The West Berkshire Historic Environment Record (HER) is the primary index of the physical remains of past human activity in the unitary authority of West Berkshire Council. Limited elements of the West Berkshire HER are available online via the Heritage Gateway, therefore it is not suitable for use in desk-based studies associated with development, planning and land-use changes, and does not meet the requirements of paragraph 194 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2021: 56). Please read the important guidance on the use of the West Berkshire HER data. For these purposes and all other commercial enquiries, please contact the Archaeology team and complete our online HER enquiry form.

This site is designated as being of national importance and is afforded additional protection. Consult West Berkshire Council's Archaeology team if more information or advice is needed.

Summary

Brick dwelling within the curtilage of Shaw House, a 20th century caretaker's house, probably part of an Edwardian range but with some earlier fabric

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

• Conservation Area: Shaw House and St Mary's Church, Shaw
• Registered Park or Garden (II) 1001446: Shaw House

Monument Type(s):

• GAME LARDER (19th century to Early 20th century - 1801 AD? to 1911 AD?)
• HOUSE (19th century to Early 20th century - 1801 AD? to 1911 AD?)
• SERVANTS HALL (19th century to Early 20th century - 1801 AD? to 1911 AD?)

Full Description

Historical maps indicate that various buildings or structures existed to the northwest of the main building at Shaw House including an octagonal building <1>. At the time of the First Edition Ordnance Survey mapping, surveyed in 1878 <2> a building was detached, but on the 3rd Epoch <3> a range ran northwards from the west wing.

Historical research carried out in connection with the restoration of Shaw House <4> described this as a service range built for Mrs Farquhar, the owner from 1906-35. Alterations were made when the house became a school after 1943: the scullery adjoining the kitchen and small sheds were demolished to create a wide open passage past the house, and the northern part of the range including the former servants' hall and a game larder were converted to form self-contained accommodation for the school caretaker. This property was given the name 'The Cottage'.

A survey of the garden's standing structures in 2003 <5> <6> describes the cottage, a detached building running from north to south with its front to the west. It is built of red brick with the main part of three bays with one and a half storeys, and has a prominent chimney stack and large dormer windows. The brick is set in English bond and is described as 'competent William and Mary revival of the Edwardian period' <5>. However a lower part in line to the north is earlier. A doorway with a thin timber lintel and windows with arched heads formed by a single course of headers seems to date from c1800.

Sources and further reading

Related Monuments

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.