Shaw House
BEST FOR
Ages 0-4
ENTRY
from £6
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Newbury
What it’s like
A Tudor house with grounds full of old trees to explore, garden games in summer and free entry for under 4s.
The house itself dates back centuries and the audio guides fill you in on the stories as you go, from the building's history to the arms and armour left over from the English Civil War. Handsets are free from reception, though they do warn availability isn't guaranteed on busy days, and there are printed guides to buy if you'd rather not queue for one.
Outside is where the younger ones will actually want to be. The grounds have 16th century trees to duck about under, and in the warmer months there are giant garden games set up on the lawns. Picnics are welcome on the Grade II listed grass, which is a nice touch given how many historic sites make you eat in a corner of the car park instead.
Pricing rewards planning. A family ticket for two adults and up to three kids is £25, or £20 if you're a West Berkshire resident, and under 4s get in free regardless. If you think you'll be back more than twice a year the annual family pass at £80 works out cheaper fast. The house is only open certain months, shut through November and January and closed Sundays in October, so it's not a spontaneous rainy-Tuesday sort of visit.
Parking is free and there's ample of it, with Blue Badge bays right in front of the house and lift access to every floor. Pushchairs need to be left on the ground floor, but hip seats are available for babies and toddlers who'd rather be carried round. The café does sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks if the picnic option doesn't appeal.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Under 4s, who get in free and have the grounds to explore
- Parking
- Free on site, ample parking available
- Picnics
- Welcome on Grade II listed lawns
- Pushchairs
- Hip seats for 6 months-3 years
- Wheelchairs
- Fully accessible with lift access to all floors
- Dogs
- Not stated. Assistance dogs may be permitted but site does not specify
- Getting there by bus or train
- 25 minute walk from Newbury town centre, accessible by public transport, 5 minutes from M4/A34 junction
- Worth knowing
- Historic Houses members can visit free with valid membership card
- Closed through November and January, so check which season you're planning around
- Pushchairs stay on the ground floor except in the Register Office
- The annual family pass is £80, worth it if you'll visit more than a couple of times a year
- Essential companion tickets are free alongside a paying visitor if needed
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9 for an adult and £6 for a child, or £25 for a family of two adults and up to three kids. West Berkshire residents get a discount, and under 4s go free.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can just turn up during opening hours.
Is it any good for a toddler?
Under 4s are free and there are hip seats available for babies and toddlers rather than pushing a buggy round every floor.
Is it open all year?
No, it runs 14 February to 30 September, then Monday to Saturday in October, then daily from 1 to 20 December. It's closed through November and January.
What are the opening hours?
10am to 4pm on weekdays and 11am to 4pm at weekends across the seasons it's open.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The café does sandwiches, homemade cakes and speciality hot drinks, and picnics are welcome on the lawns.
Is there parking?
Free on site parking with ample space, plus three Blue Badge bays right in front of the house.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
The house has lift access to every floor and a dedicated disabled toilet, with Blue Badge parking right by the entrance.
What do kids actually do there?
They explore the grounds and the old trees, play giant garden games in warmer months, listen to audio guides and look at English Civil War arms and armour.
Are audio guides included in the price?
They're free to use from reception, though donations are welcomed, and there are printed colour guides to buy as well.
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