Wargrave
Encyclopedia
Wargrave is a large village and civil parish in the English
county of Berkshire
, which encloses the confluence of the River Loddon
and the River Thames
. It is in the Borough of Wokingham. The name Wargrave is derived from 'Weir-Grove', 'Weregreave', rather than a literal meaning of War Grave
and the village dates back to medieval times.
of 1086 records the settlement as having a population of 250. In the 13th century the current High Street was lined with plots and backstreets developed. The village continued to develop into its current form in the 18th century growing up the hill from the High Street eastwards so that by the end of the 19th century this axis, now Victoria Road, was fully settled.
In the 20th century the village's population grew significantly, especially in the 1970s and 80s as new developments on farmland inside the parish boundaries responded to demand for housing for commuters working in and on the western outskirts of London.
of the River Loddon
and the River Thames
. It is on the A321 road between Twyford
and Henley-on-Thames
. On the opposite bank of the River Thames are the villages of Shiplake
and Lower Shiplake.
Wargrave railway station
is on the Henley Branch Line between and . This railway provides a year-round direct link across the river to Shiplake and on to the end of the line, Henley-on-Thames, and allows connection for commuters to the regional centre Reading
and to London
. A large proportion of the residents in employment commute to outlying areas, as the village itself supports a small range of shops and businesses, but not enough to support the population.
of Saint Mary
dates from the 12th century and is part of the parish of Wargrave with Knowl Hill. It is off the High Street on Mill Green and was notably set on fire and gutted in 1914 as part of a mistakenly targeted direct action
by the Suffragette Movement
. The north door remains from the 12th century, the tower from 1635 and the remaining structure was built following the fire.
The Roman Catholic church of Our Lady of Peace
was built in 1963 and is supported by the Parish of Saint Thomas More
of the neighbouring village, Twyford.
for those who use the River Thames for leisure and sport.
In August, the Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta
is held over two days on the Shiplake
riverbank opposite. The regatta
combines serious and light-hearted racing in canoes, dinghies, dongolas and skiffs. It is the largest community event of the year having taken place since 1867. The event ends with a large firework display on the Saturday night.
s on High Street, serving the stage coaches travelling between Henley-on-Thames
and Reading
, there are now only four. The pubs remaining today are The Bull, The Greyhound, The St George and Dragon, and The White Hart. There is also The Queen Victoria public house in Upper Wargrave.
Wargrave has its own primary school, which is split into the infant school and junior school, and a secondary academy school - The Piggott School
before a comprehensive school now an academy. Each is a Church of England
voluntary controlled school
and are also feeder schools to each other. They are all named after a man called Robert Piggott.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, which encloses the confluence of the River Loddon
River Loddon
The River Loddon is a river in the English counties of Berkshire and Hampshire. It is a tributary of the River Thames, rising within the urban area of Basingstoke and flowing to meet the Thames near the village of Wargrave...
and the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. It is in the Borough of Wokingham. The name Wargrave is derived from 'Weir-Grove', 'Weregreave', rather than a literal meaning of War Grave
War grave
A war grave is a burial place for soldiers or civilians who died during military campaigns or operations. The term does not only apply to graves: ships sunk during wartime are often considered to be war graves, as are military aircraft that crash into water...
and the village dates back to medieval times.
History
The first documentary evidence of the settlement was recorded in 1061. The Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1086 records the settlement as having a population of 250. In the 13th century the current High Street was lined with plots and backstreets developed. The village continued to develop into its current form in the 18th century growing up the hill from the High Street eastwards so that by the end of the 19th century this axis, now Victoria Road, was fully settled.
In the 20th century the village's population grew significantly, especially in the 1970s and 80s as new developments on farmland inside the parish boundaries responded to demand for housing for commuters working in and on the western outskirts of London.
Geography
The village encloses the confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the River Loddon
River Loddon
The River Loddon is a river in the English counties of Berkshire and Hampshire. It is a tributary of the River Thames, rising within the urban area of Basingstoke and flowing to meet the Thames near the village of Wargrave...
and the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. It is on the A321 road between Twyford
Twyford, Berkshire
For other places of the same name, see Twyford.Twyford is a village and civil parish in the English Royal county of Berkshire. It is situated, at , in the heart of the Thames Valley on the A4 between Reading and Maidenhead, close to Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham.-History:The town's name is...
and Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
. On the opposite bank of the River Thames are the villages of Shiplake
Shiplake
Shiplake is a village and civil parish about south of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England on the River Thames.-History:The Church of England parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates from at least the 13th century, but in 1869 the Gothic Revival architect G.E. Street rebuilt the chancel,...
and Lower Shiplake.
Wargrave railway station
Wargrave railway station
Wargrave railway station is a railway station in the village of Wargrave in the county of Berkshire in England.The station is served by local services operated by First Great Western on the Henley-on-Thames branch between Henley-on-Thames and Twyford 3 km south...
is on the Henley Branch Line between and . This railway provides a year-round direct link across the river to Shiplake and on to the end of the line, Henley-on-Thames, and allows connection for commuters to the regional centre Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
and to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. A large proportion of the residents in employment commute to outlying areas, as the village itself supports a small range of shops and businesses, but not enough to support the population.
Religious sites
The Church of England parish churchChurch of England parish church
A parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
of Saint Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
dates from the 12th century and is part of the parish of Wargrave with Knowl Hill. It is off the High Street on Mill Green and was notably set on fire and gutted in 1914 as part of a mistakenly targeted direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
by the Suffragette Movement
Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom
Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom as a national movement began in 1872. Women were not prohibited from voting in the United Kingdom until the 1832 Reform Act and the 1835 Municipal Corporations Act...
. The north door remains from the 12th century, the tower from 1635 and the remaining structure was built following the fire.
The Roman Catholic church of Our Lady of Peace
Our Lady of Peace
Our Lady of Peace, Mother of Peace, Queen of Peace or Our Lady Queen of Peace is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. She is represented in art holding a dove and an olive branch, symbols of peace. Her official memorial feast is celebrated on January 24 each year in...
was built in 1963 and is supported by the Parish of Saint Thomas More
Thomas More
Sir Thomas More , also known by Catholics as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance humanist. He was an important councillor to Henry VIII of England and, for three years toward the end of his life, Lord Chancellor...
of the neighbouring village, Twyford.
The River
There are marinas and Wargrave Boating ClubWargrave Boating Club
Wargrave Boating Club is an English water sports club. It is based on the River Thames in England, at Wargrave on the reach above Marsh Lock....
for those who use the River Thames for leisure and sport.
In August, the Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta
Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta
The Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta is a regatta on the River Thames in England. It is the local regatta of the villages of Wargrave in Berkshire and Shiplake in Oxfordshire. Some of the boats used are of a traditional clinker-built style, others are fibre-glass....
is held over two days on the Shiplake
Shiplake
Shiplake is a village and civil parish about south of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England on the River Thames.-History:The Church of England parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates from at least the 13th century, but in 1869 the Gothic Revival architect G.E. Street rebuilt the chancel,...
riverbank opposite. The regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
combines serious and light-hearted racing in canoes, dinghies, dongolas and skiffs. It is the largest community event of the year having taken place since 1867. The event ends with a large firework display on the Saturday night.
Amenities
At one time there were seven public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s on High Street, serving the stage coaches travelling between Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
and Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, there are now only four. The pubs remaining today are The Bull, The Greyhound, The St George and Dragon, and The White Hart. There is also The Queen Victoria public house in Upper Wargrave.
Wargrave has its own primary school, which is split into the infant school and junior school, and a secondary academy school - The Piggott School
The Piggott School
'The Piggott School' is a Church of England academy secondary school in Wargrave in Berkshire, England. The school has approximately 1,516 pupils and around 185 teaching staff. The school specialises in Modern Languages and Humanities. It has been awarded International school status by the British...
before a comprehensive school now an academy. Each is a Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
voluntary controlled school
Voluntary controlled school
A voluntary controlled school is a state-funded school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in which a foundation or trust has some formal influence in the running of the school...
and are also feeder schools to each other. They are all named after a man called Robert Piggott.
Notable people
- Paul DanielsPaul DanielsPaul Daniels, born Newton Edward Daniels on 6 April 1938, is a British magician and television performer. He achieved international fame through his television series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.-Early life:...
, magician - Peter DavisonPeter DavisonPeter Davison is a British actor, best known for his roles as Tristan Farnon in the television version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and the fifth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, which he played from 1982 to 1984.-Early life:Davison was born Peter Moffett in Streatham,...
, actor - Sandra DickinsonSandra DickinsonSandra Dickinson is an American-British actress. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She has often played a dumb blonde with a high-pitched voice in the UK – notably commencing in the St...
, actress - Raymond BaxterRaymond BaxterRaymond Frederic Baxter, OBE was a British television presenter and writer. He is best known for being the first presenter of Tomorrow's World, continuing for 12 years, from 1965 to 1977...
, television presenter - Dave AllenDave Allen (comedian)David Tynan O'Mahoney , better known as Dave Allen, was an Irish comedian, very popular in Great Britain, Australia, and Canada in the 1960s and 1970s. He also became known in the United States through repeats of his shows on public television. His career had a major resurgence during the late...
, comedian - Mary HopkinMary HopkinMary Hopkin , credited on some recordings as Mary Visconti, is a Welsh folk singer best known for her 1968 UK number one single "Those Were The Days". She was one of the first musicians to sign to The Beatles' Apple label....
, singer - Robert MorleyRobert MorleyRobert Adolph Wilton Morley, CBE was an English actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment...
, actor - Angela BaddeleyAngela BaddeleyAngela Baddeley, CBE , born Madeline Angela Clinton-Baddeley, was an English actress best remembered for her role as Mrs Bridges in the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs...
, actress - Richard BarryRichard BarryRichard Barry is a former Irish Fine Gael politician. A publican before entering politics, he first stood for election in the Cork East constituency at the 1951 general election, but was unsuccessful. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at a by-election in 1953 following the death of the Labour...
, 7th Earl of Barrymore