Shaw House
Shaw House
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 2DR
England
Website
www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1747
Telephone
01635 279279
Shaw House is a large Elizabethan house; it was built in 1581 by the Dolman family. It was a family home until the 20th century. It was a school for many years and was then left empty before being restored from 2005 - 2007.
At weekends and selected days during the school holidays the house is open to the public. During the week the house is a meeting and conference venue. It also houses council offices and West Berkshire Registration Office for Births, Deaths and Ceremonies
Shaw House is an unfurnished historic house. Your visit will take you through nine rooms, which have original features such as fireplaces, panelling, plaster-work and wallpaper.
There are two exhibition rooms. Here you can discover more about the history of the house with stories and objects from the 1500s to the 2000s.
There are activity stations in some rooms to help your family find out more about the house, we call these Wheelie-Do’s.
There are two activity rooms with books, activities and puzzles. There are always two creative activities so your family can make a memento to take away with you. The activities are aimed at visitors aged 3 years and older. There are books and toys available for our very youngest visitors.
There are two trails available free of charge to help families explore Shaw House and discover some of its hidden stories and secrets. The Picture Trail is aimed at younger families and the History Quest is aimed at families with older children.
Venue Type:
Historic house or home, Heritage site
Additional info
Shaw House Cafe (hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cake, snacks and ice cream)
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby Changing facilities
Lifts to all public accessible areas
Blue Badge Parking near house.
Family activities and trails
Garden
Picnic area
Gift Shop
Bombing that Moved a School
The exhibition looks at the Bombing of Newbury in 1943 and how Shaw House became involved.
Normal admission charges apply to see the exhibition.
Suitable for
Admission
Free
Follow the School Days Trail
Join us for our special trail activity throughout half term.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Free
Father’s Day
Challenge Dad to our giant garden games
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Free
Shaw House Summer Fair
Craft stalls, garden games, cake competitions and more.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Free
Candlelit Opera Gala
This event promises to have something
for everyone. For both the lifelong opera lover or the novice, this
programme fully staged will contain a feast of opera’s most inspiring music
that will create a positive and lasting memory. www.operabrava.co.uk
Suitable for
When
7:30-10pm
Admission
Tickets in advance £25.00/£10.00
Family Activity Day
School Days theme activity
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-3pm
Admission
Free
Family Activity Day
School Days theme activity
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-3pm
Admission
Free
Family Activity Day
School Days theme activity
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-3pm
Admission
Free
Family Activity Day
School Days theme activity
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10:30am-3pm
Admission
Free
Classic Car Visit
Cars will be with us approx 11am - 12.30pm.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Free
Big Draw at Shaw
Join us for Big Draw activities throughout the holidays
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Free
Getting there
By Road From the M4
Leave the motorway at junction 13 take A34 towards Newbury. Exit for A339 Newbury Town Centre (this is first slip road off the A34 and comes up very quickly). Straight over first roundabout (Vodafone HQ on left), keep in left hand lane at traffic lights, then take next left onto Shaw Road – B4009 (signposted Hermitage). At mini roundabout turn left onto Church Road (signposted Shaw Church) and the entrance to the car park is on the right before the main gates to the house.
From the south
From the A34 take slip the road exit signposted A4 Newbury & Hungerford, (this is the third junction for Newbury). At the roundabout turn left onto the A4, follow the road through Speen, past the Hare & Hounds pub on the right. At the next roundabout take second exit, staying on A4. At the A339/A4 roundabout, take a left turn into Shaw Road – B4009 (signposted Hermitage). At mini roundabout turn left onto Church Road (signposted Shaw Church) and the entrance to the car park is on the right before the main gates to the house.
From the east (Thatcham), west (Hungerford) and south east (Basingstoke)
At the A339/A4 roundabout, take left turn into Shaw Road – B4009 (signposted hermitage). At mini roundabout turn left onto Church Road (signposted Shaw Church) and the entrance to the car park is on the right before the main gates to the house.
By Rail
Shaw House is situated 11/2 miles from Newbury station. There is a taxi rank at the station; alternatively it is approximately 20-25 minutes walk through the town centre.
By Bus
Shaw Road, just a few minutes walk from Shaw House is well served by buses to and from Newbury Bus Station. Newbury Buses services the 6, 6A and 1 stop in Shaw Road. The bus stops are on either side of the road close to the local shop from where it is a short walk along Shaw Road and Church Road to Shaw House.
By Cycling
Shaw House can be reached by cycling and as well as the road there is a cycle route shown in yellow on the Shaw House Location Map. A cycle shelter is available in the grounds and lockers are available for cyclists to safely deposit their belongings.
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