Discover 8 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Hungerford (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Hungerford Lock, Hungerford Marsh Lock, and Walbury Hill. Also, be sure to include Little Bedwyn Lock in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Hungerford (England).
Table of Contents
Hungerford Lock
Hungerford Lock is a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal, at Hungerford, Berkshire, England.
The lock has a rise/fall of 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m).[1]
Hungerford Marsh Lock
Hungerford Marsh Lock is a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal, at Hungerford, Berkshire, England.
The lock has a rise/fall of 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m).
The lock is unique compared to others on the canal in that it has a swing bridge directly over the centre of the lock that must be opened before the lock may be used.[2]
Walbury Hill
Summit in England. Walbury Hill is a summit of the North Wessex Downs in Berkshire, England. At 297 metres above sea level, it is the highest natural point in South East England.
Walbury Hill is the starting point for both the Test Way and the Wayfarer's Walk footpaths. The hill is a part of a ridge which forms the border between the southwest of Berkshire and the northwest of Hampshire, and also extends into Wiltshire. It is around seven kilometres (4+1⁄2 mi) southeast of the town of Hungerford. It is part of the Kirby House estate, owned by the Astor family.
On the hill's summit is the Iron Age hill fort of Walbury Camp. Combe Gibbet stands on the adjoining Gallows Down. There is also a small low-level circular brick building, approximately 6 feet (1.8 metres) high, on the south side of the hill. This appears to be a disused reservoir.
The true summit is marked by a triangulation pillar approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the main Test Way. Before the use of satellites was commonplace, Walbury Hill was occasionally used by the BBC as a temporary relay station during the Newbury Races. There is no metalled road across the hill, but the byway is open to all traffic and maintained with a hard gravel surface, because of its previous use by outside broadcast vehicles. The ridged summit is also popular with paragliding enthusiasts.
It is one of three nationally important chalk wild grasslands in the North Wessex Downs, the others being Rushmore and Conholt Downs (SSSI) and part of Hog's Hole (SSSI).[3]
Little Bedwyn Lock
Weir in Little Bedwyn, England. Little Bedwyn Lock is a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal, at Little Bedwyn, Wiltshire, England.
The canal is administered by the Canal & River Trust. The lock has a rise/fall of 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m).[4]
Hungerford Library
Hungerford Town Hall is a municipal building in the High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, England. The town hall, which is the meeting place of Hungerford Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.[5]
St Thomas' Church
Anglican church in East Shefford, England. St Thomas' Church is a redundant Church of England parish church at East Shefford in the English county of Berkshire. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The church stands in an isolated position at the end of a private drive overlooking the River Lambourn, to the southeast of the village of Great Shefford.[6]
Freeman's Marsh
Freeman's Marsh is a 25.1-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the northern outskirts of Hungerford in Berkshire. It is in the North Wessex Downs, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site is owned by the Town and Manor of Hungerford.
Freeman's Marsh is in the flood plain of the River Dun, which goes through the site. It has unimproved meadows, which have long been traditionally managed by grazing, marsh, reedbeds and scattered woodland. Many species of birds nest on the river bank and in the marshy meadows, including snipe, little grebes and mute swans, while sedge warblers, reed warblers and reed buntings nest in tall fen and reed.
The site is crossed by public footpaths.[7]
Potter's Lock
Historical landmark in Little Bedwyn, England. Potter's Lock is on the Kennet and Avon Canal, at Bedwyn, Wiltshire, England.
The lock has a rise/fall of 7 ft 6 in (2.28 m).[8]