Aldermaston Court - The Present House

The Present House

Daniel Higford Burr bought the estate in 1848. He and his wife Mary built Aldermaston Court about 50 metres south of the previous house. They built the house in the Elizabethan style, and incorporated the figured wooden staircase, some stained glass, and the chimney stacks from the 1636 house, which was later demolished.

Charles Keyser bought the house in 1893 and lived there until his death in 1929. The house was empty for ten years before being bought by a company, Associated Electrical Industries (A.E.I.). Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the British government requisitioned the estate and built RAF Aldermaston south of the manor house. During the war, the USAAF HQ XIX Tactical Air Command was stationed at the house, and there were anti-aircraft batteries stationed on the grounds.

After the war, the manor house and immediate grounds were returned to A.E.I., who used it as a research laboratory. They built the MERLIN reactor between the house and the lake – the first commercial scientific reactor in Britain, which was opened on 6 November 1959 by Prince Philip. The bulk of the estate remained an airfield owned by BOAC, who operated it as a pilot training academy and – from 1947 to 1950 – a civilian airport. Air use subsequently transferred to Blackbushe and Luton Airports. and went on to become the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

After AEI's purchase of the manor, it was requisitioned by the government and used as a barracks for the Women's Land Army. The extensive parkland was also sold, but very soon afterwards was chosen by the government as a site for an airfield, RAF Aldermaston. RAF Aldermaston was designated as a satellite air field for RAF Andover.

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 the 1980s. They restored the house, and converted its usage into a hotel and conference centre. They also built an office complex on the estate near to the stable block, called Portland House, which won an award from The Concrete Society in 1986.

Holaw (420) Ltd., the present owners, bought the estate in 1997. The house, now formally known as 'Aldermaston Manor', continues to operate as a hotel and conference centre, and also as a popular venue for weddings. It is managed by the Compass Group of companies.

Within the grounds are a number of ancient oak trees.