Business Details
Heritage Experiences in Newbury
West Berkshire Heritage, operated by West Berkshire Council, is a dedicated service preserving and promoting the rich history of the region. With a team of experienced professionals managing Shaw House and West Berkshire Museum, we offer a diverse range of educational programs, cultural exhibitions, and event venues. Our commitment to safeguarding local heritage is matched by our focus on community engagement and educational outreach.The team combines decades of expertise in archaeology, curation, and heritage management to deliver accessible, high-quality services. From historic venue hire to interactive museum experiences, we strive to connect visitors with the area's storied past through innovative programming and meticulous conservation efforts.
Services
Venue Hire
Museum Exhibitions
Educational Programs
Archaeological Advice
Heritage Walks
Highlights and features
- We offer expert-led heritage conservation and archaeological advisory services
- Our venues host diverse cultural events from historic fairs to modern exhibitions
- Team includes certified curators and archaeologists with national recognition
- We provide accessible educational programs for schools and lifelong learners
- Our Grade I listed buildings combine historical significance with modern facilities
Services
Venue Hire
Shaw House provides Grade I listed event venues for conferences, weddings, and cultural gatherings. Our historic rooms accommodate up to 200 guests with modern facilities in a 16th-century setting. The grounds and architectural features create memorable backdrops for both corporate and private functions.
Museum Exhibitions
West Berkshire Museum showcases permanent and temporary exhibitions covering local history from prehistoric times to modern communities. Our collections include archaeological finds, historical artifacts, and interactive displays. Special exhibitions feature community-curated content and contemporary art installations.
Educational Programs
We deliver curriculum-linked school visits, family workshops, and lifelong learning courses. Programs cover archaeology, history, and cultural heritage with hands-on activities. Our outreach includes object handling sessions and heritage skills workshops for all age groups.
Archaeological Advice
The archaeology team provides planning advice, historic environment records, and developer-funded excavations. We maintain the district's Historic Environment Record and offer specialist guidance for landowners. Our services ensure preservation of archaeological assets during modern development.
Heritage Walks
Local heritage walks explore West Berkshire's historic landscapes and archaeological sites. Led by expert guides, these walks cover ancient monuments, medieval structures, and industrial heritage locations. Routes include accessible paths and themed trails for different ability levels.
People
Nik Stewart
Shaw House Manager
With over a decade managing Shaw House, Nik combines heritage expertise with event management experience from Lords Cricket Ground. He oversees venue operations and public events programming.
Sarah Orr
Principal Archaeologist
A 20-year heritage sector veteran, Sarah leads archaeological planning advice for West Berkshire. Her work focuses on balancing development needs with historic environment conservation.
Clare Bromley
Learning and Participation Officer
Clare develops educational programs connecting schools and communities with museum collections. She has curated exhibitions on diverse topics including Black History Month themes.
Janine Fox
Curator
Janine manages museum collections and develops exhibitions with community input. Her background includes roles at major museums like Oxford's History of Science Museum.
Philip Smither
Finds Liaison Officer
Philip oversees the Portable Antiquities Scheme for West Berkshire, recording historic finds and managing treasure reports. He brings archaeological fieldwork experience from international excavations.
Questions
What are the public opening times for Shaw House?
Shaw House is open to visitors during school holidays and weekends from February to September annually.
Does the museum charge admission fees?
Entry to West Berkshire Museum is free, though donations are welcome to support collection conservation.
Can I book event space at Shaw House?
Yes, Shaw House offers venue hire for weddings, conferences, and special events through their online enquiry system.
Are educational resources available for schools?
Yes, we provide curriculum-linked school visits, workshops, and outreach programs managed by our Learning and Participation Officer.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Kim Ball
Oct 29, 2021
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Stunning property and lovely garden, nice canteen with out door bench seating. Nice old quaint building inside with character features. Plenty of parking and nice facilities.
Bob Wheeler
Sep 23, 2021
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Lovely day for a picnic. Wonderful house and gardens. Loads of history attached, fascinating civil war collection to do with the battles of Newbury. Excellent experience all round.
Amanda Sengelow
Sep 14, 2021
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Love this place, we got married here in 2019. So much history and a lot of rooms to look round. The summer picnics are amazing, great value and in a perfect setting.
Fredrick Masih
Jul 20, 2021
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Apart from no air conditioning, it was fabulous as I never knew anything about Newbury and this huge mansion till today. Would love to revisit in my own leisure time as plenty of history waiting to be explored.
