Bradfield village is the home of the public schoolBradfield College, whilst Bradfield Southend is well-known locally for the display of outdoor Christmas lights put on by many residents.
Bradfield is located on low lying land adjacent to the River Pang about seven miles west of Reading, where the Theale to Compton road crosses the river. Bradfield Southend, by contrast, is situated about a mile to the south west on the ridge-line separating the valleys of the River Pang and the River Kennet. In Hungerford Lane it has a superb garden centre, Glenvale. Other villages and hamlets in the parish include Southend, Tutts Clumps and Rotten Row. There is a complex of ponds in the vicinity of the latter containing very good examples of artesian aquifers. Best known of these is 'The Blue Pool' which has delighted generations of children. Unfortunately, in recent years, the current owners have had to deny access to the site due to minor fluctuating levels of pollution. Plans for better access have not yet come to fruition.
Bradfield is a civil parish with an elected parish council. It falls within the area of the unitary authority of West Berkshire. Both the parish council and the unitary authority are responsible for different aspects of local government.
