Local History

Heading to a farmer's market today may involve travelling by car or at least walking on a pavement. But how about retracing the steps of our Victorian forebears as they travel to the market in Hungerford?

Free 1899 map available from 17.04.09

Local historical maps publisher Cassini is offering free maps of Hungerford in 1899 which shows the centuries' old byways.

Penny Locke from Cassini says: "We've discovered that many people like to take historical maps on walks to discover the history of the landscape around them and understand  what life must have been like for their forebears.

"So it gave us the idea of encouraging people to walk to the local farmer's market in Hungerford and experience the journey their ancestors would have made every week on foot or by pony and trap to a market full of livestock with the busy Corn Exchange next door."

Your guides: Hugh and Lois Pihlens

BBC Berkshire took the walk to market along the historic routes, along with Hugh and Lois Pihlens of the Hungerford Historical Association, and Penny Locke herself, to experience what the Hungerford views would have been like around 1899.

I recorded Hugh and Lois talk about highlights along the walk, which starts by Hungerford Wharf by the High Street bridge and goes east along the Kennet and Avon canal, which came through Hungerford in 1790.

Here in the audio guide you can learn about the trout farms and the 'swing' bridge.

Denford Mill: 1904 and 2009

You will also come across two mills, first Dun Mill, and then, taking a short detour, Denford Mill.

"There were several mills around here on the river," says Hugh in the guide, "there was Eddington mill near Hungerford, there's the old Queen's mill which is right in the middle of Hungerford.

Old market road on Hungerford common

"At Denford mill you can see the arched bridge which carries the stream of the river under the mill and would've powered the mill for the various tasks that it's had over the course of years, it was no doubt involved in the woollen industry but also for grinding corn."

In the guide you will also learn about the huge effect the advent of the railway had on the town in the 1840s.

You'll cross over the railway bridge and then walk on the common by the former market road - called the Port Down on the 1899 map.

A hedge now marks where the old market road used to be, but it's clear to see the steep banks either side of the former path which have developed over centuries and used to control the direction of the hundreds of livestock herded towards the market.

Dun Mill: 1910 and 2009

We walk along the common back in the direction of Hungerford town, where we learn about the former poorhouse there, the Downgate alehouse as well as the town centre architecture. Also, why was Cow Lane changed to Park Lane?

You can listen to the audio and then download the map from Cassini's website from Friday 17 April here:

The maps, also available in the Hungerford bookshop on the High Street, will be available for free up until the Hungerford Farmer's Market on Sunday 26 April 2009.

Hungerford high street in 1862

If you 'walk to market' on the actual market day on the 26th, you can head to the HEAT (Hungerford Environmental Action Team) stall at the market to receive an I Walked to Market certificate.

There's no need to skimp on purchases as help will be provided to get shopping home if it is too heavy for walkers to carry – just the way Giles the Carrier, operating from the building which now houses the Fish and Chip shop, used to deliver groceries by horse and cart for a penny. 

For more information about Walk to Market, please contact Penny Locke at Cassini on 01488 648534 or email:

More information on the history of Hungerford available from: