Local Info - Twyford

The name "Twyford" is Anglo Saxon in origin and means "double ford". As a matter of fact, Twyford does have two fords, one now has a bridge. The second ford is located next to the Lands End pub, and vehicles occasionally come to grief in it when motorists misjudge the severity of the currents!

Like Wokingham, Twyford was part of Wiltshire until 1844. This was because Twyford was part of the parish of Hurst, which in turn came under Broad Hinton. Broad Hinton was part of Wiltshire from the 13th Century until 1844.

Originally, Twyford was an agicultural settlement until the railway came in 1838. The coming of the railway brought expansion, but it wasn't until the years following the Second World War that Twyford expanded to its present day size. In 1901 the population of Twyford stood at 1,106. By 1971 this had risen to 4,320.

The town centre boasts restaurants, supermarkets, a library and three churches.

One of Twyford's most famous residents was William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. He lived his last years in nearby Ruscombe, and died there in 1718 aged 73.