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Wokingham Leasing

Did You Know?

Wokingham is in Berkshire and well known for its rich history and is believed to be named after a Saxon lord named ‘Wocca’ as early as 1146.

Wokingham is on the Emm Brook in the London Valley in central Berkshire situated 33 miles west of central London. It sits between the larger towns of Reading and Bracknell and was originally in a band of agricultural land on the western edge of Windsor Forest.

Wokingham was also home to French born gentleman and highwayman Claude Duval who robbed stagecoaches on their way to London and Molly Millars Lane is believed to be named after Molly Millar the town witch.

The courts of Windsor Forest were held at Wokingham and the town had the right to hold a market from 1219. The Bishop of Salisbury was largely responsible for the growth of the town during this period. He set out roads and plots making them available for rent.

In 1643–44 Wokingham was regularly raided by both sides in the Civil War. These raids would involve the looting of livestock and trading goods, and over thirty buildings were burnt down, accounting for nearly 20% of buildings in the town at that time. It was not until the early 18th century that Wokingham had fully recovered.

The character of Tom the chimney sweep in Charles Kingsley's classic childhood story The Water Babies was based on the life and times of a Wokingham boy called James Seaward, who was a boy sweep in Victorian times. In his later years Seaward swept the chimneys at Charles Kingsley's home at the Rectory in Eversley.

The Lush Brothers of Wokingham made coaches for King Edward the seventh, Prince Christian of Schleswig Holstein and the Empress of France.

Soldier Soldier season 7 was filmed at Bearwood College, the college was the scene for the parade ground, officers mess, and a school.

Wokingham Music, Food & Drink Festival is held every year in August. Showcasing local musicians, local food producers and also wines, beers, and ciders from Berkshire and surrounding breweries.

A group of the King's soldiers came to Wokingham during the  Civil War. They were being besieged at Reading and wanted fire-wood and bedding. The townspeople told them to go away. So the soldiers burnt down some of their houses.