Purley on Thames

Purley on Thames is a community to the west of Reading in Berkshire. Its church dates back to Saxon times although the earliest remaining features date from 1150. It has a thriving Local History Society called Project Purley and an active Parish Council. It is bordered on the southeast by Tilehurst, on the southwest by Sulham, to the west by Pangbourne, to the north west by Whitchurch on Thames, to the northeast by Mapledurham and to the east by Reading.

It forms part of West Berkshire (which has a unitary council) and is bisected from east to west by the A329 Reading to Oxford road and the Great Western Railway. It is served by Reading Buses and Thames Travel. Mapledurham Lock is the start of one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames. There are two schools in Purley: Long Lane Primary School and Purley CoE Infants School. Just over the border are Denefield Technology College, Pangbourne Primary School and Westwood Farm Schools to which many Purley children go.

There are many active clubs and societies serving a wide variety of interests. There is virtually no industry left although about a quarter of its 1700 odd homes are lived in by people running their own businesses. For further information click on one of the links below:-

Websites

Purley on Thames PC ! West Berkshire Council ! Local sites of interest ! St Mary’s Church

History

History of the Parish | St Mary’s Church | Project Purley | Chronicles| About the Parish

Schools

Long Lane School | Purley CofE School | Denefield School | Education in Purley

H3 30/3/2008