Shaw House, Berkshire

Shaw House is an important example of an early symmetrical H-plan Elizabethan mansion, located at Shaw, on the north-eastern outskirts of Newbury in Berkshire.

History

The manor house of Shaw, Shaw House was built by the wealthy

Elizabeth I.^[1] In the 1720s, it was acquired by the flamboyant James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos.^[1] Although it was not the principal residence of the Duke, the family evidently spent some time in the area and the second Duke bought a wife

at a sale in Newbury.

After the first Duke's death in 1744 the dowager duchess lived at Shaw House till her death in 1750. Her step-son sold the property soon afterwards to the Andrews family.^[1] It was the childhood home of the historian James Pettit Andrews.^[1]^[2] For many years it was also a school.^[1]

The house is currently owned and managed by West Berkshire Council as a conference venue and public attraction.^[1]

Restoration

Following a major restoration Shaw House opened to the public in 2008. It is also a conference venue and home to West Berkshire's

Heritage Lottery Fund. English Heritage and Vodafone

also contributed to the £6m project.

Visitors can now enjoy a programme of events and activities whilst wandering the house and spending time in the exhibitions and family corner. The House is open most weekends and some school holidays.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Ford, David Nash (2011). "Shaw House". Royal Berkshire History. Nash Ford Publishing. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
^ "Former king's HQ opens to public". BBC. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2008.

External links

51°24′44″N 1°19′2″W / 51.41222°N 1.31722°W / 51.41222; -1.31722

[rbhsh1-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Ford, David Nash (2011). "Shaw House". Royal Berkshire History. Nash Ford Publishing. Retrieved 8 September 2011.

[bbcsh-2] "Former king's HQ opens to public". BBC. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2008.

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