Photo: West Woodhay House by Stephen Richards, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
West Woodhay House is a Grade I listed historic house in Berkshire, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About West Woodhay House
Sir Benjamin Rudyard, poet, lawyer and Member of Parliament, built West Woodhay House in 1635 in the Berkshire village of West Woodhay, near Newbury.
The Grade I listed house is attributed to Inigo Jones, a link thought to stem from Rudyard's friendship with the 3rd Earl of Pembroke, whose seat at Wilton he visited often.
Historic Houses lists the property, and entry is not free for members.
The house stands close to the Berkshire Downs, with tall limes marking the line of an avenue that once ran across the valley below it.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of West Woodhay House
Henry Henderson, brother of the 1st Lord Faringdon, purchased West Woodhay House in 1920. His grandson Johnny Henderson and wife Sarah removed extensive Victorian additions in 1948, restoring the house to its original 1635 form. The property has since been developed, with gardens enhanced including new landscaping and water features.
Architecture of West Woodhay House
The house is Grade I listed and attributed to Inigo Jones, though no documentary proof of his involvement survives. Victorian-era additions altered its appearance until they were removed in 1948, returning the building to its original seventeenth-century form.
Worth knowing
Sir Benjamin Rudyard, who built the house, sat in Parliament and was known as a poet in his day. A small church designed by Sir John Vanbrugh once stood in the grounds before its demolition in the nineteenth century; its footings now form the base of the house's Italian Garden.
Gardens & grounds at West Woodhay House
The grounds include an Italian Garden on the site of the old Vanbrugh church, a walled garden replanted from 1999 to a design by Veronica Mackinnon, and sculpture by Neil Wilkin set throughout the gardens.
Plan your visit to West Woodhay House
Nearest station: Kintbury Rail Station (2.5 miles)
Admission
Historic Houses members must pay for entry
Places to visit near West Woodhay House
Sandham Memorial Chapel
View Sandham Memorial Chapel on heritage mapDonnington Castle
View Donnington Castle on heritage mapSt Martin's Chapel, Chisbury
View St Martin's Chapel, Chisbury on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of West Woodhay House there are 1 historic properties, including 1 historic house.
Within 10 miles of West Woodhay House there are 7 historic properties, including 3 churchs and 2 historic houses, across Churches Conservation Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of West Woodhay House there are 39 historic properties, including 12 historic buildings, 9 archaeological sites and 7 churchs, across English Heritage, National Trust and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Facts
A rare Inigo Jones-attributed house, stripped of Victorian clutter in 1948 to reveal its original 1635 form.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Berkshire, England
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