Whitchurch-on-Thames, near Reading
Oxfordshire
England
Circa Date: Early 16th century w/17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century alterations and additions
Status: Partially Extant
19th century additions demolished in the late 20th century
House Open to Public: No
Country House: Yes
An 1827 hand-colored engraving of the house from "The Antiquities of Oxfordshire"
Built / Designed For: Richard Lybbe
House & Family History: King Charles I visited Hardwick as a prisoner while he was being escorted from Oxford. The house was supposedly the inspiration for E.H. Shepard's illustrations of Toad Hall in the "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame, although this notoriety is also claimed by a number of other country houses along the Thames.
Country Life: XX, 90, 1906.
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Not Listed
Current Seat / Home of: Sir Julian Day Rose, 4th Bt.
Past Seat / Home of: Richard Lybbe, 16th century. Philip Powys, 18th century; Philip Lybbe Powys, 19th century. Sir Charles Day Rose, 1st Bt., 1909-13; Sir Frank Stanley Rose, 2nd Bt., 1913-14; Sir Charles Henry Rose, 3rd Bt., 1914-66.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: No
Phone: 01189-841-096
Website: https://hardwickestate.co.uk/
Historic Houses Member: No