Berkshire Downs

The Berkshire Downs are a range of chalk downland hills in southern England, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Berkshire Downs are wholly within the traditional county of Berkshire, although split between the current ceremonial counties of Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The western parts of the downs are also known as the Lambourn Downs.

Geography

The Berkshire Downs run east–west, with their scarp slope facing north into the Vale of White Horse and their dip slope bounded by the course of the River Kennet. Geologically they are continuous with the Marlborough Downs to the west and the Chilterns to the east. In the east they are divided from the Chilterns by Goring Gap on the River Thames. In the west their boundary is generally taken to be the border between Berkshire and Wiltshire, although the downs in Wiltshire between the Berkshire border and the valley of the River Og are sometimes considered to be part of the Berkshire Downs.

History

Berkshire

Berkshire (/ˈbɑːrkʃər/ or /ˈbɑːrkʃɪər/, abbreviated Berks) is a county of south east England, located to the west of London. It has also been known as the Royal County of Berkshire since at least the 19th century because of the presence of Windsor Castle and was recognised as such by the Queen in 1957 and letters patent issued in 1974. Berkshire is a county of historic origin and is both a ceremonial county and a non-metropolitan county without a county council. Berkshire County Council was the main county governance from 1889 to 1998 except for the separately administered County Borough of Reading.

In 1974, significant alterations were made to the county's administrative boundaries although the traditional boundaries of Berkshire were not changed. The towns of Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage were transferred to Oxfordshire, Slough was gained from Buckinghamshire and the separate administration of Reading was ended. Since 1998, Berkshire has been governed by the six unitary authorities of Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham. It borders the counties of Oxfordshire (to the north), Buckinghamshire (to the north-east), Greater London (to the east), Surrey (to the south-east), Wiltshire (to the west) and Hampshire (to the south).

East Ilsley

Coordinates: 51°30′54″N 1°15′14″W / 51.515°N 1.254°W / 51.515; -1.254

East Ilsley is a village and civil parish in the Berkshire or Lambourn Downs northern part of West Berkshire, north of Newbury centred immediately east of the A34 road dual carriageway which passes through the length of the village from north to south. It is in the ceremonial and historic county of Berkshire and has the vast majority of its buildings in a traditional clustered centre.

Amenities

The village has a highest grade listed church that is mostly made from medieval stone, a minority of other buildings close by which are listed and pubs.

East Ilsley has an area to picnic by the pond, feeding the ducks, spend a few moments. Football is made available by local subscription on the recreation playground.

Transport

Public transport

East Ilsley's nearest station is Didcot Parkway, providing direct services to the West, West Midlands and London. The South Coast and East Anglia can be reached by changes at Reading/twice in London respectively.Compton railway station 1882-1962.