will find Combe Gibbet and the remains of the Iron age Walbury Hill Fort (600bc to 50ad) (SU3761) This is the highest chalk hill in England and  stands 974 feet above sea level with spectacular views.

Location

The gibbet is located at grid reference Su360620 on the test way close to the Berkshire / Hampshire border, it is named after the village of Combe, but it is also close to Inkpen and it is built on top of a long barrow known as the inkpen long barrow. The long barrow is 60m long and 22m wide .

History

The Combe Gibbet stands on the top of Combe down and was erected on top of a Neolithic buriel ground. It was only ever put to its grisly use once in 1676 for the purpose of hanging George Broomham and Dorothy Newman. The gibbet was placed in such a prominent location as a warning to deter others from committting crimes.

George and Dorothy were having an affair and were hanged for murdering George's wife Martha and their son Robert after they discovered them together on the downs. Unfortunately for the lovers, the murder was witnessed by mad Thomas, who managed to convey what he had seen to the authorities. the two dead bodies were laid out in 'Gibbet Barn' at the Crown and Garter Inn

A replica gibbet marks the site . The original was destroyed many years ago and subsequent replicas have been replaced several times.

Walking and Hiking 

The  Uk Ramblers Association www.walkinginberkshire.co.uk

Inkpen circular walks to download copies go to www.inkpen-village.co.uk

Wayfarers Walk www3.hants.gov.uk/walking/longdistance/wayfarers-walk.htm

The Wayfarers Walk extends over 70 miles starting at Inkpen Beacon (The Testway) and ending at Emsworth (The Sussex border path ). The walk traverses watership down the setting for Richard Adams best selling book about a cmmunity of rabbits. 

The Test Way www3.hants.gov.uk/walking/longdistance.testway.htm

A 44mile walk which starts high on the chalk downs at Inkpen carrying on down to Southampton water

Newbury Tourist Office www.visitwestberkshire.org.uk

Newbury Show www.newburyshow.co.uk

The Watermill Theatre www.watermill.org.uk

The Corn Exchange (Theatre and Concerts) www.cornexchangenew.com

Hungerford Town Website www.hungerford.uk.net

Hungerford Arts Festival www.haeaf.co.uk

Kennet Tourist Board www.visitkennet.co.uk

Marlborough Town website www.marlboroughwilts.co.uk

Marlborough Jazz festival www.marboroughjazz.co.uk