Bring Back the Old Town
Restoring the historic urban grain and character that once defined this part of Newbury
Historic Urban Grain
The historic urban grain of the site can be observed and articulated using the 2D c.1880 plan. The historic photographs help to explore, understand and appreciate the massing and sense of place that once characterised this part of the town.
Conservation Area Character
This part of Newbury was once a thriving area of manufacturing surrounded by a collection of courts, yards and places that offered public houses, inns, cottage industries and modest residential accommodation.
Existing Examples of the Historic Urban Grain and Character
In addition to ‘The Arcade’, the immediate site once contained numerous tight-knit environments, called:
- Alma Court
- Essex Place
- Chestnut Court
- Ashton Court
- Crown Court
- Gilbert Court
- Falkland Place
- Herborough Place
All these places have been demolished to make way for the construction of the Kennet Centre. However, other examples of the tight-knit environments still exist in Newbury which underpin the essence of ‘Old Town’.
Historic Views
The Arcade
Formerly Church Court, The Arcade is one of the surviving examples of the tight-knit passageways that once characterised the site.
Saddler’s Court
A surviving example of the modest court typology that provides a sense of enclosure and intimacy characteristic of the historic town.
Weavers Walk
A contemporary example of the passageway typology, linking key routes through the town.
Cromwell Place
An existing example of the tight-knit environments that underpin the essence of Old Town Newbury.
Northcroft Lane
A surviving lane that demonstrates the pedestrian-scale character of historic Newbury.
Eight Bells
Another example of the passageway typology that provides connections through the town’s historic fabric.
The Courtyard
A courtyard space that reflects the historic yards and places that once populated the site.
Former Adnams Brewery
The former Adnams Brewery is a good example of the adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings in Newbury.