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Welcome to Thatcham.

It has been reported in the Guinness Book of Records that Thatcham has probably the best claim to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Britain, with a site dating back to around 7720 BC. Thatcham also is home to what is at present the oldest Iron Age site in the country, was also a Roman town, and at the time of the Domesday Book the “Taceham [Thatcham] Hundred” was second only to Windsor in terms of its importance within Berkshire.

Thatcham is also very forward looking, and we are very fortunate to have excellent schools, leisure facilities and employment opportunities in the town and in its surrounding areas. The shops and services around the Town, on the High Street and in the Broadway will meet most everyday needs. A consultation was also held in August 2006 to improve the central shopping centre. Those in search of the more exotic will find here championship-winning Formula One components, international electronics companies, and within the insurance industry the name “Thatcham” is synonymous with the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre.

The depth of the Town’s involvement within the community is also well established and is well illustrated by Thatcham’s annual Festival of Arts and Leisure, organised by the Town Council annually and now in its 7th year. It now includes events for all ages that are run by the Town’s local organisations and clubs, and caters for almost every type of interest.

Set within the attractive West Berkshire district, which is nearly 75% Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it can fairly be said therefore that Thatcham combines the best of both town and country, of both history and modernity.

With wider links by road, rail, and even (if the inclination takes you) by canal to London and beyond, one of the lowest crime rates in the country and excellent and growing facilities, Thatcham is then an ideal place for anyone to live, work, and bring up a family.

Councillor Alexander Payton
Town Mayor of Thatcham
2006 - 2007

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Thatcham Town Council express their sincere gratitude to the following people for giving
permission to use their photographs in this guide: Mike Cass www.cherrytreeimages.com, Norman Jones http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/norriesite, Andrew Cooper and David Dobson.