Berkshire Travel Guide - Historic Houses

An extraordinary Dutch-style 17th-century house perched on the Berkshire Downs and famous for its association with Elizabeth of Bohemia ('The Winter Queen'), Charles I's sister, to whom the house was consecrated. The interior has an impressive great staircase rising from hall to attic and important paintings contemporary with the house. Spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and beautiful walks in the neighbouring Ashdown Woods.
Lambourn, Newbury, Berkshire, England, RG17 8RE

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 3 m N Lambourn, on B4000
Website: Ashdown House
Email: ashdownhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 01793 762 209
National Trust
Location map
OS Grid SU282 820
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This beautiful Palladian mansion was built in 1776-83. The interior is notable for its original delicate plasterwork and elegant staircase, as well as the unusual Octagon Room. The house fell on hard times early in the last century but was rescued and restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe, who filled it with fine pictures and furniture. The early 19th-century pleasure gardens are currently being restored and there are way-marked trails through the parkland.
Garden: There are small pleasure gardens gracing this Palladian mansion, but be sure to leave time in your visit to stroll some of the woodland paths through these 400 acres of grounds.
Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, England, RG8 9NR

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 2.5 m NW Pangbourne, on A329
Website: Basildon Park
Email: basildonpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 0118 984 3040
Fax: 0118 976 7370
National Trust
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OS Grid SU611 782
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A rambling Tudor manor which has been the home of the Palmer family for over 450 years. The house showcases early family portraits, needlework, and works of art in an attractive set of Tudor and Elizabethan rooms. The galleried hall is especially attractive.
Windsor, Berkshire, England, SL4 6QP

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 2 m W Eton, off M4 at Junction 7
Website: Dorney Court
Email: palmer@dorneycourt.co.uk
Phone: 01628 604 638
Location map
OS Grid SU927790
Photo Credit: Kevin White, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence
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Englefield House is a superb Elizabethan mansion, with 18th and 19th century remodelling. The house is built loosely on the traditional Elizabethan E-plan, though there is much asymmetry about the design. No one seems sure quite when the house was built, but it is likely that the house actually predates the Elizabethan period. The Englefield family goes back vastly further; they are thought to have been lords of the manor here since the 9th century.
Englefield, Reading, Berkshire, England, RG7 5EN

Attraction Type: Historic House
Phone: 0118 9302221
Historic Houses Association
Location map
OS Grid SU622719
Photo Credit: Pam Brophy, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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Former Georgian house, home of the Earls of Caernarvon, remade by Charles Barry in exotic (or horrifying, depending upon your tastes) Victorian Gothic style. Ornate, opulent state rooms. Exhibit of Egyptian artefacts (the fifth Earl was an enthusiastic backer of Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen).
Garden: Huge cedars grace the parklands designed by 'Capability Brown'. Walled gardens, Victorian yew walks, orangery and fernery.
Highclere Park, Newbury, Berkshire, England, RG20 9RN

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 5 m S Newbury, off A34
Website: Highclere Castle
Email: theoffice@highclerecastle.co.uk
Phone: 01635 253 210
Fax: 01635 255 315
Location map
OS Grid SU445 587
Photo Credit: Mike Searle, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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A superb manor with a long and fascinating history. Mapledurham estate goes back to the Domesday Book, but the current house is largely a product of the late 16th century. Sir Michael Blount began the house around 1588 and it was finished by his son Richard in 1612. Sir Charles Blount (c.1598-1655) fought for the king in the Civil War, and as a result Mapledurham was besieged and sacked by Parliamentary troops. Misfortune followed the family when Charles's son Michael was murdered by a footman in 1649. The interiors are largely Georgian and Victorian, with a wonderful, curving, Tudor staircase. Look for the carved animal heads; one of which represents a tale from Aesop.
Mapledurham, Reading, Berkshire, England, RG4 7TR

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 4 m NW Reading, 1.5 m W of A4074
Website: Mapledurham House and Watermill
Email: enquiries@mapledurham.co.uk
Phone: 0118 972 3350
Fax: 0118 972 4016
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A lovely Grade-I listed Elizabethan mansion built in 1581 by a wealthy clothing merchant from Newbury named Thomas Dolman. It was later owned by the high-flying Duke of Chandos. Shaw House was used by Charles I during the Battle of Newbury, and according to legend, the king was fired upon in his chambers. He survived the attack, and today a plaque marks the spot where the king came under fire.
Church Road, Newbury, Berkshire, England, RG14 2DR

Attraction Type: Historic House
Website: Shaw House
Email: shawhouse@westberks.gov.uk
Historic Houses Association
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OS Grid SU476682
Photo Credit: Julian Tubb, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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The gift of a grateful nation to the Duke of Wellington after Waterloo, a largely Jacobean house with Georgian additions. Much of the furnishings were installed by the Duke. Of interest: the tomb of the horse that carried Wellington at Waterloo.
Reading, Berkshire, England, RG7 2BZ

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 6.5 m NE Basingstoke, off A33
Website: Stratfield Saye
Email: info@stratfield-saye.co.uk
Phone: 01256 882 882
Fax: 01256 881 466
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OS Grid SU700 615
Photo Credit: Andrew Smith, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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A Victorian mansion with roots going back to the 11th century, Taplow was once owned by the monks of Merton Priory, and after the Dissolution of the Monasteries passed through several owners to the Earls and Countesses of Orkney. It was given its present French Gothic look by architect William Burn in the late 19th century. Today Taplow is owned by a lay Buddhist organization and operated as a study centre. There are regular public days when visitors are welcome to explore the house and learn about its history.
Berry Hill, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, SL6 0ER

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: off M4 at Junction 7
Website: Taplow Court
Phone: 01628 773 163
Fax: 01628 773 055
Location map
OS Grid SU906821
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