Bradshaw's Railway Handbook Vol 2: Tours in North and South Wales (Plus Western and Southwestern England and parts of Ireland)

By George Bradshaw

'Hard to put down ... truthful and opinionated, often funny but never predictable ... the finest travelling companion.' – Michael Portillo on Bradshaw

A superb guide to Britain's villages, towns and connecting railways, dating from 1866. Unavailable for many years and much sought after, this classic guide book is now faithfully reissued for a new generation. Bradshaw's Railway Handbook was originally published in 1866 under the title Bradshaw's Handbook for Tourists in Great Britain and Ireland. It appeared in four volumes as a comprehensive handbook for domestic tourists, offering a detailed view of English life in the Victorian age. Now available to a new generation of readers, it will appeal to railway, steam and transport enthusiasts, local historians, and anyone with an interest in British heritage, the Victorian period, or the nation's industrial past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Aug 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781844861583

George Bradshaw

George Bradshaw (1801-1853) was an English cartographer, printer and publisher. He is most famous for developing a series of railway timetables and guides. The books became synonymous with its publisher so that, for Victorians and Edwardians alike, a railway timetable was 'a Bradshaw'. After his death Punch magazine said of Bradshaw's labours: 'seldom has the gigantic intellect of man been employed upon a work of greater utility.'

Book preview

SECTION II

BRADSHAW’S TOURS

THROUGH THE COUNTIES OF

BERKS, BUCKINGAM, WILTS, DORSET, DEVON

CORNWALL, SOMERSET, GLOUCESTER

THE SOUTH WALES DISTRICTS, OXFORD, WARWICK

SALOP, CHESTER, FLINT

CARNARVON, ANGLESEA, AND THROUGH IRELAND.

A Conway ebook

© Conway 2012

First published in 2012 by Conway,

an imprint of Anova Books Ltd.

10 Southcombe Street

London W14 0RA

www.anovabooks.com

www.conwaypublishing.com

ISBN 9781844861781

CONTENTS TO SECTION II.

ABERYSTWITH AND WELSH COAST

BIRKENHEAD

Chester to Birkenhead and Liverpool

Chester to Manchester

Bishop’s Castle

BRISTOL AND EXETER

Bristol to Highbridge

Durston to Yeovil

Highbridge to Durston Junction

Taunton to Watchet

Tiverton Branch

Weston Super Mare Branch

Yatton to Clevedon

BRISTOL PORT AND PIER

CAMBRIAN

CARMARTHEN AND CARDIGAN

CHESHIRE MIDLAND

Altrincham to Knutsford and Northwich

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD

Bangor to Carnarvon and Nantile

Chester to Conway, Bangor and Holyhead

Chester to Mold

Conway to Llandudno

CONWAY AND LLANRWST

CORNWALL

Plymouth to Truro

EXETER AND EXMOUTH

GREAT WESTERN

Brymbo, Minera &c. Branch

Chippenham to Calne

Chippenham to Dorchester and Weymouth

Chipping Norton J. to Bourton-on-the-Water

Chipping Norton Junc. to Chipping Norton

Didcot to Oxford, Birmingham Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury Chester Birkenhead  and Manchester

Gloucester to Newport, Swansea, Carmarthen and Milford Haven

Gloucester to Ross and Hereford

Gobowen to Oswestry and Newtown

Hartlebury to Shrewsbury

Honeybourne to Stratford-on-Avon

Leominster to Kington

London to Reading Bath and Bristol

Maidenhead to Reading

Maidenhead to Wycombe and Oxford

Maiden Newton to Bridport

Melksham to Devizes

Newport to Abergavenny and Hereford

Oxford to Worcester and Wolverhampton

Pontypool Road to Merthyr

Pontypool Road to Usk and Monmouth

Reading to Basingstoke

Reading to Hungerford and Devizes

Savernake to Marlborough

Slough to Windsor

Swindon to Gloucester and Cheltenham

Trowbridge to Bradford and Bath

Twyford to Henley

Westbury to Salisbury

West Drayton to Uxbridge

Witham to Shepton Mallet and Wells

Worcester to Hereford

HEREFORD, HAY, AND BRECON

KNIGHTON

Craven Arms to Knighton

LLANELLY

Llanelly to Carmarthen and Landovery

LLYNVI VALLEY

MANCHESTER, SOUTH JUNCTION AND ALTRINCHAM

Bowdon and Altrincham to Manchester

MERTHYR  TREDEGAR  AND ABERGAVENNY

MONMOUTHSHIRE

NORTH DEVON

Exeter to Barnstable and Bideford

PEMBROKE AND TENBY

SHREWSBURY AND HEREFORD

Hereford to Shrewsbury

SHREWSBURY AND WELSHPOOL

SOMERSET AND DORSET

Highbridge to Glastonbury,Wells and Templecombe

SOUTH DEVON

Exeter to Torquay and Plymouth

Newton Junction to Torquay and Brixham

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

Dudley to Walsall  Derby  and Burton

TAFF VALE

Cardiff to Aberdare and Merthyr Tydvil

VALE OF CLWYD

Rhyl to Denbigh, Ruthin  and Corwen

VALE OF LLANGOLLEN

VALE OF NEATH

Swansea to Merthyr Tydvil

WARRINGTON AND STOCKPORT

Warington toTimperley

WEST CORNWALL

Truro to Redruth and Penzance

IRELAND

BELFAST AND NORTHERN COUNTIES

Belfast to Ballymena and Portrush

Cookstown Junction to Cookstown

BELFAST AND COUNTY DOWN

CORK AND BANDON

CORK AND LIMERICK DIRECT

DUBLIN AND BELFAST JUNCTION

Drogheda to Dundalk, Newry & Portadown

DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA

Drogheda to Kelis and Oldcastle

Dublin to Howth

Dublin to Mulahide and Drogheda

DUBLIN AND MEATH

DUBLIN, WICKLOW AND WEXFORD

DUNDALK  ENNISKILLEN & LONDONDERRY

FINN VALLEY

GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN

Dublin to Cork and Killarney

Kildare to Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford

Roscrea Junc. to Parsonstown and Limerick

Portalington to Tullamore and Athlone

KILLARNEY LAKES, Excursions to the

KINGSTOWN TO DUBLIN

LIMERICK AND FOYNES

LONDONDERRY AND COLERAINE

MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN

Athenry to Tuam

Dublin to Mullinger, Athlone and Galway

Mullingar to Cavan and Sligo

NEWRY, WARRENPOINT & ROSTREVOR

PORTADOWN, DUNGANNON, & OMAGH

ULSTER— Clones to Armagh and Belfast

INDEX TO STATION NAMES

Aberdare

Abergavenny

Abergele

Aberystwith

Abingdon

Adare

Addlestrop and Stow Road

Aldermaston

Alrewas

Altrincham and Bowdon

Antrim

Armagh

Ashley

Athlone

Bagillt

Balbriggan

Ballymena

Banbury

Bandon

Bangor

Banwell

Barmouth

Barnstaple

Baschurch

Basingstoke

Bath

Beaumaris

Beauparc

Belfast

Bewdley

Bideford

Bilston

Birdhill

Birkenhead

Bodorgan

Bradford

Bray

Brecon

Bridgend

Bridgewater

Bridgnorth

Bridport

Brimscomb

Bristol

Bristol Port And Pier

Brixham

Bucknell

Builth

Burnham

Buttevant

Calne

Camborne

Cardiff

Carlow

Carmarthen

Carnarvon

Carrickfergus

Castle Cary

Castleblaney

Charlbury

Cheltenham

Chepstow

Chester

Chippenham

Chirk

Church Stretton

Cirencester

Clarbeston Road

Clevedon

Clones

Coalbrookdale

Codford

Coleraine

Collumpton

Condover

Conway

Cookstown

Cork

Corsham

Crediton

Culham (Junction)

Dartmouth

Dawlish

Denbigh

Devizes

Didcot (Junction)

Dingestow

Dolgelley

Donaghadee

Downpatrick

Drogheda

Droitwich

Dublin

Dudley

Dundalk

Dungannon

Durston Junction

Enniskillen

Eton

Evesham

Exeter

Exmouth

Falmouth

Faringdon

Fearnall Heath

Flint

Foynes

Frodsham

Frome

Galway

Glastonbury

Gloucester

Gobowen Junction

Great Malvern

Gresford

Handborough

Hanwell

Hartlebury

Haverfordwest

Hay

Hayle

Hele

Helsby

Henley

Hereford

Heytesbury

High Wycombe

Highbridge

Holme Lacey

Holyhead

Holywell

Holywood

Hope

Horsehay

Hungerford

Ilfracombe

Ince

Ivy Bridge

Johnston

Kells

Keynsham

Kidderminster

Kidwelly

Kildare Junction

Kilkenny

Killarney

Kilmallock

Kingstown

Kington

Kinsale

Knighton

Lamphey

Landore

Langley

Larne

Launceston

Leamington

Ledbury

Leominster

Limerick

Lisburn

Llanberis

Llandaff

Llandilo

Llandovery

Llandudno

Llanelly

Llangadock

Llanidloes

Llanrwst

Llantrissant

Londonderry

Longford

Longhope

Lostwithiel

Ludlow

Lymm

Machynlleth

Malahibe

Mallow

Marazion Road

Marlborough

Maryborough

Maynooth

Melksham

Menai Bridge

Merthyr

Milford

Mobberley

Moira

Mold

Monaghan

Montgomery

Moreton

Moreton-In-The-Marsh

Mostyn Quay

Much Wenlock

Mullingar

Narberth Road

Navan

Neath

New Milford

Newbridge

Newbury

Newnham

Newport

Newry

Newton Junction

Newtown

Newtownards

Northwich

Omagh

Oswestry

Oxford

Padeswood

Pangbourne

Pelsall

Pembrey

Pembridge

Pembroke

Pembroke Dock

Penzance

Pershore

Plymouth

Pontrilas

Pontypool Road

Port Talbot

Portadown

Portarlington

Portrush

Prestatyn

Raglan

Randalstown

Reading

Rednal

Redruth

Rhayader

Rhuddlan

Rhyl

Roscrea

Ross

Rossett

Rostrevor

Ruabon

Saltford

Saltney

Shepton Mallet

Shiffnal

Shipton

Shrewsbury

Shrivenham

Skerries

Sligo

Slough

Southall

Sparkford

St. Asaph

St. Austell

St. Clears

St. Cyres

St. George’s Harbour

St. Ives

Steventon

Stonehouse

Stourbridge

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Stroud

Swansea

Taunton

Tavistock

Teignmouth

Tenbury

Tenby

Tetbury Road

Thurles

Tiverton

Torquay

Totness

Towyn

Trent Valley Junction

Trowbridge

Truro

Tullamore

Twyford

Usk

Uxbridge

Vale of Llangollen

Wallingford

Walsall

Wantage

Warminster

Warrenpoint

Warwick

Watchet

Waterford

Wednesbury

Wellington

Wells

Welshpool

West Drayton

Westbury

Whitland

Whittington

Wichnor

Wicklow

Wiley

Wilton

Wincanton

Wishford

Wolverhampton

Woodstock Road

Woolaston

Woolhampton

Wootton Basset

Worcester

Wrexham

Yeovil

BRADSHAW’S DESCRIPTIVE RAILWAY HAND-BOOK OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

SECTION II

NOTE.—Within the text there are indicators on the following pages which are intended to shew the point at which a Branch deviates from the Main Line. The indicator details whether the branch lines is to the right or left hand of the railway. The termination of the Branch is also shewn.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

London to Slough.

The Metropolitan Terminus of the Great Western Railway is situated on the western side of the Paddington Canal, in a line with Praed street, Paddington, at the north-west extremity of London, and at a short distance from the northern avenues to Hyde Park, thus affording an easy access to and from all parts of town. Omnibuses leave the City one hour before the departure of each train, and call at all the booking-offices on their way, which, in addition to the cabs, leave the passenger at no loss for a prompt conveyance to this Terminus—one of the largest and most commodious stations in London. Its external appearance is not very remarkable,—but the booking-offices are convenient, the waiting-rooms comfortable, the platforms, for the arrival and departure trains, spacious enough to accommodate the largest number of excursionists ever accumulated,—and the vast area embraced by the immense roofs by which the station is covered, impart to the mind of the traveller the impression, that he is about to start by the railway of a first-rate company.

It is the joint work of Messrs. Brunel and M. D.Wyatt, the former having arranged the general plan, engineering, and business portion; the latter the architectural details in every department. The principle adopted by them, was to avoid any recurrence to existing styles and to make the experiment of designing everything in accordance with the structural purpose or nature of the materials employed—iron and cement. The office buildings are 580 feet long, varying from thirty to forty in width. The departments for directing and managing the affairs of the Company are carried on in the upper portion of the building, and those in connection with the traffic to and from the station in the lower part.

The space occupied by the platforms and lines of railway under the curved roofing is 700 feet long, and 240 feet six inches wide, and contains four platforms and ten lines of railway. The two platforms on the departure side of the station are respectively twenty-seven feet and twenty-four feet six inches wide; and the other two, on the arrival side, are twenty-one feet and forty-seven inches. The latter is of stone. The roofing over the above space is divided into three longitudinal openings, with two transepts, each fifty feet wide, at one-third and two-thirds ofthe length, the length of which are each 700 feet, and their respective widths seventy feet, 102 feet six inches, and sixty-eight feet. The central half of the curved roofs is glazed, and the other portion is covered with corrugated galvanized iron. The work was done by Messrs. Fox, Henderson, and Co.

On the departure of the train, it threads the sinuosities of the station at an easy rate, and we have time to notice the metamorphosis that has taken place in the environs of the line; walls have become green embankments, embankments diminished into hedges, and hedges grown into avenues of trees, waving a leafy adieu as we are carried past. The increasing velocity of the train now conveys us rapidly into the suburbs of the metropolis—past Kensal Green Cemetery on the right, Wormwood Scrubs on the left, and a transient glimpse is obtained of the London and North-Western Railway winding its course towards the midland counties.

The route at first lies through the Thames Valley, then, after passing the. elevated plains to the north of Marborongh Downs, it gradually descends down onto the fertile and picturesque valley of the Avon. Emerging from a slight excavation, we come to an embankment crossing Old Oak Common so named from its having been the site of a thick forest of oaks. The village of Acton, which lies to the left is linked to the metropolis by one almost uninterrupted line of houses, through which the North-Western Junction Railway passes, connecting the North-Western Railway with those of the South-Western.

Ealing Station. — Gunnersbury Park, Baron Rothschild; Castlebear Hill, and Twford Abbey, close by. Thence passing the pretty hamlet of Drayton Green we stop at

HANWELL.

Population, 2,687.

Distance from station, ¼ mile.

A telegraph station

Money Order Office at Southall.

From this station the line passes in a gentle curve over the Wharncliffe Viaduct, a massive and elegant structure, which commands extensive views on both sides. The Uxbridge road is seen winding beneath, and afar off may be discerned, outlined in the blue distance, the undulating range of Surrey hills, with the rich, leafy, loftiness of Richmond Hill and Park occasionally intervening. In the foreground will be noticed Osterley Park, the seat of the Earl of Jersey; and the most interesting object in the landscape is Hanwell Asylum, generously devoted to the reception of the indigent insane.

SOUTHALL.

A telegraph station.

Hotel.—Red Lion.

Market Day.—Wednesday.

At this station a short branch, 3¾ miles, turns of to the left, by which a connection with the South Western is formed at

Brentford, see Sec. I.

Crossing the Paddington and Grand Junction Canal we pass alternately through excavation and embankment on to

WEST DRAYTON.

Distance from station, ¼ mile.

A telegraph station.

Hotels.—Crown; King’s Head; De Burgh Arms.

Money Order Office at Uxbridge.

Here, in the early mornings of summer and golden evenings of autumn, descends many a brother of the rod and line, who in the confluence of the Colne and Crane, finds a prolific source of pleasure from his favourite pastime.

We now cross the western boundary of Midddlesex, and then pass over a small corner of Buckinghamshire, between West Drayton and Maidenhead, into the county of Berks.

Branch deviation right

UXBBIDGE (Branch).

Population, 3,815.

A telegraph station.

Hotels.—Chequers; King’s Arms.

Market Day.—Thursday (Corn).

Fairs —25th March, 31st July, 29th September, 11th October.

The inhabitants are principally engaged in the corn trade, some in agricultural tool making, and others in making windows, chairs, bricks, &c. Is interesting historically as the place where King Charles I. tried to negotiate with Parliament in 1645. It was also occupied by Oliver Cromwell, in 1647—the Crown Inn replacing the old one where he held his head quarters.

In the vicinity are Swakeley’s (1½ mile), and a short walk beyond is Harefield, frequently visited by Milton; and crossing the Colne to Chalfont St. Giles, may be seen the house where the blind bard wrote his Paradise Regained—returning by Denham, so well described by Davy, in his Salmonia.

Branch deviation termination

Soon after leaving West Drayton we cross the river Colne and its branches, with Hunt’s Moor Park, and the beautifully sequestered village of Iver (which, alike to artist or antiquary, will be found replete with objects of interest and attraction), on the right, and enter

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE,

Arriving at the station at

LANGLEY.

Telegraph station at Slough, 1¼ mile.

Population, 1,874.

To the right, at a short distance, is Langley Park A few minutes more brings us to

SLOUGH.

Population, 3,425.

A telegraph station.

Hotel.—Crown.

Market Day.—Thursday.

After the bustle incident to the arrival of fresh passengers, and the departure of others, has in some degree subsided, it will be found that the arrangements for the comfort and convenience of those alighting at this station are equal, if not superior, to those of any other line.

A magnificent hotel, for aristocratic visitors, here so frequently found, is within a few minutes’ walk, and numerous taverns, less ornamental, and, consequently, less expensive, are in the immediate neighbourhood.

Branch deviation left

Slough is now chiefly noticeable as the station or medium of communication, by the branch railway, to Eton and Windsor. It is two and a half miles in length, and passes Eton College, near the Thames.

WINDSOR BRANCH.

Slough to Windsor.

ETON.

Population, 3,122.

Hotels.—Great Western; George; Upper Ship.

Eton is celebrated for its college, founded in 1440, by Henry VI., to which resort annually about 850 students, chiefly the sons of noble and opulent families. The triennial celebration of Eton Montem on Salt Hill, but now discontinued, the salt, or money, given to the captain of the school, for his support at the University, frequently realising nearly a thousand pounds. Passing over a neat bridge, which connects Eton with Windsor, the visitor will enter the town, associated with historical and literary reminiscences of the highest interest. We give a description of Windsor Castle in Section I.

The scenery around Windsor is remarkable for its sylvan beauty; and the weary citizen, who desires to enjoy a summer holiday, cannot do better than procure an admission ticket to Windsor Castle from the printsellers, Messrs. Colnaghi, of Pall Mall, and then make his way to the Great Western Railway, in time for an early train. Within the next three hours he may see all the regal splendours of the palatial halls of Windsor; and then, having refreshed the inward man at any of the hostelries which abound in that town, he may stroll forth into the country, and contrast the quiet and enduring charms of nature with the more glittering productions of art, with which wealth and power surround themselves. He may walk in the shades of the forest, sung by Pope; he may saunter over Datchet Mead, immortalised by Shakspeare, in his story of Jack Falstaff and the buck-basket; or he may prolong his stroll to the quiet village of Horton, where Milton lived, and sang its rural charms in the immortal rhymes of L’Allegro and Il Penseroso.

Branch deviation termination

Great Western Main Line continued.

Slough, to Maidenhead.

Between the lofty and luxuriant foliage of Stoke Park, about two miles to the right of Slough, may be descried, modestly peering through the surrounding trees, the spire of Stoke Pogis Church, the scene of Gray’s Elegy. The following inscription to his memory is on the east wall of the church:— Opposite to this stone, in the same tomb upon which he has so feelingly recorded his grief at the loss of a beloved parent, lie deposited the remains of Thomas Gray, the author of the ‘Elegy written in a Country Churchyard,’ &c, &c, &c. He was buried August 6th, 1771. The church itself has no internal beauty, being over-crowded with pews; but the churchyard is one of the prettiest in England. The cloister is worth a visit. As the train proceeds, the broad and verdant fields spread out on each side of us in all the price of luxuriant vegetation.

Burnham village is close by, situate in the midst of picturesque woodland scenery, popularised by the adventures of Albert Smith’s Mr Ledbury.

Branch deviation to

MAIDENHEAD

Population, 3,895.

Distance from Station, 1½ mile.

A telegraph station.

Hotels.—White Hart; Bear

Market Day.—Wednesday.

Fairs.—Whit Wednesday, September 29th, and November 30th.

Branch deviation right

WYCOMBE AND THAME BRANCH.

Maidenhead to Wycombe and Oxford.

From Maidenhead we pass Taplow, Cookham, Marlow Road, Woburn Green, and Loudwater, stations of no great importance, and arrive at

HIGH WYCOMBE.

Population, 4,221.

A telegraph station.

Hotel.—Red Lion.

Market Day.—Friday.

Fairs.—Monday before New Michaelmas.

Wycombe is a borough in Buckinghamshire on the Wyck. In the vicinity are many corn and paper mills.

The line continues hence through West Wycombe, the old market town of Princes Risborough, from whence there is a continuation of the line to Aylesbury. Leaving Princes Risborough, the line takes a westerly curve through Bledlow, and, immediately leaving the county of Bucks, enters that of Oxford, and very soon after arrives at

Thame, a small market town, consisting of one long street. The church is very old, and built in the form of a cross, has a fine tower, and its windows of stained glass.

Wheatley and Litttlemore, the latter of which has a very considerable pile of buildings used as a Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

See Oxford

BERKSHIRE.

This county is bounded by the counties of Oxford and Buckingham on the north, on the east by Surrey, on the south by Hampshire, and on the west by Wiltshire. A range of chalk hills, entering this county from Oxfordshire, crosses it in a westerly direction, and forms the southern boundary of the Yale of the White Horse. Independent of this range of hills, the county is characterised by gentle eminences and vallies, having much fertile land, and abounding with picturesque and beantiful scenery. Reading is the county town of Berkshire, and Windsor Castle its greatest ornament.

Great Western Main Line continued.

Maidenhead to Reading,

Upon leaving Maidenhead the railway soon spans, by a bridge of ten arches, the river Thames which  here glides through a flat, but most charming country. Having crossed the Windsor road, and diverged  gradually to the southward we suddenly dip into an  excavation of considerable depth; the characteristic  chalky sides of which are replete with geological  interest. This cutting, which continues for upwards  of five miles, completely shuts out the surrounding  country; but coming suddenly upon the Ruscombe  embankment, we are amply repaid by a magnificent  expanse of landscape. Hill and dale, dotted with elegant villas and noble mansions, woodland and  water scenery, together with wide far-stretching  meadow and corn-land, follow each other in varied succession to the very verge of the horizon. We have scarcely had time, however, to feast our vision  with this delightful prospect, before we are again buried in a cutting, though of shorter duration, and  through this we reach the station at

TWYFORD (Junction).

A telegraph station.

Hotels.—Station Hotel; King’s Arms.

In the neighbourhood are Stanlake (1 mile). Shottesbrooke Church (2½ miles), a beautiful miniature cross, with a tall tower and spire, formerly attached to an ancient college here. A short line hence branches off to Henley-upon-Thames, passing by Wargrave.

Branch deviation termination

HENLEY BRANCH.

Shiplake

station.

HENLEY.

Population, 3,417.

Telegraph station at Twyford, 4½ miles.

Market Day.—Thursday.

It is delightfully situated on a sloping bank of the  Thames, (over which there is a handsome stone  bridge of five arches, by Sir R. Taylor, connecting  the counties of Oxford and Berks) amid extensive  beech woods. The church has a fine tower, and  some interesting decorated work. There is a handsome town hall, on pillars, forming a market piazza.  The musical divine, Dean Aldrich, was rector here,  and bequeathed his library for the use of the inhabitants paying church rates. Close by are Park  Place, Bolney Court, Harpsden Court, and Culharm  Court (two miles’), near which are the remains  of Medmenhan  Abbey, surrounded by sheltering  groves, a fit place for the abode of sleek friars, who  might have plenty of fish for Lenten days. This  place, however, was made famous in the last century  for the whim of Lord le Despenser, who fitted the old ruin up after its original style, and created  much scandal in mocking religion, and in the  repetitions of debaucheries to which that of the  monks of old were pious orgies.

The Chiltern Hills behind rise to 820 feet at  Nettlebed, and 760 at Nuffield; they give name to a nominal office in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s gift, by which a member of parliament is enabled in a formal manner to vacate his seat.

Branch deviation right

Great Western Main Line continued.

Within a few minutes after quitting the station, we emerge from the excavation, and cross, on an embankment, the river Loddon. From this we enter into another cutting of great depth conducting us to an embankment which affords a pleasing view of the county bordering on the woody lands of Oxfordshire. Crossing, on a level embankment, the river Kennet, we soon after reach the station at

READING.

A telegraph station.

Hotel.—Great Western; George; Upper Ship; Angel.

Market Days.—Wednesday and Saturday.

Fairs.—Feb. 2nd, May 1st, July 25th, &Sept 21st.

Reading is situated on two small eminences, whose gentle declivities fall into a pleasant vale, through which the branches of the Kennet flow till they unite with the Thames at the extremity of  the town. The surrounding country is agreeably  diversified with an intermixture of hill and dale, wood and water, enlivened with a number of elegant seats. In the Forbury some pleasure grounds have been laid out: a band usually plays there in the summer months. The old abbey ruins have, been excavated, and are open to the public. The abbey gateway has also been restored by G. G. Scott, Esq., at a cost of £500. Next to it has been built a ponderous County Court at a great expense.

This old town is in a fertile and well-watered part of Berkshire, at the junction of the Thames and Kennet. It returns two members to parliament, and has a population of 25,045. The manor belongs to the corporation. A large and important mitred abbey, founded by Henry I. in 1125, to atone for putting out his brother Robert Curthose’s eyes frequently attracted the court here down to 1540, when that vigorous defender of the faith, Henry VIII., hung the last abbot for refusing to account for his stewardship. Henry I. was buried in it. A Norman gate and part of the outer flint walls (8 feet thick) are left. The latter took in a circuit of half a mile. Reading was inhabited by the Saxons many years before the invasion of the Danes; and it appears that it had two castles, one of which probably stood on the spot where the abbey was founded. In 1263 Henry III. held a parliament here, and another was adjourned hither in 1453. Some old gable buildings and ancient looking streets are yet seen at Reading; but a handsome new town has sprung up round Eldon Road and Square, Queen’s Road, &c, on the south-east side of the Kennet. St. Lawrence’s church, near the Forbury, has a chequered flint tower, and remnants of antiquity, with a monument to Dr. Valpy. St. Mary’s, in St. Mary’s Butts, was first built in the 12th century, but rebuilt in 1550 with materials from the abbey. Bishop Lloyd was vicar here; as was also the present Dean Millman. There was a nunnery attached to it. St, Giles’s, in Bridge Street, has been lately restored. It suffered in the long siege of 1642, when Colonel Ashton held the town against Essex. A fine new church has been built at a cost of £7,000, at Whitley, from the designs of Mr. Woodgeare; it is at present the finest church in the town. St. James’s (Roman Catholic) is one of Pugin’s first attempts, and is of the Norman style. It lies at the rear of the Forbury Gardens, and is built on part of the site occupied by the old abbey.

The Town Hall was built 1785, and contains various portraits, among which are those of Queen Elizabeth, Sir T. White, a native, and the founder of St. John’s College, Oxford, and that strange compound of intellectual vigour, superstition, and bigoted meanness, Archbishop Laud, born at Reading, 1573. He, in common with Merrick, the poet, Addington, the premier, and Lord Chancellor Phipps, all Reading men, was educated in the Grammar School, formerly held beneath the Town Hall, originally founded 1486. Laud bequeathed property worth about £500 a year to his native town. Henry VII ’s charter, with his illuminated portrait, is kept in the Town Hall. A portrait of the late Mr. Justice Talfourd has recently been presented by his widow.

A new cattle market has been built close to the railway station. Great quantities of malt, Horn, and timber are sent hence to London. There are a large iron foundry at Katesgrove, the manufactory for Huntley and Palmer’s biscuits, and a model gaol; also several good schools. The old Abbey of the Grey Friars, in Friar Street, formerly used as a borough lock-up, is fast being converted from a den of thieves into a noble church, from designs by Messrs. Poulton and Woodman.

Numerous excursions may be made, from this town, as there is scarcely a corner of Berkshire which does not deserve a visit; it is full of beech woods, and beautiful country lanes and alleys. The Kennet, Thames, &c, are bordered by luxuriant pasture, and the healthy downs on the west offer a panorama of delightful prospects. To the west of Reading are the Chiltern Hills, which, like the others, are covered with sheep walks. Maiden Early (2 miles) was the seat of Lord Stowell. Sonning—Holme Park, the seat of Robt. Palmer, Esq. The walk by the river is beautiful; good fishing and boating. Sonning Reach is one of the best courses on the Thames. The church has been restored. Mapledurham (M. M. Blount, Esq.) ought to be visited by lovers of the picturesque: there is good fishing. Bear Wood, J. Walter, Esq., M.P., the proprietor of the. Times newspaper. Billingbear is the seat of Lord Braybrooke, editor of Pepys’ Memoirs. Wokingham (6 miles) on the Roman road to Silchester, lies an old church, and is within the bounds of Windsor Forest. Towards Windsor is Binfield and its beech woods, in which Pope used to ramble. Grundy cheese (like Stilton) is made here. At Silchester, just over the Hampshire side, are pieces of the walls of a Roman city, the Calleva Attrebatum. Englefield, the Saxon Englafelda, where the Danes were once defeated, has one of those large parks, so common in Berkshire and an epitaph by Dryden on the defender of Basing House. On the Oxfordshire side of the Thames is Caversham, W. Crawshay, Esq., which has been rebuilt two or three times since it was visited bt Elizabeth and Charles I.

Branch deviation left

BASINGSTOKE BRANCH.

Reading to Basingstoke.

This line passes through a very pretty level country, surrounded by numerous parks, and handsome seats and mansions.

Mortimer (Stratfield) station.

BASINGSTOKE,

is delightfully situated in a well wooded part of Hampshire, and derives considerable advantage from the junction of several roads which meet together at this town. It has a handsome market-house and sessions court. On an eminence at the northern extremity of the town are the ruins of an elegant chapel, which possessed great architectural beauty, but which has been suffered to fall into ruins.

(For further particulars see Section I.)

Branch deviation termination

HUNGERFORD BRANCH, AND

BERKS AND HANTS.

Reading to Hungerford and Devizes.

Theale, a telegraph station.

ALDERMASTON.

Distance from station, 2 miles.

A telegraph station.

Money Order Office at Theale.

Aldermaston Park, D. H. D. Burr, Esq., situated 1½ mile from here.

WOOLHAMPTON.

A telegraph station.

Money Order Office at Theale.

Woolhampton House, Viscount Falmouth.

On passing Thatcham, we arrive at

NEWBURY.

Population, 6,161.

A telegraph station.

Hotels.—White Hart, Jack of Newbury.

Market Day.—Thursday.

Fairs.—Holy Thursday, July 5th, September 4th, and November 6th.

This town is situated in a fertile plain in the county of Berks, watered by the Kennet, which crosses the town near the centre. The principal streets in it are disposed nearly in the shape of the Roman Y, the angles branching off from the market place, and the foot of the latter being formed by the village of Speenhamland; they are spacious and well paved. Newbury was a new town founded upon the decay of Spinoe; a Roman station in the neighbourhood. The church is a plain Gothic stone edifice, which, with the tower, was built at the expense of John Winchcombe, generally called ‘Jack of Newbury.’ This town was formerly celebrated for its extensive manufactories of woollen cloth, especially when Jack of Newbury (not a fish, as the sign might lead one to think) led his company of stout tailors—all proper men—to the famous battle of Flodden Field; but at present scarcely anything but serge is made. It has a considerable traffic in malt by the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The station of Kintbury is soon reached, and we pass on to

HUNGERFORD.

Population, 2,051.

A telegraph station,

Hotel.—Black Bear.

Market Day.—Wednesday. Fairs.—Last Wednesday in April and Sept., and first Wednesday in Oct.

Hungerford is a market town, which stands partly in the county of Berks, and partly in that of Wilts. The Kennet flows past this town, which opens a communication with the river Thames on the east, and the Avon and Bristol Channel on the west. The town principally consists of one long main street, with a few smaller ones branching from it. In the centre stands the market house, over which there is a large room for public business, and here is still preserved the Hungerford Horn, presented to the corporate body by John of Gaunt. It is made of brass, and is blown every Horn Tuesday to assemble the inhabitants for the election of the town constable.

From Hungerford you may follow the Berkshire Downs round to Reading, past Lambourn, Ashdown (where Alfred beat the Danes). Uffington Castle, Wayland Smith’s Stone, the White Horse Hill (893 feet high, with the figure of a galloping horse, 370 feet long, cut in the chalk). Wantage, along Ickleton Street (a Roman way on the ridge) to East Ilsley (noted for its great sheep fairs), and so to Reading, a strip of about 40 or 45 miles, never to be forgotten by a light-heeled pedestrian.

The Berks and Hants, a railway 24¼ miles long, begins here and runs through a nearly level country. Although the title would seem to imply, it forms no connection between the two counties named, taking as it does a westerly direction from the borders of Berks through the very heart of the county of Wilts.

Bedwyn station.

Savernake.—At this station a short branch turns off to the right to the town of

MARLBOROUGH.

Telegraph station at Savernake, 5½ miles

Prettily situated on the Wiltshire Downs by the side of the river Kennet, where a Collegiate School is planted; and near which (at Tisbury), Jay, of Bath, was born, 1769. He was placed in the academy of the excellent Cornelius Winter (whom Bishop Jebb styles a celestial creature) at Marlboro’, and went out before he was sixteen to preach to the poor despised rustics. "Our prudent tutor taught, us not to rail or abuse, but simply to preach the gospel, and to avoid the offence of folly, when we could not avoid that of the cross." Three years after he commenced his long career at Bath.

Pewsey, a small village on the Avon, at which petty sessions are held.

Woodborough station.

See Devizes.

Branch deviation left

Great Western Main Line continued.

Reading to Didcot.

Passing slowly from the station at a pace that affords us a pleasing bird’s-eye view of the town, we are carried forward on the same level embankment, and crossing the valley of the Thames soon reach the Roebuck excavation. An embankment, followed by a brief though deep cutting, through the grounds of Parley Park, gives us some charming prospects on the Oxfordshire side, with a mass of woodland scenery scattered over the undulating ground, and cresting even the