Shaw House, Berkshire
Shaw Houseis an important example of an early symmetrical H-planElizabethanmansion,located atShaw,on the north-eastern outskirts ofNewburyinBerkshire.
History
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The manor house of Shaw, Shaw House was built by the wealthycloth merchant,Thomas Dolman,and completed in 1581.[1]It is famous for its reputation asKing Charles I's headquarters during theSecond Battle of Newbury.However recent research has proved that, despite being at the centre of the fighting, the King never went to the house.[1]Other royals have visited, most notablyElizabeth I.[1]In the 1720s, it was acquired by the flamboyantJames 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 thesecond Dukebought a wifeat a sale in Newbury.
After the first Duke's death in 1744 thedowagerduchess 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 historianJames Pettit Andrews.[1][2]For many years it was also a school.[1]
The house is currently owned and managed byWest BerkshireCouncil as a conference venue and public attraction.[1]
Restoration
[edit]Following a major restoration Shaw House opened to the public in 2008. It is also a conference venue and home to West Berkshire'sRegistration Service for Births, Deaths and Ceremonies.[1]Work began in 2005[1]after the mansion was awarded more than £4m from theHeritage Lottery Fund.English HeritageandVodafonealso 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.