Parish in West Berkshire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.412, -1.371 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SU 43 68 |
| Dialling code: | 01635 (Newbury) |
Speen is a compact, largely rural civil parish just north‑west of Newbury in West Berkshire, England, sitting in the Kennet valley beside the River Kennet and close to the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The landscape is a mix of small farms, hedged lanes and pockets of historic settlement, with easy road links that make it a popular place for people who commute to nearby towns.
The parish includes the hamlet of Speenhamland, famous for the 1795 Speenhamland relief scheme that shaped national poor‑law debates, and retains a strong village feel with a parish church, timber‑framed cottages, a village hall and traditional pubs. Local life still reflects an agricultural economy alongside small businesses and commuters to Newbury and Reading, and there’s a steady interest in heritage and countryside activities.
RG20 8LY, RG20 8JX, RG14 1RL, RG14 1UJ, RG20 8BS, RG14 1RF, RG20 8ND, RG20 8JT, RG20 8LS … See all