EPW036217 ENGLAND (1931). Aldermaston Court, Aldermaston, 1931

ALDERMASTON COURT - Aldermaston, West Berkshire RG7 4XS Grade 2* listed building - English Heritage Building ID: 39498 Now known as Aldermaston Manor. House. 1636, destroyed by fire, leaving the chimneys, some glass and a staircase. Rebuilt except for staircase in 1848-51 by P.C. Hardwick, with further additions dated 1894 on rainwater heads. The C19 house was built for Daniel Highford Burr, 200 yards west of the old house, whose cellars still exist beneath the lawn. 1939- The house and its immediate grounds were bought by Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) for £16,000 the remainder of the estate being sold in parcels. RAF Aldermaston is located within the old estate parkland. The USAF IX Air Command HQ moved into Aldermaston Court in November 1943. There was later an administrative change when the number of the unit altered to the XIX, with no change to the actual personel or location. 1959- the first commercial scientific reactor (MERLIN) in Britain was between the house and the lake and was opened on 6 November 1959 by Prince Philip. 1965- Collier Macmillan Schools bought the estate in 1965 1980s 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. 1997- The estate was purchased by Holaw (420) Ltd. in 1997, and was operated as a hotel and conference centre called Aldermaston Manor. The estate changed hands again in 2014.