Local Info - Wokingham

Wokingham has always been a small market town and has had the right to hold a market since 1219.  In Victorian times it was known as Oakingham and the acorn with oak leaves is the town's symbol.

For nearly 200 years Wokingham was famous for its annual bull baiting, until this cruel sport was banned by Act of Parliament in 1833. Apparently, this was also dangerous for spectators - down the years several people have been recorded as dying from injuries sustained whilst watching this event.

Wokingham was actually part of Wiltshire until 1844, and was already a borough before the local government reorganisation in 1974.

Brick making used to be a major industry in Wokingham, this has now been replaced by software development, light engineering and service industries. In 2007, the Halifax Building Society rated Wokingham the number one place to live in Britain.