Ashampstead

Ashampstead is a small village and civil parish in the rural area between Reading, Newbury and Streatley in Berkshire, England. The parish population is about 400, occupying some 150 dwellings.

Ashampstead
Village and Civil parish
St. Clement's parish church
Ashampstead Location within Berkshire
Population	398 (2001 census)[1] 392 (2011 Census)[2]
OS grid reference	SU5676
Unitary authority	West Berkshire
Ceremonial county	Berkshire
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Reading
Postcode district	RG8
Dialling code	01635
Police	Thames Valley
Fire	Royal Berkshire
Ambulance	South Central
List of places UK England Berkshire 51.49°N 1.19°W / 51.49; -1.19

History

The village was called Esshamstede in the 13th and 14th centuries.^{[citation needed]} The Church of England parish church of Saint Clement dates from the 12th century. It has 13th century frescoes and a 15th-century wooden bell turret. It is believed the frescoes may have been painted by monks from the nearby Reading Abbey. The only remaining bell dates from 1662.^{[citation needed]}

Notable People

• The composer Henry Balfour Gardiner bought Field House, Ashampstead Green in 1909, moved in after alterations in 1911, and stayed until 1930.^[3] Many musicians, including Bax, Delius, Percy Grainger, Holst and Peter Warlock visited him there. The orchestral piece A Berkshire Idyll was completed there on 28 July, 1913.^[4]

See also

• List of places in Berkshire
• List of civil parishes in England