Stratfield Saye is best known as the home of the Duke of Wellington, which he purchased with funds…read morevoted to him by the British Parliament after the Battle of Waterloo. It contains a large number of items connected with the Duke, and is well worth a visit by those interested in this period of history. His descendants still live there today, and the house can be viewed on tours limited each year to days in April and August (NB these must be booked in advance). The origins of the house itself dates back to the mediaeval period, and by the 12th century the manor (the forerunner of today's estate) was owned by the Stoteville family. By the early in the 13th century it had passed by marriage to the Saye family (hence the modern name) and it passed again by marriage in the 14th century to the Dabridgecourts. In 1629 the Dabridgecourts sold the property to the Pitt family, cousins of the great father-and-son Prime Ministers, and it is they who were largely responsible for giving the house the form we see today. The house was enlarged some time after 1630 by Sir William Pitt, Comptroller of the Household to King James I, and the two handsome stable blocks were built. Further changes were made, including the landscaping of the estate and raising some of the ceilings, in the 18th century by George Pitt, the first Baron Rivers. (Those familiar with the Pitt Rivers museum in Cambridge will recognise the name.) In 1817, the UK Parliament voted a sum of £600,000 to the Duke of Wellington for him to purchase and estate and build a palace, along the same lines as had been done by the Duke of Marlborough over a century before. After looking at a number of different estates, Wellington chose Stratfield Saye. An important consideration for him was that the estate should have sufficient land to be self supporting, as he was not independently wealthy. Initially, he intended to build a larger palace nearby, but his desire to purchase a house in London (Apsley House) and rising costs, meant the palace was never constructed, although detailed plans were drawn up. (The plans can be viewed on the tour.) Instead, the Duke had more modest changes made, adding additional wings to the existing house, and modern conveniences such as central heating and some of the first ensuite toilet facilities seen in England. The house as we see it now is essentially two stories high with two sets of flanking wings, each with Dutch gables. Originally in brick, the house was rendered in the 18th century and is now a pleasant mustard yellow colour. The interior includes a grand entrance hall, a fine long gallery and other impressive rooms, with elaborate panelling and stuccoed ceilings. The drawing room in particular has wonderfully gilded plasterwork as well as a number of paintings from the Spanish Royal Collection. These were looted by a retreating Joseph Bonaparte, but captured by Wellington at the Battle of Vitoria at the end of the Peninsular War. (The Spanish King later decreed that Wellington could keep the paintings). The house contains many other paintings, sculpture and furniture connected with the previous families, as well as the Duke of Wellington (who was a keen collector) and his descendants. These include some Roman mosaics from nearby Silchester. The library was his favourite room, which is left largely in the condition when he was a resident. In the nearby stables, is the impressive funeral carriage made especially for Wellington's funeral parade in London, constructed partly from melted-down cannon from Waterloo in 1815. Also in the grounds is the grave of his horse, Copenhagen, which he rode during the Battle of Waterloo. The grounds also include some lovely gardens, which can be visited at the same time is it as the house. Tours to visit the house can be booked on the estate's website. These are strictly limited in availability to a couple of months a year, and last for about an hour. Visitors may visit the grounds and gardens, and also the nearby parish church, where all but the 1st and 6th Dukes are buried. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and provided insight into the life of Wellington and his family, as well the house and its contents. Note the house contains steps inside, and it is a 400m walk from the car park, via the cafe, past the stables, to the house itself. Photographs are not permitted inside the house. [Note: I have lodged a correction for the map marker - Stratfield Saye is in fact 12 miles (18km) south west of Reading.]

We are members of the Sunday Times Wine Club and the Club had their annual pre-Christmas tasting on…read moreWed 1st Dec in the Town Hall. Organised by John Kemp and his team, we were able to try up to 28 samples of red, white and rose wines and some exotic port and whiskys. As we entered we were given a personal glass (which used throughout and were allowed to take home) and a tasting of champagne. Ten separate tables offered quite a variety and I tried the whites and my wife and son tried the rest !! We chose 12 bottles of wine made up of 3 pairs of Alma Andina from Argentina, Pinot Grigio from Hungary, Limonetto from Italy (whites), and three each of Merlot from Chile and Shiraz from Argentina. A nice selection for our Christmas period. Trays of canapes were brought round and they supplemented the tasting nicely. We taxied there and back. It was a cold night but we were able to try a 30 year old Speyside whisky (£50 per bottle)which certainly warmed us up for the journey home.

It also has some museumlocated in city centreread more

This idyllic rural spot was, for over four hundred years, a bustling Roman town at a crossroads on…read morethe road from London to the West Country. The location was the earlier tribal capital of the Atrebates, a Celtic tribe whose territory covered much of present day Berkshire, and parts of Hampshire and Wiltshire. Soon after the Roman conquest in 43AD, a Roman town was established on the same site, called Calleva Atrebates. The town was established within the current walls. These were originally made just of earth with a wooden palisade, but were faced with stone around 280 AD, enclosing around 100 acres. The town had a forum, baths, an inn, several temples and latterly a Christian Church. Evidence is that the town declined gradually after the withdrawal of the Roman Legions in 410AD, but unlike many other locations, it was eventually abandoned. Excavations have identified the street plan and the details described above, but most of the remains have since been covered over. The principal sight is therefore the impressive walls, which form an almost complete circuit. You can walk along the top of the bank above the walls around the site, a distance of around three miles. Close to the modern hamlet near the medieval Church but outside the walls, is the amphitheatre, which is well preserved. This has earthen banks on which wooden seating would have been erected. There is a car park on the north western corner. The walls are not suitable for wheelchairs (the access paths have stiles) , although a section is clearly visible from the road on its eastern side. The path to the amphitheatre is relatively level but the surface is uneven.

Originally a tribal centre of the Iron Age Atrebates, Silchester became the large and important…read moreRoman town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unfortunately there is not a great deal left of the original Roman Silchester as it was never re-occupied or built over after its abandonment in the 5th century. As a result of this it is apparently an archaeoligical haven as it gives an unusually complete picture of its development. It is however a very nice day out (in better weather), as there is a lovely 8 mile walk around the old city walls which remain in some form or another. There is also the remains of an impressive amphitheatre which is a must to view during the walk. The amphitheatre is just outside the old city walls, but its location is made apparrent when viewing the information boards. There is parking available by the city walls. Sign posts are not great, but if you keep driving around the wall you will come accross it eventually. Plenty of areas for pickniking in nice weather and plenty of lovely pubs to stop in and get a drink and bite to eat in the local area.

Greys Court is a Tudor country house and gardens in the southern Chiltern Hills at Rotherfield…read moreGreys, near Henley-on-Thames in the county of Oxfordshire, England. Now owned by the National Trust, and is open to the public. The mainly Tudor-style house has a courtyard and gardens. The walled gardens contain old-fashioned roses and wisteria, an ornamental vegetable garden, maze (laid to grass with brick paths, dedicated by Archbishop Robert Runcie on 12 October 1981) and ice house. Some of this property is undergoing restoration at the moment. The wisteria garden is over 100 years old and amazing to walk through. Take time to explore this beautiful property and the grounds. It is today a working farm and there are beautiful patches of wild flowers and blue bells to walk through during spring. There is a tea house here that serves food and drinks. This is spectacular English countryside well worth exploring.

Gorgeously kept and overflowing with charm - Grey's Court is well worth a visit on a beautiful…read moresummery English day. Parking is easy and on certain days you may find yourself surrounded by grazing sheep - further adding to the Elizabethan style of the manor. Strolling through a well lit house packed with old memorabilia and antique furniture, it's easy to lose yourself. The gardens are stunning, and throughout the grounds there are lovely surprises and beautiful reminders of a time that once was. Trust.

I go here to take my dog for a walk, there is lots of walkways in amongst the trees, you can walk…read morefor hours. There is a nice cafe here when you can rest after your hours of walking and have a nice coffee, sausage roll and cake. There are clean toilets which are checked regually. The parking is great but can get busy in the summer when the weather is nice.

This place not only keeps my kids amused but also keeps me amused for hrs!! They change a few of…read morethe activities once in a while but i generally think if you dont 'over go' there, it will be a winner every time. They have great activities and shows for the kids too. Even the restaurant has moving animals that pop out around the walls which keep the kids amused. Outside is a great woodland space and a huge Castle play area. All in all a superb place for a great day out

18th century house with beautiful park overlooking the river Thames outside Pangbourne…read more fine collection of paintings and furniture. this was one of the setting for the recent Pride and Prejudice film. the gardens are nice in spring when Daffodils are in full bloom. this is a national trust building.

External Street Lighting Consultancy trading for over 5 years with staff totalling over 25 years…read moreexperience.