Hermitage, Berkshire
| Hermitage | |
| Berkshire | |
|---|---|
 Garden Centre | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°27’9"N, 1°16’34"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,154 (2001) |
| Post town: | Newbury |
| Postcode: | RG18 |
| Dialling code: | 01635 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | West Berkshire |
Hermitage is a village, near to Newbury, in Berkshire. The civil parish is made up of a number of settlements: Hermitage village, Little Hungerford and Wellhouse, in 2003 these consisted of some 1,154 people in 444 houses, although the population is nearer 2,000 now (2010) in 770 homes.
The village sits on the B4009, five miles northeast of Newbury in the heart of the Berkshire Downs, part of the North Wessex Downs 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. It is thus surrounded by beautiful woodlands and undulating countryside providing panoramic views.
Transport
Hermitage is well placed for access by car to almost anywhere in the country. There is easy access to the M4, which links Swansea to London, and the A34 which is a main transport artery from the Midlands to the south coast. Until the 1960s the village was served by Hermitage railway station on the Western Region of British Railways. The station was originally operated by the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway. From 18 February 2013, Hermitage is served by Newbury and District bus services from Newbury.
Amenities
It has a general store and post office, a butcher, a church (Holy Trinity) and two public houses (The Fox and The White Horse of Hermitage). There is a large garden centre with a café, bonsai shop, pool and spa concession and lawnmower centre.
The area is predominantly agricultural and the main local employers are the village school, village pre-school, the garden centre and a small light industrial unit housing several small businesses. In addition, the Royal School of Military Survey is based at Denison Barracks housing a small garrison of troops and their families.
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 standing was discovered at Wellhouse in Victorian times.
Between 1917 and 1918, D H Lawrence lived in Hermitage.[1] Hermitage railway station was opened on a line between Didcot, Newbury and Southampton, but the line was closed in 1962.
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.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Hermitage, Berkshire) |
References
- ↑ Online exhibitions - The University of Nottingham. Nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2013-07-17.