Serviced Apartments in Newbury

Discover the best activities and attractions Newbury has to offer, and find out what makes this city a vibrant and exciting place to live or visit.

Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is one of the town’s biggest draws, hosting flat and National Hunt racing plus high-profile fixtures (e.g., the Lockinge and Dubai Duty Free Finals days), large-scale concerts and corporate events. Its impact on the local economy is significant—drawing day visitors and overnight stays, supporting hospitality, catering and local taxi services, and providing seasonal and permanent jobs. What makes it special is the combination of top-class racing, family-friendly hospitality areas, flexible event spaces and picturesque views across the Berkshire downland.

Shaw House
Shaw House is a striking 16th‑/17th‑century manor in the heart of Newbury, used for exhibitions, community events, weddings and educational programmes. As a heritage hub it enriches local identity, attracts cultural tourists and supports small local suppliers (caterers, florists, guides), while offering volunteer and learning opportunities. Its significance comes from well‑preserved historic architecture, attractive gardens beside the River Lambourn, and a busy programme of talks, workshops and seasonal events that connect residents and visitors with local history.

West Berkshire Museum
The West Berkshire Museum (in Newbury town centre) showcases archaeology, local history, industry and art from the surrounding area, with changing exhibitions, family activities and learning programmes. It contributes to the community by providing free or low‑cost educational resources for schools and families, supporting local artists and heritage projects, and bringing visitors into the town centre who then use shops and cafés. The museum’s strength is its focus on place-based stories—finding local connections to bigger national narratives—and an accessible programme of temporary exhibitions and events.

Kennet & Avon Canal, Newbury Wharf and Victoria Park
The Kennet & Avon Canal and the adjoining Victoria Park and Newbury Wharf area offer a mix of outdoor recreation, waterside cafés and boating activities. These green and blue spaces are vital for residents’ wellbeing, attract walkers, cyclists and boaters, and sustain small businesses (boat hire, cafés, waterside pubs). Victoria Park is a family‑friendly open space with playgrounds and events in summer; the Canal towpath provides scenic routes through town and wildlife‑rich pockets. The combination of riverside dining, leisurely boat trips and easy urban access makes this area a local favourite.

Newbury Market, Northbrook Street shopping & Corn Exchange (markets & cultural events)
Newbury’s shopping and market district—anchored by Northbrook Street, the Market Place and the Corn Exchange—mixes independent shops, national retailers, regular markets and an active events programme. The monthly farmers’ and artisan markets, seasonal street markets and the Corn Exchange’s concerts, comedy nights and community shows bring footfall into the town, supporting retail, cafés and hospitality. This constellation is important economically (day‑visitor spend, small-business turnover) and culturally (local makers, live arts and community gatherings), offering a lively town‑centre experience distinct to Newbury.

Explore the diverse transport options available in Newbury, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Rail (Newbury railway station) - Main station on the Great Western network with regular services to Reading and onward connections to London Paddington and destinations across the west and southwest; provides commuter and regional rail links for work and leisure.
- Newbury Racecourse station (event services) - Special/seasonal rail stops serving race days and major events at Newbury Racecourse, supplementing the town’s regular rail provision.
- Local bus services - Network of local and regional buses serving the town centre, suburbs and surrounding towns and villages (eg. Thatcham, Hungerford and villages across West Berkshire); operated by national and local bus companies and providing frequent connections for short and medium-distance journeys.
- Long-distance coach links - Limited direct long-distance coach services; wider national coach networks and connections are available from nearby larger hubs (Reading, Swindon) for intercity travel.
- Taxis, private hire and ride-hailing - Local taxi firms and private-hire operators cover the town and surrounding area; ride-hailing apps operate with variable coverage depending on demand.
- Community transport and specialist services - Volunteer-run and council-supported community transport options, dial-a-ride and accessible transport schemes provide door-to-door and demand-responsive services for elderly and disabled residents.

Major Highways
- M4 - Major east–west motorway to the north of Newbury providing fast road access to London to the east and to the west (Bristol, South Wales) via the national motorway network.
- A34 - Principal north–south trunk route skirting the town that links the M4 corridor with the Midlands and the south coast; important for through-traffic and freight movements.
- A4 - Historic east–west route running through or close to the town that connects Newbury with Reading and the Kennet Valley to the east and with Bath and the west beyond.
- A339 - Regional route linking Newbury southwards toward Basingstoke and providing key local and regional connectivity.

Cycling Infrastructure
- Cycling network and routes - A mix of on-road cycle lanes, quieter residential streets with traffic-calming measures, shared-use paths (including towpaths along the Kennet and Avon Canal) and local cycle routes linking neighborhoods, the town centre and the railway station; National Cycle Network routes run close by and the council has been developing local cycling links and signage to improve safety and connectivity.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Rail station and service enhancements - Ongoing and recent upgrades focused on station accessibility, passenger facilities and timetable resilience, along with rolling-stock improvements on regional services to improve capacity and journey comfort.
- Bus reliability and network improvements - Local authority and operators’ initiatives to improve bus punctuality, revise routes to match demand, and promote integrated ticketing and park & ride/park & share options where available.
- Road junction and carriageway upgrades - Targeted junction improvements and resurfacing schemes on key approaches into Newbury (A4/A339 and other strategic links) aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety on commuter routes.
- Active travel and cycle route investment - Schemes to extend and upgrade cycle routes, pedestrian improvements in the town centre, better cycle parking and promotion of walking/cycling as part of local travel plans.
- Electric vehicle infrastructure rollout - Incremental expansion of public EV charging points across the town centre, car parks and at strategic locations to support a switch to low-emission vehicles.
- Strategic corridor and planning work - Ongoing regional planning and corridor studies to manage growth, improve strategic links with the M4/A34 corridors, and deliver longer-term transport interventions that support commuting and freight movement while encouraging sustainable travel options.