September saw another first for the group when we visited Hungerford. We had an excellent guide, who was very knowledgeable and told us many interesting facts about the town.
Hungerford lies on the historic London to Bath Road and also the Oxford to Salisbury Road. The town’s hey-day was in the Georgian period when the coaching trade brought great prosperity. The Kennet and Avon Canal and the Great Western Railway soon followed, and these important communications still play a vital role in Hungerford’s commercial life today. The M4 motorway lies close by.
Local archaeological digs reveal evidence of people living here since 10,000BC – the Mesolithic Period, and there are important Roman roads and buildings nearby.
Hungerford’s fascinating history really develops from the 11th century, since then it has grown as an important market town serving the surrounding towns and villages.
The population of the parish at the 2021 census was 5,869
Today Hungerford is well known for its selection of antique shops and arcades
The parish church of St. Lawrence stands next to the Kennet and Avon Canal. It was rebuilt in 1814–1816 by John Pinch the elder in the Gothic Revival style. The east window contains stained glass by Lavers and Westlake. The church is a Grade II* listed building.
18 of us enjoyed the tour and the weather was fairly kind to us again.
Hungerford Town Hall is a municipal building in the High Street. The town hall, which is the meeting place of Hungerford Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.
There are a number of historic buildings in the town, which adds to the character.
