Aldermaston Manor

History

The history of the Aldermaston estate began centuries before the Norman Conquest. The main road converted by the Romans, linking London and Wales passed through the grounds above the main lake. A Roman milestone called the "Imps" Stone marks the boundary of the road and can be found in the southeast corner of the parish. Two wells found on the site of the Manor House indicate that there was a settlement here around the time of Alfred the Great in 870AD. The village estate once belonged to King Harold and were part of the Royal Forest of Windsor, which stretched from Windsor, through to Hungerford 20 miles west of Aldermaston.

The origin of the Manor House is believed to date back to 1100 and ancient deeds show that King Henry I gave the Manor to Robert Archard who was a distinguished warrior. The estate has seen many changes through the years, surviving family feuds, disease, fire and war. In the early 16th centruy, the estate passed to Sir Humphrey Forster, by virtue of his marriage to the sole surviving De la Mare. Later that century Queen Elizabeth I was entertained at least once during her reign. The house was rebuilt in 1636 by another Sir Humphrey Forster who had inherited the estate in 1618.

The estate passed to the Congreve family in 1747. A stable block was built in about 1800, which is still standing, though used as offices. The estate remained with the Congreve family until 1843, when the house was badly damaged by fire. Daniel Higford Burr bought the estate in 1849. He and his wife Mary built Aldermaston Court about 50 metres south of the previous house. They built the house and incorporated the stunningly ornate hand carved Cherrywood staircase complete with Roman deities, some stained glass and the chimney stacks from the 1636 house, which was later demolished. Mary is still associated with the house as it is widely believed by the staff that she still roams the corridors and rooms.

Charles Keyser bought the house in 1893 and his family had the house until 1939. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II the British government requisitioned the estate. During the war, the USAAF HQ IX Air Support Command was stationed at the house and the estate was used for the manufacture of the Spitfire. After the war, the estate was taken by Associated Electrical Industries, who used it as a research laboratory.

Collier Macmillan Schools bought the estate in 1965. In 1967, the house became a Grade II* listed building. Blue Circle Industries bought the estate in 1981. They restored the house, and converted it into a hotel and conference centre. They also built an office complex on the estate called Portland House, which won an award from The Concrete Society in 1986. The present owners bought the estate in 1997 and now lease it as two seperate parts, The Manor that you see today and Portland House.