Sonning - the Berkshire village home to George Clooney

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The gorgeous riverside Berkshire village home to the likes of George Clooney
The ancient village of Sonning has become an incredible, if pricey, place to live.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Homes in Pearson Road, Sonning
Despite its near permanent traffic jam through its centre, the Berkshire village of Sonning has always been seen as an exclusive place to live.
Right on the River Thames, the village is extraordinarily picturesque.
The village was famously featured in Jerome K. Jerome's famous book, Three Men in a Boat, which calls Sonning: "The most fairy-like little nook on the whole river".
Its riverside location has always been desirable for the rich and famous.
The world-famous "Sonning spoon bender" Uri Geller, lived in an enormous house in Thames Street in the village for more than 40 years.
When he left in 2015, he said: "The village is spiritual, it’s an incredible centre of energy with the river."


Other famous residents have included former England football manager Glenn Hoddle and legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.
Its most famous current residents are Hollywood actor George Clooney and his human rights lawyer wife Amal, who live in a huge house on the banks of the Thames.
The pair are regularly spotted in the village.

Other attractions include the ancient Bull Inn, the even older St Andrew's Church and the Coppa Club.


Despite its beauty, Sonning does not often feature in these sort of polls.
Reasons for this could include its average house price of £795,409, according to Rightmove.
The traffic issue over Sonning Bridge has always been an issue, as is the flooding of riverside homes and businesses.
Our photographer Grahame Larter took a trip to the around the village.

[list=image-gallery]
[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The ancient St Andrew's Church. A regular visitor is former Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Phillip

1 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

It's not just the rich and famous who enjoy life by the Thames

2 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The Mill at Sonning is a popular local theatre

3 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

This rather extraordinary font cover can be found inside St Andrew's Church

4 of 26

138225456898

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

St Andrew's Church is a magnificent ancient building which is said to date back to the 7th century

5 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Another look at the picturesque Mill at Sonning

6 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Inside the stunning St Andrew's Church

7 of 26

138304362230

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A closer look at some of the decorations in St Andrew's Church

8 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The view down Pearson Road in the centre of the village

9 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The entrance to one of the village's massive homes

10 of 26

138225411932

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Robert Palmer Cottages in Pearson Road. These are Grade II listed buildings named after the former Tory MP for Berkshire, not the 1980s singer who sung "Addicted to Love"

11 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The famous Bull Inn, as featured in "Three Men in a Boat"

12 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Life by the river is peaceful, particularly if you have your own transport

13 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

There are some grand vessels to be seen on the river in Sonning

14 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The Coppa Club is a popular riverside venue in the village

15 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The river provides a beautiful spot for fishing

16 of 26

138259102760

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The Coppa Club offers these unique "igloos" for its guests

17 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

This bridge is a popular spot for young swimmers to jump in the river on hot days

18 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The view up Thames Street, former home of Uri Geller

19 of 26

138259102769

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Sonning Bridge in all its glory

20 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The spectacular French Horn restaurant offers fine dining in the centre of the village

21 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The river is perfect for watersports

22 of 26

80694742937

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

This one of the spectacular stained glass windows inside St Andrew's Church

23 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Homes on Thames Street in the centre of Sonning

24 of 26

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A stretch of the Thames surrounding by greenery

25 of 26

80701031297

[*]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thousands of vehicles travel over Sonning Bridge every day

[/list]

party animal - not! wrote: or a newbie asked to fill more column inches........