| Print | More

CAVERSHAM PARK

ABOUT THIS MONUMENT

+ / -

EH Visitor Information
Related Monuments
Related Text
Investigation History

More Pictures
Modern Map
Old Map
Aerial Photograph

Monument Types
Sources
Thesaurus
Description

DESCRIPTION

+ / -

Country house, rebuilt after the fire of 1850 for William Crawshay, a Welsh iron master, who had bought the estate in 1838. The three storey house is built of stone around an iron frame. There are Ionic colonnades to each side, built in 1840, prior to the fire, with an orangery to the west. Extensions include a chapel on the east and a linked lodge to the north west, added in 1890. The house was damaged by fire in 1926 but restored. Formerly a school, it now houses the BBC World Monitoring Station and Radio Berkshire.

DETAIL

+ / -

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

+ / -

Rebuilt, possibly by J T Crews, after the fire of 1850 for William Crawshay, a Welsh iron master, who had bought the estate in 1838. Of the early 18th century house of the Earl of Cadogan nothing remains, and very little retains of the works by Mr Acres and Capability Brown in the Park. Three storeys and basement. Ashlar with iron frame. Ground floor rusticated with Doric frieze over. Piano nobile above. Seven bays, outer wider with tripartite windows, divided by engaged Composite columns (end piers). Dentil cornice, balustraded parapet. Glazing bar sash windows with raised surrounds and bracket cills, pedimented on piano nobile (alternately triangular and segmental). Flanking set back Ionic colonnades of 1840 by J T Crews. Nine bays each with balustrade over, returned to east, orangery to west. Various extensions to east (including chapel) and west (former school rooms etc) and also to north-west which has a classical Doric portico to linked lodge dated 1890. To rear of main house is an Ionic Porte Cochere (now a reception room). Interior retains considerable decoration of the post-1850 house. Large central hall with two balustraded galleries, Doric on ground floor, Ionic on 1st floor. The best room is behind Crews West colonnade - arcaded with columned screen to west and apse colonnade to east. Elaborate decoration in the principal drawing room with enriched doorpieces and so on. Chapel altered. A landmark for the railway. Grade 2. (1)

SOURCE TEXT

(1) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

Borough of Reading, Berkshire: 14.12.78 Page(s)161-2

RELATED MONUMENTS

+ / -

Monument Name/No

Resources

Description

CAVERSHAM PARK
READING

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Remains of formal gardens and a landscape park to Caversham Park, a country house rebuilt after 1660. The formal gardens were designed by Stephen Swit...

ENTRANCE GATES AND GATE PIERS TO CAVERSHAM PARK
READING

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Circa 1850 probably. Possibly designed by J T Crews. Tall square ashlar gate piers with ball finials. Good ornamental wrought and cast iron gates. ...

TEMPLE TO WEST OF CAVERSHAM PARK
READING

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Probably later 19th century (Pevsner suggests mid-19th century). Tetrasle pedimented Doric portico with full entablature and buccrania. Portland sto...

MONUMENT NO. 1398564
READING

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Approximate site of a medieval castle or fortified manor house documented in 1218. The house was purchased by Sir Francis Knollys in 1542 but was demo...

MONUMENT TYPES

+ / -

COMMENTS

+ / -

Please help us keep our information accurate let us know if you see any errors on this page.

Further information about monuments may be obtained by contacting NMR Enquiry and Research Services , through the English Heritage website.

EH Archives
EH Prints
English Heritage
Heritage Explorer
Heritage Gateway
Images of England
National Heritage List for England
English Heritage Archive
ViewFinder