Thatcham

Thatcham in West Berkshire, England sits on the banks of the River Kennet between Newbury and Reading, close to the M4 and served by a local rail link. It still feels riverside and semi-rural despite being a commuter base for nearby towns, with a mix of housing, light industry and local shops clustered around a compact town centre.

The town is famous for its long history - archaeological finds show Mesolithic activity and have led to claims it is one of Britain’s oldest continuously occupied settlements - and the Thatcham Discovery Centre interprets much of that past. Modern local life balances that heritage with nature and enterprise: the Thatcham Reedbeds (part of the Kennet floodplain) are an important wetland reserve and there is a notable automotive research presence alongside everyday community amenities.