Welcome to

Burghfield Common

And Surrounding Villages

Site updated

23rd January 2012

Welcome to Burghfield and Burghfield Common, two adjoining villages located about 7kms southwest of Reading in the Royal County of Berkshire in Central Southern England. The area has a long history going back to pre-Roman times whose modern name comes from the Saxon meaning ‘open land by the hill’. Ancient earthworks are scattered across the parish and the Roman city of Silchester is located about 5kms away just outside the current village of the same name.

Most of Burghfield Village and its triangular village green  has grown up alongside the Burghfield Road which runs south from the A4 west of Reading, over Burghfield Bridge, cuts over the M4 and continues through Burghfield Common towards Mortimer and Tadley. Unlike much of Reading, Burghfield Village has managed to retain its essential village character that any fan of the Archers BBC Radio4 series would recognise.  By contrast Burghfeld Common has expanded significantly by virtue of the housing development that was allowed in the 1980s and beyond that saw rolling fields being replaced by brick, glass and tarmac. Some idea of the resulting population growth in the Burghfield area can be inferred from the population in 1961 which was 2323 growing to 5,894 by 2001.

The rapid development of the area had an additional spur from the construction of the M4 motorway that grew gravel extraction from a local past time into a major industry. The improved communications made the area more attractive to commuters as a dormitory location and the resulting holes left behind by the extractions provided lakes for dinghy sailing and water skiing.

Whilst some may mourn the passing of the original peaceful rural environment the resulting expansion of the area has resulted in a varied and vibrant community. This web site seeks to bring that kaleidoscope of activity into focus by highlighting the many local resources and facilities that Burghfield has to offer.

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