Travel in Thatcham Throughout the Ages

The Bath Road through Thatcham became a major thoroughfare for mail coaches and passenger coaches, many of which stopped in Thatcham and in about 1720 the Theale to Speen Turnpike road was opened.

In 1715 the Kennet Navigation Bill authorised making the River Kennet navigable from the River Thames at Reading to Newbury. Work was completed in 1723 and the Kennet Navigation Canal was opened, to make the transportation of large volumes of goods easier.

Forty or so passenger coaches would pass through Thatcham, with twelve or so stopping over. Whilst there, the passengers would stay at the White Hart, Kings Head and Cooper