Burghfield Bridge

Burghfield Bridge is a hamlet in the civil parish of Burghfield, which stands to the south of it in the English county of Berkshire. The settlement is situated between the village of Burghfield and the Reading suburb of Southcote.

Burghfield Bridge
Hamlet
Burghfield Bridge
Burghfield Bridge is located in Berkshire
Burghfield Bridge
Burghfield Bridge
Location within Berkshire
OS grid referenceSU680706
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townREADING
Postcode districtRG30
Dialling code0118
PoliceThames Valley
FireRoyal Berkshire
AmbulanceSouth Central
UK Parliament

History

The bridge

The hamlet is so-called due to the bridge crossing the River Kennet (now part of the Kennet and Avon Canal). The river was first crossed in the area in the thirteenth century by the Lord of the Manor, Matthew. The original Burghfield Bridge was built by the De Burghfield family, but they had arguments with King Edward I over who should repair it. There was a minor skirmish there after the First Battle of Newbury in 1643. The current bridge was built c.1812 and is a Grade II listed structure.[1]

World War II

In the early Part of World War II, several anti-invasion measures were installed across the borough, including a fortified house at Burghfield Bridge.[2] Iverne House is situated 100m to the south of the Bridge and was originally a stables. This was converted into a two-storey shell-proof infantry strongpoint around 1941/42. There are gun ports clearly visible from the main Burghfield to Reading Road. The building was converted to a private dwelling in 1994[2]

Business

Burghfield Bridge is the location of Keynote Studios, a recording studio used by, among others, The Race.[3]

There is a disused water mill, Burghfield Mill, located alongside the River Kennet, to the west of Burghfield Bridge, now converted to residential apartments.[4] Burghfield Lock is nearby on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Local legend

Burghfield Bridge is involved in the local legend of the Cunning Man. Various stories exist regarding the legend, citing the Cunning Man as a wizard from nearby Tadley, who was able to heal both ailments and broken relationships. Another explanation is that a local building (now the Peter Pan Café) was built by a cunning man using bricks placed on their sides - so to use less building materials. The story lends its name to the local pub.

Transport

Burghfield Bridge is served by Reading Buses routes 2, 2a and 2b. The hamlet is located near to Reading services on the M4 motorway, although the nearest access point to the road is at junction 11, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the south-east. The nearest railway stations to the hamlet are Theale and Reading West. Both stations are located a little more than 2 miles (3.2 km) away.

References
  1. Historic England. "BURGHFIELD BRIDGE AT SU 682709 (1313029)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  2. "Defence of Britain Archive". Archaeology Data Service. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  3. "Keynote Studios - Recording". 23 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 November 2008.
  4. "Burghfield Mill". Mills Archive. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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