Beech Hill, Berkshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beech Hill |
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 St Mary the Virgin Church |
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 Beech Hill
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| Area | 4.70 km2 (1.81 sq mi) |
| Population | 294 (2011 census) |
| • Density | 63/km2 (160/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SU696644 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Reading |
| Postcode district | RG7 |
| Dialling code | 0118 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Royal Berkshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Beech Hill is a small village in Berkshire, England. It is located in the south-east part of the West Berkshire area. The village is close to the borders of Hampshire and the Wokingham district.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Beech Hill" comes from the Norman family of De La Bec. This family lived in Aldworth and also had a home at Beaumys Castle. This castle was just outside the village's boundary in Swallowfield.
Exploring Beech Hill's Geography
Beech Hill stretches from the River Loddon in the east to Trunkwell in the west. It also goes north to Clappers Farm and south to the Hampshire border. The village itself sits on a small hill. This hill is above the Loddon Valley. It is located where Beech Hill Road and Wood Lane meet.
The Foudry Brook flows through the northern part of the parish. This brook is a small river that joins the River Kennet. The Reading–Basingstoke railway line also runs through the north of the parish.
Special Nature Areas
Part of the Stanford End Mill and River Loddon Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is in Beech Hill. This is a special area protected for its wildlife and natural features. It is just south-east of the village.
A Look Back in Time: Beech Hill's History
An ancient Roman Road called the Camlet Way passes through Beech Hill. This road connected Verulamium (modern St. Albans) to Calleva Atrebatum (modern Silchester). It joins another Roman road, the Devil's Highway, at Fair Cross on Beech Hill's southern border.
The Priory is a house from the 1600s. It stands on the site of an older priory. This older priory was a type of monastery. It was founded in 1170 and closed in 1399. Beech Hill House was built in 1720. It is on the eastern side of the village. This house is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is historically important.
Trunkwell House is on the west side of the village. It was originally a Tudor home. The current large country house was built in 1878. Today, Trunkwell House is a hotel and restaurant. It is linked to the local pub, The Elm Tree Inn. The Church of England parish church of St Mary the Virgin was built in 1867. It was designed by William Butterfield. This church is a Grade II* listed building, making it very important historically.
Getting Around: Transport
The closest train station to Beech Hill is Mortimer. It is about 1.7 miles east of the village. From Mortimer, you can catch trains to Reading and Basingstoke.
How Beech Hill is Governed
Beech Hill used to be part of a larger parish called Stratfield Saye. Most of that parish was in Hampshire. In 1894, the part of Stratfield Saye in Berkshire became its own civil parish.
Today, Beech Hill is part of the West Berkshire unitary authority. This means it has its own local government. The village is represented in the UK Parliament by the MP for Wokingham.
Images for kids
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A gold quarter noble coin. It was found in Beech Hill and dates from 1361 to 1369.
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