West Berkshire

Unitary authority in England

Coordinates:	51.44, -1.28
OS grid ref:	SU 50 71

West Berkshire sits west of Reading on the chalk ridges of the North Wessex Downs AONB, with the River Kennet running through and parts of the River Thames forming boundaries. Good road links along the M4 corridor and the A34 connect it to London and the west, while the Kennet and Avon canal and smaller rural lanes give a very mixed transport picture and plenty of scenic walking country.

The administrative and commercial centre is Newbury, known for its racecourse, historic Donnington Castle and a cluster of business parks housing tech and service firms. Agriculture and equestrian activity remain important in the rural parts, and the former RAF site at Greenham Common is notable both for its Cold War role and the 1980s women’s peace camp that left a lasting social legacy.

There are still visible signs of history here: the Civil War battles around Newbury, long-established market towns and a strong conservation ethos for hedgerows, chalk grassland and river corridors. That combination of heritage, outdoor recreation, local festivals and commuter villages gives the area a distinctive, semi-rural character with active community networks.

West Berkshire postcode districts

RG7, RG8, RG14, RG17, RG18, RG19, RG20, RG31

Most populated places in West Berkshire

Places in West Berkshire

Aldermaston Built-up area
Aldermaston Wharf Built-up area
Aldworth Parish
Beenham Built-up area
Bradfield Built-up area
Brimpton Built-up area
Burghfield Built-up area
Chieveley Built-up area
Cold Ash Built-up area
Compton Built-up area
East Garston Built-up area
East Ilsley Built-up area
Eastbury Built-up area
Farnborough Parish
Fawley Parish
Great Shefford Built-up area
Hampstead Norreys Built-up area
Hermitage Built-up area
Hungerford Built-up area
Inkpen Built-up area
Kintbury Built-up area
Lambourn Built-up area
Newbury Built-up area
Pangbourne Built-up area
Peasemore Built-up area
Stratfield Mortimer Built-up area
Streatley Built-up area
Thatcham Built-up area
Theale Built-up area
Upper Basildon Built-up area
West Ilsley Parish
Winterbourne Parish