Thatcham

Thatcham
Market town and civil parish
Thatcham town centre
Thatcham Location within Berkshire
Area	21.76 km2 (8.40 sq mi)
Population	25,464 (2021 Census)
• Density	1,170/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
OS grid reference	SU5167
Civil parish	Thatcham
Unitary authority	West Berkshire
Ceremonial county	Berkshire
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	THATCHAM
Postcode district	RG18, RG19
Dialling code	01635
Police	Thames Valley
Fire	Royal Berkshire
Ambulance	South Central
UK Parliament	Newbury
List of places UK England Berkshire 51°24′18″N 1°15′50″W / 51.405°N 1.264°W / 51.405; -1.264

Thatcham is a market town and civil parish in the West Berkshire, England. It is situated in the valley of the River Kennet 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Newbury, 14 miles (23 km) west of Reading and 54 miles (87 km) west of London. The town has a long history dating back to prehistoric times, a claimant to the title of oldest continuously inhabited place in Great Britain. As of 2021, it had a population of 25,464, though it is part of a built-up area comprising itself and neighbouring Newbury of over 70,000 residents.^[1] It is on the route of the A4 Bath Road, the historic main road between London and Bristol.