3. c. 158) when forestal rights were abolished and people bought parcels of land for agriculture; it was at this point that villages like Binfield expanded, when there was work for farm labourers.

The Stag and Hounds was reportedly used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and an elm tree outside it (the stump of which was finally removed in 2003) was said to mark the centre of Windsor Forest.

[2] The presence of large houses in the area, most of them without estates to support them, meant that many tradesmen could make a living in the village and Binfield continued to flourish until the development of Bracknell New Town.

Binfield is also the home to The Bowmen Of Warfield archery club who have their own field on Hill Farm Lane.

The play area has recently been refurbished, with a large swing, climbing blocks, and multi-purpose frame – all designed for older children.

At the northern side of these fields, is an area of specimen trees, including Black Walnut, Pin Oak, White Berried Elderberry and Persian Ironwood.

For the older children and teenagers there is an all-weather pitch, with basketball hoops, integral cricket stumps and markings for several games.

Recently, a brand new play area has been installed at Foxley Fields, with a trampoline, a tunnel, a climbing rock, various swings and a bridge and stepping stones.

An old story of uncertain origin claims that the Abbots of Reading Abbey established a retreat at Elm Grove.

[citation needed] Binfield House, similar in appearance to Horace Walpole's Strawberry Hill House near Twickenham (a Grade II listed building) was built in 1776 and for nearly 150 years was rented out to a number of tenants including the well-known historian Catharine Macaulay,[2] whose work was greatly admired by the 1st American President George Washington, and in 1788 she travelled to America to visit him.