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Local Information for Wokingham

Wokingham is a small town in Berkshire (population 30,403 according to the 2001 census) in the south east of England, close to Reading. It is the seat of the Wokingham local government district and home to the Wokingham Wanderers Football team.

Wokingham is twinned with the city of Erftstadt in Germany, and Viry Chatillon in France.

The name Wokingham comes from "Wocca's People's Home". Wocca was a Saxon whose followers farmed much of the land in this area, notably also Wokefield. Their main home, however, was at Woking (Surrey). It was, up until this century, known as Oakingham, but this was a corruption that has now been dispensed with.

Wokingham was noted for its Bell Foundry in mediaeval times. As early as 1383 the industry was well established in the town, and many local churches ring out on Wokingham Bells. Only Bell Foundry Lane now remains, for by the late 16th century the business had relocated in Reading. At about the same time, Flemish weavers flee...More