Town & Manor of Hungerford

12/06/2026

🚨 PLEASE SHUT THE GATES! 🚨

A friendly but important reminder to everyone using the Common and Freeman’s Marsh – please make sure you close all gates behind you.

Earlier this week, eight of our grazing cattle escaped from Freeman’s Marsh and made quite the adventure for themselves, travelling all the way to Froxfield before settling down in a very surprised resident’s garden! 🐄🌿

The escape happened because a gate along the towpath was left open, giving the cows the perfect opportunity to explore beyond their usual boundaries.

The cattle play a vital role in managing these important habitats, but their safety – and the safety of road users and local residents – depends on gates being kept securely closed.

So please, if you open a gate, make sure you close it behind you. It only takes a few seconds and makes a huge difference.

Thank you for helping to keep our cattle safe and where they belong. 🐄❤️

09/06/2026

***update***

They have been located and are awaiting their royal carriage!!
Thank you to everyone for their efforts!!

Picture in comments! 🫣

******

We are missing 8 cows from Freemans Marsh, in Hungerford.

Last known sighting was by Stepping Stones nursery in Froxfield. Potentially they have gone up towards Standen farm area but from there, they could have gone in any direction.

If anyone has any sighting at all or comes across a lot of cow muck where it usually isn’t- please let us know!

Thanks so much!!

04/06/2026

🎉Looking for the perfect venue for your next event?🎉

Whether you’re planning a business meeting, training session, community gathering, celebration, party, exhibition, or conference, Hungerford Town Hall has a space to suit your needs.

🏛️ The Town Hall – a beautiful and historic setting for meetings and events.
📖 The Magistrates Room – ideal for smaller gatherings and private meetings.
🌾 The Corn Exchange – our largest space, perfect for bigger events, presentations, fairs and celebrations.

With flexible room layouts, kitchen facilities available, and a central location in the heart of Hungerford, we’d love to help bring your event to life.

To discuss your requirements and check availability, contact Sarah at:

📧 [email protected]

Let’s make your next event one to remember!

26/05/2026

The sun is painting a fantastic picture this evening on the common 🌅

How lucky are we to have views like these!
🎉🌞

25/05/2026

Last week the world celebrated, World Bee Day 🐝💛

A moment to celebrate some of the smallest — yet most important — creatures in our ecosystem.

Bees play a vital role in pollinating wildflowers, crops, trees and plants, helping entire habitats to thrive. A healthy wetland landscape would become an incredibly important haven for pollinators, providing nectar-rich planting, wildflower meadows, undisturbed habitats and a flourishing natural environment.

At the future Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve, we hope to create a space where wildlife and people can thrive side by side — from buzzing pollinators and butterflies to birds, mammals and aquatic life.

Even simple actions can make a huge difference for bees:
🌼 Let wildflowers grow
🐝 Avoid harmful pesticides
🌱 Plant pollinator-friendly flowers
💧 Leave shallow water sources out during hot weather

As the UK enjoys this spell of warm sunshine, many pollinators are at their busiest — a gentle reminder of just how connected we are to the natural world around us.

23/05/2026

Did you know that some of Hungerford’s most loved outdoor spaces are cared for by the Town & Manor? 🌿

From the wide open beauty of the Common, to the peaceful pathways of Freeman’s Marsh, these special places are here for everyone to enjoy — whether that’s walking the dog, spotting wildlife, exercising, enjoying family time, or simply taking a quiet moment in nature.

These areas are part of what makes Hungerford so unique. Grazing cattle on the Common, the changing seasons across the Marsh, the canal and riverside walks, the birdsong, wildflowers and open skies — they all form part of a landscape that has been protected and cared for for generations.

As the weather warms up and more people head outdoors, we’d love to remind everyone to help us keep these spaces beautiful:
🐄 Please drive slowly around grazing cattle
🐕 Keep dogs under control and clean up after them
🗑️ Take litter home or use bins provided
🌼 Respect wildlife and natural habitats

These spaces belong to the whole community, and we are incredibly proud to continue caring for them for future generations to enjoy.

Which is your favourite Town & Manor outdoor space? ☀️🌳

21/05/2026

✨ Something lovely is coming to Hungerford! ✨

The Craft & Gift Fair is returning to the Hungerford Corn Exchange throughout 2026, bringing together talented local makers, artists, crafters and small businesses all under one roof.

Whether you’re searching for the perfect handmade gift, unique home décor, beautiful jewellery, delicious treats, or simply fancy a browse and some inspiration, there will be plenty to discover. 💝🛍️

📍 Hungerford Corn Exchange
🎟️ Free Entry
🗓️ Dates throughout the year — see poster below for full details!

There’s nothing quite like supporting independent creators and finding something truly one-of-a-kind. Make a note in your diary and come along to enjoy a relaxed day of shopping, creativity and community. ✨

19/05/2026

16/05/2026

Not long to go…🎉🎉

Tickets are being sold on the door!

12/05/2026

A bit of a serious post this evening, we’re afraid!

As many of you will be aware, this has been a difficult start to the cattle grazing season on the Common.

Sadly, there have been several incidents involving the cattle, resulting in some animals needing to be removed by our local farmer to recover. Three more cows also had to be separated from the herd and looked after by the herdsman and veterinary staff.

Over the weekend, one of our cattle became seriously, seriously ill. Following veterinary investigation, it has been confirmed that the cause was the ingestion of a noxious object which resulted in a blockage in her intestines.

Despite continued efforts to educate and encourage responsible behaviour, we are still finding dangerous litter being left across the Common.

Last weekend alone, items collected included a deflated helium balloon, a metal bar with screws sticking out, along with numerous cans, bottles and coffee cups — all of which pose a very real risk to livestock, wildlife, dogs and people alike. This comes on top of recent illegal fly-tipping incidents.

Dog fouling also remains a growing issue and a cow investing dog poo could well be fatal!

We are also now at a point where people are actively avoiding the common due to the dog poo issue.

We would like to sincerely thank those who do take their litter home and responsibly pick up after their dogs — your efforts are genuinely appreciated.

Please help us protect the Common, our livestock, wildlife, and the environment for everyone to enjoy. Dispose of litter responsibly, pick up after your dogs, and encourage others to do the same.

🐄🐕