PANGBOURNE

Close to Reading, Pangbourne, in West Berkshire, is located on the River Thames and is on the opposite bank of the river to Whitchurch-on-Thames, it marks the border with Oxfordshire.

The Pang flows through the centre of Pangbourne before joining the Thames. The Whitchurch Bridge connects the two villages and nearby is Whitchurch Lock which is only accessible by boat. Today it is a charming and quaint riverside village, full of character, with individual shops, a selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes, making it an ideal place to potter. Many visitors arrive on foot along the Thames Path National Trail or you can arrive by boat, or by train. Arriving by train, the first sight is of the fabulously painted underpass at Pangbourne train station, it features bees, honeycomb and wild flowers. This was the idea of Helen Stock, who works in the Berkshire station’s ticket office. She came up with the idea to mark her 20-year anniversary of working at the station. She is reported to have said: “I wanted to brighten up the place and make it a warm, happy, welcoming place.”

History shows that Pangbourne was a strategic crossing point of the Thames for over one thousand years, with the earliest records from AD 844 showing it as a grant of land to Bertwulf, the King of Mercia. The monarch is prominently depicted on the village sign. Its name derives from Paega a Saxon chief, who settled here, Pangbourne means ‘Paega’s People’s Stream’. In Norman times, it belonged to Reading Abbey.

Attractions and things to do near Pangbourne

Pangbourne Meadow is a beautiful area consisting of a big grassy meadow adjacent to the tow path, while further inland there is a large field and children’s play area, including toilets. The water meadows, are a popular spot for a picnic or a stroll. It’s also the site of the annual village fete, a wonderful English tradition, including the customary WI cake stall but also the more unusual Limbo dancing competition and Dragon Boat event!

Beale Wildlife Park at Lower Basildon, a Riverside park, home to many difference species of birds as well as goats and ponies. There are also picnic areas and other great facilities fo those with small children. https://bealepark.org.uk/

Pangbourne Toll Bridge – you can’t miss seeing this bridge of wrought iron lattice work, which links the two villages. Stop on the bridge to look upstream to the lock and admire the views of the church, mill and cottages of Whitchurch, ranged on the far side of the millpond.

Pangbourne College

A co-educational private day and boarding school located in Pangbourne, Berkshire. It is set in 230 acres, on a hill south-west of the village, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The college was founded by Sir Thomas Lane Devitt Bt. in 1917 as The Nautical College, Pangbourne with the purpose of training boys to become Merchant Navy officers. It became “Pangbourne College” in 1969 and while conforming to the general lines of a British independent boarding school, retains a distinctly nautical flavour; the pupils wear naval uniform. The Nautical College, Pangbourne became “Pangbourne College”. This also saw a shift in emphasis to a stronger academic programme, and with a civilian headmaster to replace the former post of captain superintendent. Directors of studies were replaced by the post of second master. The current headmaster, Thomas Garnier, served in the Royal Navy before switching to a career in teaching. He taught physics and was a housemaster before becoming headmaster of Pangbourne College in 2005.

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