Twyford

Twyford is an ancient settlement with earliest references dating back to the year 871 when Alfred the Great, his brother Ethelred and their army escaped their Viking pursuers by crossing the River Loddon at Twyford, following the first Battle of Reading.
This is how Twyford gained its Anglo Saxon name, which means double ford. The two fords, on the Old Bath Road to the west of the centre, are now bridged. The bridge nearest the village gave rise to the now Grade II Listed Bridge House, which stands in a commanding position adjacent and majestically looks out west over the River Loddon.

Although there have been a number of noteworthy residents of Twyford, perhaps its most famous son has to be William Penn (1644-1718) who went on to be the founder of Pennsylvania. He spent his last years in Ruscombe Fields, a property close to Twyford and is held in remembrance by a residential street named “Pennfields.” The area continues to attract the great and good, with the current most famous nearby resident being the local MP, Theresa May. She is a very active constituency MP and has visited Bridge House on a number of occasions.

Today, this small picturesque town, more commonly referred to as a village by its locals, boasts vital facilities like its GPs, a range of shops and supermarkets that include a Waitrose. There are also excellent schools, extensive leisure amenities and opportunities for engagement with cultural activities within the catchment area. Other desirable places like Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Windsor, Eton, Bray, Ascot, Reading, Wokingham and London are all accessible by train, none of which are too far.

The historic market towns of Henley and Marlow on Thames are well known for their annual Regatta events and beautiful riverside locations, while Windsor and Ascot are firm favorites with horse racing enthusiasts. Keeping with the sporting theme, golf at Wentworth and Sunningdale, as well as polo at the Guards Club in Windsor Great Park, are firmly established in the British season.