Charming New Britain serves as a restful home base to the rest of Bucks County
The tiny community of New Britain Borough and the larger New Britain Township that surrounds it can often feel more like a small neighborhood — and that’s what its residents love about New Britain. Locals know each other’s faces, and there’s more opportunity for community in New Britain than in larger, more rural Bucks County areas like Buckingham.
While the mostly-residential New Britain Township has enough amenities via New Britain Borough to feel sufficient, both locations are well-placed to enjoy the rest of Bucks County. They’re right next to the county seat of Doylestown Borough, which serves New Britain with a hospital and other essential services. Doylestown is also a regional cultural hub for dining, entertainment, and nightlife — meaning fun outside of New Britain is only a 10-minute drive away.
The New Britain area has had a long history of human settlement, beginning with the Leni-Lenape Native Americans. Following European colonization in the area in 1720, New Britain Township was established in 1723. The commercial core of New Britain, then-called New Britain Village, grew steadily until it pushed to become a separate municipality as New Britain Borough in 1928. The New Britain area retains many colonial-era structures, and the colonial style remains popular for local buildings.
New Britain Township’s reliance on New Britain Borough for commercial activities and essential services means that residents often see each other again and again at local businesses and events. The municipal government is incredibly attentive to residents. Community events like the Polish-American Country Fair are often held on the beautiful and expansive grounds of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. With Doylestown and its many amenities so close by, residents often enjoy the best of all three communities.
Both residents and visitors love the New Britain Inn, a bar and grill offering the friendliest service and a wood-and-stone decor. Like many New England pubs, it’s a community spot good for a family dinner of burgers, wings, and other pub food. On hot summer days, take your beers and pretzels out onto their new outdoor deck, where you can dine surrounded by old-growth oak trees.
For a pan-Asian experience, Sakana Sushi offers an enormous Chinese hot food menu plus sushi and other Japanese standards like bento boxes and teriyaki. After dinner, wander over to the Bucks County Folk Music Shop to view their beautiful collection of guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins, and other string instruments. You might catch an impromptu or scheduled jam session if you're lucky!
Many afternoons can be spent in the small but beautiful Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve, which offers several short, shady trails in a forested area along the Neshaminy Creek. Wildlife like red fox, deer, and many bird species make their homes here, so dogs must be leashed. In spring, Miriam’s Meadow explodes in a profusion of colorful wildflowers. For a larger park experience, the Lake Galena portion of the enormous Peace Valley Park and Reservoir is great for biking, hiking, and lake views. Fishing, boating, and other water activities are available along the reservoir, while the park itself offers miles of outdoor paths and trails.
Residents of New Britain appreciate history, and that’s apparent in their love for antiques and vintage objects — including vintage sports cars. The Vintage Sports Car Club of America is fittingly based in New Britain, and while one must apply for membership, the club offers its members a calendar of events that includes racing. Those with little interest in cars might appreciate the wares at Painted Shutter Antiques instead, which offers high-quality antiques matching the ones in trendy New Hope boutiques but much less picked over.
New Britain is served by the exceptional Central Bucks School District. Notably, the borough also borders Delaware Valley University, an esteemed agricultural school that shares many amenities with New Britain.
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