Welcome to Lambourn - Valley of the Racehorse
Lambourn charms and seduces personalities from all sectors of life. A first visit to the bustling racing village that nestles comfortably in a fold of the Berkshire Downs is, inevitably, followed hastily by another. Lambourn is that kind of place.
For example, Robin Oakley, a familiar face from his days with the BBC, has dedicated every spare moment away from his day job monitoring affairs at Westminster to the writing of a book focusing on the Lambourn valley and its racing industry.
Oakley says he has enjoyed his research to such an extent, and met so many fascinating characters, that he is now looking to purchase a property in the area.
Many writers before him were likewise intrigued, and Lambourn was mentioned by poets Chesterton, Belloc and John Betjeman. The latter even entitled one of his 'Upper Lambourn'. Some have suggested that Lambourn was the setting of 'Marygreen' in Hardy's 'Jude the Obscure'.
Over the past 25 years, Royalty too has became enthralled by the Valley. The sad death of the much loved Queen Mother has robbed Lambourn of one of its keenest owners and supporters.
Lambourn, no more than 10 minutes off junction 14 of the M4, and less than one hour west of London, has been synonymous with the racing industry since the beginning of the 18 century when the Earl of Craven organised regular race meetings at nearby Ashdown Park.
At the beginning of 2000, Lambourn had a population of 2,448, plus a further 231 living in its sister village of Upper Lambourn. Many derive their livelihood, directly or indirectly, from the 1750 horses trained in the immediate area.
Interestingly, away from the equine association, the village has increasingly become a favoured settling place for airline pilots based at Heathrow.