Englefield Village is situated in West Berkshire, 6 miles west of Reading and just over 12 miles east of Newbury.

Englefield means Field of the Angles, a reference to a battle that was fought here in 871 AD between the Saxons and the Danes. The Englefield family were sheriffs and knights of the shire throughout the Middle Ages and became prominent figures in the royal court in the 16th century. The first Benyon to live at Englefield was Richard Benyon, who as an orphan went out to work for the East India Company and returned to England in 1744.

In the late 19th century Richard Fellowes Benyon restored both the house and the village as a model estate village, modernising existing cottages and farm buildings and significantly improving the village church, working with architect Gilbert Scott.

Today, Englefield Village sits at the heart of the wider Englefield Estate. It is a vibrant community incorporating a range of housing, businesses and community organisations.

Englefield Village Hall

Originally opened in 1884, Englefield Village Hall is a beautiful venue at the heart of the village. It is available to hire and suitable for a wide range of events, from birthday parties to public meetings, charitable and fundraising events, keep-fit and dance classes, weddings, christenings and corporate events.

Following the closure of Englefield Social Club in December 2018, a community consultation took place to gather feedback on the future of the venue. Planning consent was granted in 2019 and in 2020 refurbishment works were completed. The project team has taken great care to reinstate the building to its original Victorian design, whilst bringing the building into the 21st century, creating a modern, flexible space, suitable for a wide range of activities and user groups.

To find out more and to book the space, visit: www.englefieldvillagehall.co.uk.

Englefield Stores & Tea Room

Located in the centre of the village, Englefield Stores stocks a selection of store cupboard essentials, as well as local produce including fresh bread, honey and eggs. The Store opening times are:

• Monday - 08:30 to 16:30
• Tuesday - 10:00 to 15:00
• Wednesday - 08:30 to 16:30
• Thursday - 08:30 to 14:00
• Friday - 08:30 to 16:30
• Saturday - 09:00 to 12:30
• Sunday - Closed

The Tea Rooms offer hearty breakfasts (served 10:00-11:30), a range of freshly prepared sandwiches, paninis, jacket potatoes and hot meals, as well as afternoon teas and homemade cakes. The tea rooms also offer a catering service for external events upon request. The Tea Rooms are open:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 to 15:00

For more information, visit www.englefieldstoresandtearooms.co.uk or contact Liz Wirth on 0118 930 2479.

St Mark’s Church

The village church of St Mark’s is a close neighbour to Englefield House and serves the parish of Englefield. The church dates back to the second half of the twelfth century and has a long association with the Benyon family and the local people of Englefield, as church records show.

Nowadays, the church plays a central role in the community and welcomes a weekly Sunday congregation as well as hosting baptisms, weddings and funerals for the village and surrounding area.

Find out more about St Mark’s here.

Englefield Garden Centre

Located within an impressive Victorian walled garden, Englefield Garden Centre can be found in the centre of the village. As a working nursery, the garden centre grows most of its produce on site. As well as selling vegetables, fruit, flowers and shrubs, the nursery offers a range of gardening tools, accessories and giftware.

Since 1995, the garden centre has been run by the Affinity Trust, a charitable organisation that supports adults with learning disabilities by offering them a place of work and the opportunity to learn new skills. With the help of its employees, the garden centre produces over 100,000 plants annually, including a range of herbs, colourful cottage perennials and top quality shrubs and fruit trees.

Find out more about Englefield Garden Centre here.

Five a Day Market Garden

Across the road from Englefield Garden Centre lies the village’s Five a Day Market Garden. Founded in 2009 by Pam Goddard, the Five a Day Market Garden has since become a productive not for profit community initiative providing food and flowers for local people.

The Five a Day Market Garden is open two days a week selling seasonal produce and flowers. The organisation also runs team-building events, community education projects and garden tours. They work closely with local schools and other groups to educate people on growing produce, healthy eating and sustainability.

For more information visit the Five a Day Market Garden website.

Englefield Cricket Club

Founded in 1894 in the grounds of Englefield deer park, Englefield Cricket Club enjoys the unique backdrop of Englefield House and is a truly beautiful location to enjoy a game of cricket.

The club enjoys a packed schedule of fixtures throughout the summer months and is always on the hunt for new members to join the team.

To find out more or get in touch visit the club’s website.