This week’a edition of ‘This week in West Berks’ comes from the wonderful hamlet of Burnt Hill.
Burnt Hill’s closest village is Yattendon (featured in last week’s edition) & it lies in the North Wessex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).
Historical records indicate that Burnt Hill was established as a brick making settlement in the 18th century & it’s name is believed to have been taken from the glow in the night sky from the firing of the bricks. In the village is Kiln Pond which was probably a source of clay for brick making.
As Burnt Hill is situated so close to Yattendon, much of the area is surrounded by Christmas trees.
There are a few particularly noteable buildings there, including the Methodist Chapel, which dates back from 1864 & is still in use today (albeit two Sunday’s a month). It’s a wonderful little building hidden on the end of a building which could easily be missed if you weren’t looking.
Another of the standout buildings of the hamlet is Nut & Bolt house. (No pictures of it are included in this blog as it is now a private dwelling. But you can’t miss it - it’s blue!). This house was formally the Axe & Compass pub, which dates back to at least 1817 (this is known because it was mentioned in the trial of the late William Fuller who stole a mare, a gelding & a coat!).
The pub was re-named in the 1970s when it was run by The Boltons. Rumour has it that the reason behind the name change was ‘because we are the Bolts & all of our customers are nuts!’
A charming little hamlet, with some beautiful buildings & countryside. Well worth an wonder to (really easy to extend a walk to Burnt Hill if you’re already visiting Yattendon!)
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