The West Berkshire Historic Environment Record (HER) is the primary index of the physical remains of past human activity in the unitary authority of West Berkshire Council. Limited elements of the West Berkshire HER are available online via the Heritage Gateway, therefore it is not suitable for use in desk-based studies associated with development, planning and land-use changes, and does not meet the requirements of paragraph 194 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2021: 56). Please read
the important guidance on the use of the West Berkshire HER data. For these purposes and all other commercial enquiries, please contact the Archaeology team and complete our
online HER enquiry form.
SITED AT AN IMPORTANT BRIDGING POINT WHERE THE OXFORD TO SOUTHAMPTON ROAD CROSSES THE KENNET. FIRST MENTIONED IN C1080 THE TOWN GREW IN IMPORTANCE AS A THRIVING WOOL AND CLOTH CENTRE. INDEPENDENT TOWN GOVERNMENT DEVELOPED IN C13TH. POSS DECLINE IN C13TH-14TH FOLLOWED BY PEAK IN PROSPERITY C15TH-16TH.
The earliest elements of the town were around the church, consisting of burgage plots along Cheap Street and Bartholomew Street. Parts of Cheap Street and Market Place, however, may have been too marshy to have been fully occupied until the mid 14th century. Northbrook Street is probably a later extension, located between areas of common pasture. Documentary records mention a castle in 1152, when it was captured by Stephen. A long tradition held that the castle may have occupied part of the area now known as the Wharf, but archaeological investigations have failed to locate it, and research in 1998 suggested that the castle may in fact have been at Hamstead Marshall <15>.
The geographical area outlined on the GIS is Astill's possible area of medieval occupation <1>.
As the largest urban area in Newbury District and then West Berkshire unitary authority, Newbury has been subject to some analysis and examination.
| <01> | Astill, G G. 1978. Historic Towns in Berkshire: an archaeological appraisal. P49-57. [Monograph / SWB10869] |
| <02> | Willis, John. 1768. Willis' Map of the Country ten miles round Newbury, with a plan of the Town of Newbury and of Speenhamland, 1768. 2 inch to mile?. A Plan of the Town of Newbury and Speenhamland. [Map / SWB8040]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/50263734041 (Accessed 16/09/2021) |
| <03> | Vince, A G, Lobb, S J, Richards, J C and Mepham, L. 1997. Excavations in Newbury, Berkshire 1979-1990. Wessex Archaeology Report 13. [Monograph / SWB12718] |
| <04> | Commissioned by the Duke of Chandos. 1729/30. Map of Speen Manor. [Map / SWB12939] |
| <05> | Davis, Cornelius. 1849. Davis' Ten Miles round Newbury, 1849. [Map / SWB13949] |
| <06> | Ballard, J. 1774. A 1774 map and survey showing the extent and boundaries of the borough and parish of Newbury. [Map / SWB13533] |
| <07> | Toomer, J. 1815. Map from Joseph Toomer's Census of Newbury, 1815. [Map / SWB14202] |
| <08> | Tolman, S. 1994. Newbury, History and Guide. [Monograph / SWB13972] |
| <09> | Higgott, A R. 2001. The Story of Newbury (2001 edition). [Monograph / SWB13961] |
| <10> | Wakefield, M. 1999. Memories of Newbury. [Monograph / SWB13967] |
| <11> | Hopson, S. 1983. Newbury, A Photographic Record 1850-1935. [Monograph / SWB13965] |
| <12> | Allen, P. 1995. Britain in old photographs: Newbury. [Monograph / SWB13959] |
| <13> | Stokes, P. Newbury in the 1890s. [Monograph / SWB13974] |
| <14> | Hopson, S. 1988. Newbury Then and Now. No 1. [Monograph / SWB13973] |
| <15> | Newbury District Field Club. 1998. TRANS NEWBURY DISTRICT FIELD CLUB 1998 VOL 14 NO 2/3. p28-9. [Article in serial / SWB12918] |
| <16> | Stukeley, W. 28/06/1723. Plan of Newberry and Spinae. Marked 'Newberry'. [Map / SWB147333] |
| <17> | 1817. Copy of A Plan of Newbury Wharf, &c.. Scale of Yards marked. [Map / SWB14351] |
| <18> | 1839-40. Plan of the Gas Works, the Old Workhouse Buildings, the New House and the Newbury Improvement Commissioners' Buildings…. [Map / SWB14352] |
| <19> | Willis, Mark. 1839-40. The Wharf Property consisting of Houses, Granaries & various Buildings (Plan of part of Newbury). 1 chain to 2 inches. [Map / SWB14350] |
| <20> | 1842. Newbury Tithe Map and Award. [Map / SWB14277]
http://ww2.berkshirenclosure.org.uk/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=DD1%2f89%2f1 (Accessed 10/02/2022) |
| <21> | Haslam, J (ed). 1984. Anglo-Saxon towns in southern England. Chapter 3 - The Towns of Berkshire by Grenville Astill. [Monograph / SWB14273] |
| <22> | Creative History Group. 1989. The Newbury Roundabout. [Monograph / SWB14061] |
| <23> | Hadcock, R N & Millson, C. 1990. The Story of Newbury (1990 edition). [Monograph / SWB13960] |
| <23> | Bristol and Region Archaeological Services. 2003. Archaeological Desktop Assessment of a site at Park Way, Newbury, Berkshire for Elise Developments Ltd. Report No 1178/2003. 2021 WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB14276] |
| <24> | Creative History Group. 1991. The Newbury Roundabout II. [Monograph / SWB14062] |
| <26> | Higgott, A R. 2004. Newbury in the 1950s. [Monograph / SWB146884] |
| <27> | Homer-Wooff, G H R. The Postal History of Newbury. [Monograph / SWB13975] |
| <28> | Wessex Archaeology. 24/04/2007. Kennet Centre, Newbury, Berkshire - Archaeological Evaluation. Ref No 64341.03. 2018 WBC Network. https://doi.org/10.5284/1049159. [Unpublished document / SWB147069]
https://doi.org/10.5284/1049159 (Accessed 31/03/2022) |
| <29> | Thames Valley Archaeological Services. 2010. Hillview House, West Street, Newbury, West Berkshire. In ADS Grey Lit library. 10.5284/1026622. [Unpublished document / SWB147828]
http://dx.doi.org/10.5284/1026622 (Accessed 02/06/2014) |
| <30> | Unknown. 1800s?. Views and plans of Newbury, co Berks, 19th century. [Unpublished document / SWB147734] |
| <31> | Oxford Archaeology. 2006. Newbury Historic Character Study - Assessment Report. OA Job No 2563. WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB14654]
http://info.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=30418 (Accessed 25/09/2015) |
| <32> | Yates, M. 2007. Town and countryside in western Berkshire, c1327-c1600: social and economic change. [Monograph / SWB147740] |
| <33> | Newbury Town Council. 2009. Newbury Town Council Conservation Area Draft Appraisal - Stroud Green. 2017 WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB148255] |
| <34> | Tubb, R B. 2011. Newbury Road by Road. [Monograph / SWB148530] |
| <35> | Oxford Archaeology. 2014. Newbury Parkway, West Berkshire - Gazetteer of Historic Buildings. WBC Network. doi.org/10.5284/1031451. [Unpublished document / SWB148752]
https://library.oxfordarchaeology.com/1970/10/NEWPPI05_Newbury_historic_buildings_gaz_part1_200614_pdfA.pdf (Accessed 11/05/2020) |
| <36> | Higgott, A R. 2016. The Changing Face of Newbury. [Monograph / SWB149448] |
| <37> | Dils, J and Yates, M (ed). 2012. An Historical Atlas of Berkshire (2nd Edition). p62-63 Berkshire towns 1500-1700. [Monograph / SWB148708] |
| <38> | Oxford Archaeology. 19/01/2005. Camp Hopson Department Store, 6-12 Northbrook Street, Newbury: Archaeological Watching Brief Report. Site Code NECHNS04. 2021 WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB14332] |
| <39> | Camp Hopson Department Store, 6-12 Northbrook Street, Newbury. NEBYM:2004.52. [Excavation archive / SWB14366] |
| <40> | Bodleian Libraries. 2021. The Gough Map of Great Britain. http://www.goughmap.org. 18/03/2023. [Website / SWB150447]
http://www.goughmap.org/ (Accessed on 18/03/2023) |
| <41> | Heritage Architecture and GL Hearn. 2021. Draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan: Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area. 2023 WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB150537]
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/article/41361/Draft-Newbury-Town-Centre-Conservation-Area-Appraisal-and-Management-Plan (Accessed on 25/08/2023) |
| MWB7123 | 21 Bartholomew Street, Newbury - gully (Monument) |
| MWB3462 | Bartholomew Manor and Cottage, 4 and 6 Argyle Road, Newbury (Building) |
| MWB3426 | BARTHOLOMEW STREET, NEWBURY (Monument) |
| MWB3436 | CHEAP STREET/MARKET PLACE, NEWBURY (Monument) |
| MWB3449 | Conjectural site of Greenham preceptory (Monument) |
| MWB3461 | HOSPITAL OF ST MARY, NEWBURY (Monument) |
| MWB9924 | Newbury - medieval finds (Find Spot) |
| MWB3425 | Newbury Castle (Monument) |
| MWB3447 | Newbury Mills (Monument) |
| MWB6901 | North of Cinema, Park Way, Newbury (Monument) |
| MWB3442 | NORTHBROOK STREET, NEWBURY (Monument) |
| MWB3446 | NORTHCROFT LANE (Monument) |
| MWB3453 | St Bartholomew's Hospital (Monument) |
| MWB23081 | St Michael's Road, Newbury - animal bones (Find Spot) |
| MWB23080 | St Michael's Road, Newbury - pits (Monument) |
| MWB6720 | St Michael's Road, Newbury - pottery (Find Spot) |
| MWB3451 | St Nicolas' Church - Newbury Parish Church (Building) |
| MWB7078 | The Elephant at the Market, 8 Market Place, Newbury (formerly the Three Tuns and the Queen's Hotel) (Building) |
| MWB15750 | The Wharf, Newbury - medieval (Monument) |
| MWB3423 | ULVRITONE (Place) |
| MWB5909 | A4 BATH ROAD - General Record (Monument) |
| MWB3437 | NEWBURY OR "NEW MARKET TOWN" (Monument) |
| EWB1017 | Newbury Park Way - Phase 1 Evaluation (Ref: Site Code NEWPP1 05) |
| EWB1036 | Park Way, Newbury: Mesolithic Trial Pit Evaluation (Ref: Site Code NEWPP1 08) |
| EWB1044 | Park Way, Newbury - Phase 2 Evaluation (Trenches 100-103) (Ref: Site Code NEWPP1 08) |
| EWB1093 | Newbury Park Way: Historic Buildings & Conservation Statement (Ref: OA Job No 2733) |
| EWB1098 | Hillview House, West Street, Newbury, Berkshire - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment |
| EWB1113 | Hillview House, West Street, Newbury - Archaeological Evaluation (Ref: WSN 10/01) |
| EWB1127 | Land at Sterling Estate, Kings Road, Newbury, Berkshire - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment |
| EWB1172 | Land at Mill Lane - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (Ref: SG/9429) |
| EWB247 | Park Way Redevelopment, Newbury: Archaeological Desk-top Assessment |
| EWB741 | Feltham Tyres, Park Way, Newbury: Desk-based Assessment (Ref: Site Code FPN 03/117) |
| EWB742 | Archaeological Desktop Assessment of a site at Park Way, Newbury (Ref: Report No 1178/2003) |
| EWB743 | Park Way, Newbury - Geo-Environmental Assessment |
| EWB837 | Former Feltham Tyres, Park Way, Newbury: Evaluation (Ref: Site Code FPN 03/117) |
| EWB845 | Avonbank House and Northcroft House, West Street, Newbury - Archaeological evaluation (Ref: Report Ref 60490.02) |
| EWB848 | Highfield Avenue, Newbury, West Berkshire - Archaeological Evaluation (Ref: Report No 453) |
| EWB870 | Newbury Historic Character Study (NHCS) (Ref: NEWHESCO) |
| EWB923 | Land to the rear of 53 Northbrook Street, Newbury, West Berkshire - An Archaeological Evaluation (Ref: NSN06/140) |
| EWB953 | Texaco Garage, London Road, Newbury: Desk-based Assessment (Ref: Site Code LRN 07/28) |
| EWB1393 | Hillview House, West Street, Newbury: An Archaeological Watching Brief (Ref: Site Code WSN 10/01) |
| EWB1386 | Hillview House, West Street, Newbury: Geoarchaeological Field Investigations (Ref: Project No 159/13) |
| EWB1394 | Elizabeth House, West Street, Newbury: Archaeological Evaluation (Ref: Site Code EHN12/167) |
| EWB1384 | Nos 15-21 West Mills, Newbury - archaeological building recording (Ref: Ref 3592-2) |
| EWB1416 | Newbury Park Way - Gazetteer of Historic Buildings (Ref: NEWPK08, OA Job No 3904) |
| EWB1561 | Camp Hopson, 7-11 Northbrook Street, Newbury - Heritage Statement (Ref: N/A) |
| EWB764 | Camp Hopson Department Store, 6-12 Northbrook Street, Newbury: Watching Brief (Ref: Site Code NECHNS04) |