[3] The name Cold Ash dates from the 16th century and is mentioned in a 1549 deed of settlement from John Winchcombe to his third son, Henry.

[2] During the English Civil War, troops camped on Cold Ash Common before taking part in the Second Battle of Newbury.

By the end of the 19th century, there were four principal landowners in Cold Ash and a large number of small tenanted dairy farms.

[7] During World War II, the convent provided refuge for evacuees from London and a spiritual centre for US soldiers based at nearby Greenham Common.

[6] St Peter's, a red brick house built in about 1700 and a Grade II listed building, is now part of the school.

[13] Former pupils of Downe House include the broadcaster Clare Balding, the actress and comedian, Miranda Hart, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and her sister, Pippa Middleton.

[14] Sir Reginald and his family lived at Thirtover Place which was bought by Girl Guiding Royal Berkshire in 1990 and today provides a range of residential and day activity camps for community groups.

[21] Grimsbury Castle - an Iron Age hill fort[24][25] Media related to Cold Ash at Wikimedia Commons