| Winterbourne | |
|---|---|
| Village and civil parish | |
 St James' parish church | |
.svg)  Winterbourne Location within | |
| Population | 189 (2011 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SU4572 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Newbury |
| Postcode district | RG20 |
| Dialling code | 01635 |
| UK Parliament | |
Winterbourne is a village and civil parish in the Berkshire Downs about 3 miles (5 km) north of Newbury in West Berkshire.
Winterbourne has a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), called Winterbourne Chalk Pit and another on its western border called Snelsmore Common[2][3]
The Church of England parish church of Saint James was completely redeveloped in the 18th and 19th centuries. The north chapel was added in 1712 and the bell tower in 1759. The architect J.W. Hugall rebuilt the nave in 1854 and a Mr. Hudson restored the chancel in 1895. Hudson retained the chancel's 14th-century east window, and an earlier lancet window in the south wall.[4] The building is Grade II* listed.[5]
Winterbourne and the surrounding area had an eventful Civil War. Donnington Castle was damaged by cannon; the First and Second Battles of Newbury were fought nearby. On 26 October 1644, Cromwell stayed the night in the Blue Boar public house in the north of the parish and his forces camped at North Heath. In July that year, his forces had taken on Prince Rupert and company at Ripley in Yorkshire, during which a successful (for the Parliamentarians) skirmish, they stole a statue of a wild boar that Lord Ingleby had brought back from Italy as one of a pair.[6][better source needed] The other remains in Ripley Castle. The blue boar was left at the pub, now The Crab Hotel.
Bus travel from Newbury is provided by Newbury and District service 5A, twice daily on weekdays.[7]
