Hermitage, Berkshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.46
longitude= -1.27
official_name= Hermitage
population = 1,154 (2001 UK Census)
unitary_england= West Berkshire
region= South East England
lieutenancy_england = Berkshire
constituency_westminster=
post_town= NEWBURY
postcode_district = RG18
postcode_area= RG
dial_code= 01635
os_grid_reference=

Hermitage is a village and civil parish, near to Newbury, in the English county of Berkshire.

Location and communications

The civil parish is made up of a number of settlements: Hermitage village, Little Hungerford and Wellhouse, consisting of some 1154 people in 444 houses [http://www.westberks.gov.uk/media/excel/b/i/PARISH_STATS.XLS] . The village sits on the B4009, five miles north-east of Newbury in the heart of the North Wessex Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is thus surrounded by beautiful woodlands and undulating countryside providing panoramic views. Hermitage is well placed for access by car to almost anywhere in the country. There is easy access to the M4, which links Wales to London, and the A34 which is a main transport artery from the North to the South of the United Kingdom.

Amenities

It has a general store and post office, a butcher, a church and two public houses. The village primary school enjoys an excellent reputation and feeds into the Downs School. The area is predominantly agricultural and the main local employers are the village school, village pre-school, a large garden centre and a small light industrial unit housing several small businesses. In addition, there is the Royal School of Military Survey at Denison Barracks housing a small garrison of troops and their families. However, though generally referred to as being in Hermitage, it is actually just across the border in the Curridge area of Chieveley parish.

History

On Oare Common are two curvilinear ditched enclosures which are probably of prehistoric date, although it has also been suggests that they may represent a motte and bailey castle. The hill fort of Grimsbury Castle is in Grimsbury Wood. A folly stands at its centre. A 2nd and 3rd century Roman villa of some pretentions was discovered at Wellhouse in Victorian times. Between 1917 and 1918 D. H. Lawrence lived in Hermitage [http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mss/online/online-exhibitions/exhib_dhl/b7.phtml] .

Recent changes

As of 2008, two new developments have recently been completed to north and south of the village. The new area to the north was developed by Miller Homes (Forest Edge) and Bryant Homes (Bryant at Hermitage). The new area to the south, Hermitage Green, was developed by Banner Homes.

External links

* [http://www.hermitage.org.uk Welcome to Hermitage]
* [http://www.hermitagegreen.co.uk/ Hermitage Green]