Caversham, Peppard
Berkshire
England
Historic County: OxfordshireCirca Date: 1850, incorporating earlier elements, w/1890 alterations and additions
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: No
Country House: Yes
An engraving of the third House from "Neale's Views of Seats," 1825.
The fourth House from a circa 1910 postcard
Earlier Houses: The Elizabethan house (the first house) was demolished and replaced by a house of 1660. This 17th century house (the second house) burned down in the late 18th century and was replaced by a smaller house in 1780 (the third house). This house also burned down (in 1850) and was replaced by the current house (the fourth house) of 1850.
House & Family History: William Knollys entertained Queen Elizabeth I at the first Caversham Park in the late 16th century. During the English Civil War the House was confiscated by the Parliamentarians and used to imprison Charles I. During World War I the fourth Caversham was used as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. In 1923 the Oratory School purchased the House and 300 acres. At the beginning of World War II the Ministry of Health requisitioned Caversham Park to be used as a hospital; instead, in early 1943, the BBC purchased the Estate, with government grant-in-aid funds, and moved its Monitoring Service into the House. In late 2017 the BBC announced that it was selling Caversham to reduce the coproration's operating costs.
Comments: In April 1786 John Adams, later second president of the United States, visited Caversham and other houses in the area. After his visits he wrote in his diary "Stowe, Hagley, and Blenheim, are superb; Woburn, Caversham, and the Leasowes are beautiful. Wotton is both great and elegant, though neglected."
Architect: William Winde (Wynne)
Date: 1660House Listed: Grade II
Park Listed: Grade II
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT ELIZABETHAN HOUSE (THE FIRST HOUSE): Sir Francis Knollys, 16th century; William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury, 16th-17th centuries. SEATED AT 17TH CENTURY HOUSE (THE SECOND HOUSE): William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven, 17th century. William Cadogan, 1st Earl Cadogan, 18th century. SEATED AT 18TH CENTURY HOUSE (THE THIRD HOUSE): Major Charles Marsack, 1780s. SEATED AT 19TH CENTURY HOUSE (THE FOURTH HOUSE): William Crawshay II, 19th century.
Current Ownership Type: Corporation
Primary Current Ownership Use: Offices
Ownership Details: Since 1943 owned by the BBC, who today house BBC Monitoring and BBC Radio Berkshire here.
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No