Ruscombe

South of the Bath Road 33 miles from London, Ruscombe is a rural parish of two square miles, oval in shape on a North-West – South-East axis. The village grew up around its ancient church on the lane from Waltham to Sonning, which bisects the parish from east to west. Down to the southeast was Ruscombe Lake, drained and cultivated since 1820. To the North is high quality agricultural land. Since 1840 the Great Western Railway also bisects the parish, crossed by two fine little Brunel bridges.

Later development was mostly to the west of the village green. Industry was agriculture-related: a rodyard, a brickworks, and an iron foundry. These have been succeeded by a modern business park. Most of the population live in this western 15% segment of the parish.

The other 85% of the parish still comprises some of the best and most versatile agricultural land in the district; as witnessed by its successive use for horticulture, orchards, and a variety of arable crops. The pattern of fields and landholding is largely unchanged since the 1832 Enclosures. It is interspersed with a number of mixed woodlands, and small distinctive ponds. All of which makes for an extremely varied and pleasing landscape.

View an interactive map of Ruscombe for more details.