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Situated between Newbury and Reading, Thatcham is included in the West Berkshire Unitary Authority area which came into existence on 1st April, 1998 following the abolition of Berkshire County Council.

The township covers an area of almost 8.75 square miles (2,256 hectares) and its population has increased dramatically in post war years from 4,500 in 1945 to over 24,500 today. The industry of the town has developed alongside the residential growth and the town is very fortunate in its sports and leisure facilities, details of which appear in this guide.

Thatcham’s boundaries extend north into wooded country towards Cold Ash where it reaches 431 feet above sea level. To the south Thatcham takes in part of Crookham and Greenham Commons. It extends to the Hampshire border at the River Enborne.

The clear waters of the River Kennet offer excellent trout and coarse fishing. The Kennet and Avon Canal, completed in 1811, flows through an area which has been designated as a nature conservation park. It totals over 700 acres and includes the largest area of inland reeds in the south of England.

Thatcham is on the main railway line from London to the West Country and there are good and regular direct rail services to Paddington. Heathrow Airport can be reached by car in 45 minutes and Gatwick Airport in 90 minutes.

Thatcham is a flourishing and caring community where continual improvement of the environment and social facilities is of prime importance. The town has much to offer the visitor both in itself and as an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful countryside of West Berkshire, North Hampshire, South Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.

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.