Bagnor | |
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Watermill Theatre |
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Bagnor shown within Berkshire | |
OS grid reference | SU452692 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Newbury |
Postcode district | RG20 |
Dialling code | 01635 |
Police | Thames Valley |
Fire | Royal Berkshire |
Ambulance | South Central |
EU Parliament | South East England |
UK Parliament | |
Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Area of Search | Berkshire |
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Grid reference | SU322798 |
Interest | Geological |
Area | 1 hectare |
Notification | 1996 |
Location map | DEFRA |
Bagnor is a hamlet close to the town of Newbury in the English county of Berkshire and situated on the banks of the River Lambourn. At the 2011 census the population of the hamlet was included in the civil parish of Speen. It is best known as the home of the nationally famous Watermill Theatre. It was recorded in the Domesday Book as Bagenore.
"Humphrey the Chamberlain holds Bagenore from the King. Wulfeva held it freehold from King Edward. Then it answered for 4 hides; now 1 hide. Land for 3 ploughs: In hardship 1 (plough) 3 villagers and 3 smallholders with 2 ploughs. 1 slave: a mill at 20s meadow 22 acres: woodland at 4pigs".
It is located in the West Berkshire district. The Blackbird, a public house, has stood in the village since the 17th century. It is near the villages of Speen, Donnington, Boxford, and Winterbourne. Donnington Castle, a significant site in the history of the First English Civil War, lies less than a mile to the east.
Bagnor forms part of the civil parish of Speen, which is itself part of the district administered by the unitary authority of West Berkshire.
The Watermill Theatre is a privately owned repertory theatre that has operated since 1981. It is a converted watermill with gardens beside the River Lambourn, and seats 220 people. It retains many of its original architectural features including the waterwheel, which can be viewed through a glass screen on entering the auditorium. Many successful actors have begun their careers at the Watermill Theatre, most notably Sean Bean, Bill Nighy and David Suchet. It is one of only five theatres to have been awarded a National Touring remit by Arts Council England, and previous productions have subsequently moved to Broadway and the West End.