A vintage maroon and black steam locomotive, marked with yellow lettering as No. 5, sitting on railway tracks next to a brick building.

The Wantage Tramway – Britain’s first and worst steam tramway

An online talk for local history enthusiasts exploring the social, economic, and technical legacy of Berkshire's historic Wantage Tramway.

A historical street scene showing village shopfronts, including Charles G. Brown's store and a cycle works, with children in early 20th-century attire standing along the road.

A Brief History of Thatcham

An online talk tracing Thatcham's evolution from Palaeolithic finds and Roman roots to medieval traditions and 20th-century commuter town growth.

The History of the River Kennet

An in-person heritage talk exploring the story of the River Kennet, its watermills, navigation, and canal restoration.

The bronze Maiwand Lion statue stands atop a stone memorial in Forbury Gardens, Reading, surrounded by colorful flower beds and manicured lawns.

The History of Forbury Gardens, Reading

An in-person heritage talk exploring the rich history and hidden stories of this iconic park.

Berkshire Heritage Talks Series

An in-person series of daytime talks exploring local history, from Forbury Gardens to the River Kennet. Ideal for those interested in Berkshire's rich history.

Tour of St Andrew’s, Sonning

An in-person guided church tour exploring over a thousand years of parish history and heritage at St Andrew's Church, Sonning. Pre-booking essential for this small group visit.

A historic stone parish church with a square tower and tiled roof, surrounded by headstones in a sunny churchyard.

Tour of All Saints Church, Wokingham

An in-person guided tour exploring Wokingham's parish church to discover its history, parish records and people with John Hook.

Promotional graphic for TheGenealogist featuring a vintage map background and purple text reading "Genealogy's Best Mapping Website.

Pinning Down Your Ancestors

An online workshop for family history researchers looking to locate elusive ancestors using maps, land records, and local history sources.

AI generated image. A row of charming brick cottages with colorful doors and blooming gardens lines a tree-lined road.

Almshouses in West Berkshire: Charity on the Doorstep

This talk will explore the history of almshouses, how they were founded and funded, with local examples.

People browse plant stalls and white market tents decorated with colorful bunting in a sunny town square surrounded by historic red brick buildings.

Wokingham’s Markets and Fairs: from 800 years ago to the present day

The talk starts with the establishment of fairs in the early middle ages. Permission for a market in Wokingham was given by Henry III. Over the years fairs have been added to the calendar and the May Fayre, Summer Festival and Winter Carnival still take place.

A historic stone cross monument with a tiered octagonal base, situated in a grassy park surrounded by lush green trees.

Signs of the Times: Reading’s Memorials

This talk will describe aspects of the town’s history by considering some of its, often not well known, plaques, statues, and monuments. Even the better- known memorials have secrets to yield in the tales of their origins.

A tranquil river scene with tall poplar trees and a large deciduous tree on a grassy bank under a clear blue sky, with reeds in the foreground.

A Timeline of Thames Valley History – CANCELLED

An online talk for local history enthusiasts exploring Thames Valley heritage, from prehistoric ancestors and Viking battles to modern industries.

Tell us what you think