| Event type: | Outing |
| Date: | 22nd July 2025 |
| Organiser: |
Outings Co-ordinator
Tel: 01926 858 563
|
| Cost: | Cost £44pp |
| Booking: | Note that booking is required. |
Pick up 8.50am Abbey Fields, 9.00am Abbey End/The Clock
Please note that there are steps onto the boat and unfortunately it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Hungerford
Our morning will start with a visit to the town of Hungerford, a historic market town and civil parish in Berkshire, England, located 8 miles west of Newbury. The town’s name is derived from an Anglo-Saxon name meaning “ford leading to poor land”. During the Civil War, the Earl of Essex and his army spent the night there in June 1644. In October of the same year, the Earl of Manchester’s cavalry were quartered in the town. Then, in November, Charles I’s forces arrived in Hungerford on their way to Abingdon.
In more recent times, Hungerford has become a popular destination for tourists and visitors alike. The town has a thriving arts scene with many galleries and exhibitions showcasing local talent. There are also many independent shops, boutiques selling unique gifts and souvenirs and plenty of places to eat.
The town of Hungerford is a treasure trove for antique enthusiasts and is home to several renowned antique shops and an arcade.
It is also home to many historic buildings and landmarks, including St Lawrence’s Church, which dates back to the 12th century, and Hungerford Town Hall, which was built in 1871.
Some 10 minutes walk from the town centre, on Bath Road, is Barrs Yard, which contains a variety of shops from Garden Art to clothes and several cafes.
Or stroll,or sit, beside the river which runs through the town.
Avon and Kennet horse-drawn canal cruise
In the afternoon we will take a leisurely two-hour cruise along the Kennet and Avon canal which runs through Kintbury, a picturesque village near Hungerford. An introductory commentary will explain what we can expect to see along the route. The horse-drawn barge is a wide-beam passenger trip boat, purpose built-in 1976 and operates solely by the 1hp towing action of the horse. Reflecting the role of the barge in England’s heritage, the barges are painted in the traditional ‘roses and castles’ decorative style, which became fashionable in the mid-1800s.
A choice of drink and cake will be served during the cruise. We will leave for home at 4.15pm
There are toilet facilities on board and across the road from the boat mooring.
Click here for Booking forms which are also available from the Outings table at Open Meetings, or in the monthly Bulletin. We also ask those booking to make a member of the Outings Team aware of ANY issues that may affect their ability to travel or enjoy the outings, so that these can be discussed with a view to obtaining a reasonable solution. Please post or deliver forms to Outings Team, 20 Talisman Close, CV8 1TE
Post-Outing Review
Leaving rainy Kenilworth behind, we travelled to the lovely old market town of Hungerford. The town has a lovely wide main street with plenty of individual shops and a wide range of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Hungerford is well known for being an Antique centre and there were several places where we could see items that our grandmothers had, hundreds of rings, brooches and selections of china – an Aladdin’s cave
After lunch we travelled on to Kintbury where we boarded our horse-drawn barge for a 2 hour cruise down the Kennet and Avon canal. It was a very relaxing journey, travelling back in time and with a very welcome drink and delicious cake.
