Sonning, Civil parish on River Thames in Berkshire, England
Sonning is a triangular-shaped village straddling both banks of the River Thames, featuring Georgian buildings and traditional English cottages along narrow streets. The settlement retains its historic layout with a mix of older structures and local businesses.
The settlement appears in the 1086 Domesday Book as Soninges, deriving from the Old English name Sunna combined with ingas, meaning followers. Over centuries, the place evolved into an established village centre on the Thames.
St Andrew's Church displays preserved Anglo-Saxon stone carvings and has served as the community's religious heart since medieval times. The church shapes the village's character and draws visitors interested in its historical importance.
The location is accessible via the B478 road, but there is no local railway station, so people rely on Reading or Twyford stations for rail travel. Visitors should plan to arrive by car or use public transport from nearby stations.
A railway accident in 1841 near the location killed nine passengers and prompted major improvements to railway safety in Britain. This event marked a turning point for rail travel and its regulation.
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