Aldermaston

It was in this tranquil village, in 1840, that the William pear was first propagated by John Staid, the then village schoolmaster. First known as the Aldermaston pear, a cutting of the plant is believed to have been taken to Australia where it is now called the Bartlett pear.

Still retaining much of its original 12th-century structure, and with a splendid Norman door, the lovely St Mary’s Church provides the setting for the York Mystery Cycle, nativity plays dating from the 14th century, which are performed here each year. Using beautiful period costumes and contemporary music, including a piece written by William Byrd, the cycle lasts a week and the plays attract visitors from far and wide. Another old custom still continued in the village is the auctioning of the grazing rights of Church Acres every three years. Using the ancient method of a candle auction, a pin – in this case a horseshoe nail – is inserted into the tallow of a candle one inch from the wick. The candle is lit while bidding takes place and the grazing rights go to the highest bidder as the pin drops out of the candle.

Outside, under a yew tree in the churchyard, lies the grave of Maria Hale, formerly known as the Aldermaston witch. She was said to turn herself into a large brown hare and although the hare was never caught or killed, at one time a local keeper wounded it in the leg, and from then on it was observed that Maria Hale had become lame.

Close to the village is a delightful walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Aldermaston Wharf. A Grade II-listed structure of beautifully restored 18th-century scalloped brickwork, the wharf houses a Visitor Centre, where the canalman’s cottage tells the story of the creation, restoration and re-opening of the waterway link between the Thames and Bristol.