Description

SU 67 NW PANGBOURNE BERE COURT ROAD
(north-west side)

2/44 Bere Court And Bere
House (formerly listed
as Bere Court)
25.10.51
G.V. I
House, now 2. Founded circa C13 with alterations in the C16 and circa 1670, refaced
circa mid C18, and circa 1820 additions to west. Stone with red brick facing
and rendered plinth. Hipped old tile roof with central flat roofed square.
Square plan. 2 storeys and attic. Plinth, plat band to south; cornice,
parapet, and 4 stacks. 5 dormers to east with segmental pediments except
outer 2 with triangular pediments, 4 gabled dormers to south with 2-light
casements, and 4 segmental headed dormers to west. North front: 7 bays with
width differences, glazing bar sashes with gauged heads and keystones.
Central first floor round arched window with imposts and keystones. Central
6-panelled door, with 4 upper panels fielded and lower 2 flush, and radial
fanlight. Doorcase consisting of 2 attached unfluted Doric columns supporting
triglyph frieze and cornice. 6 bay east front with ground floor French casements
and blind hoods. 8 bay south front with some blind windows, 2 central French
casements, and 6-panelled door in third bay from left. Large arched staircase
window to west. Former service wing to west: red brick with hipped slate roof.
2 storeys. Central ridge stack. 3 bays, glazing bar sashes with louvred
shutters. Door in lower block to right. Interior: delicate decorative
C18 plasterwork in entrance hall with medallions and festoons etc. 3 arches to
south, C18 doorcases, and fireplace. Central mounting 3-flight fork staircase with C19
balustrade and C18 decorative wall plasterwork. Ground floor room with late
C17 panelling and fireplace with carved surround and cornice. Central first
floor room with C18 panelling and architraves. First floor room to south
with C18 panelling, C18 fireplace, flat quadripartite C16 ceiling with moulded
beams, and lately revealed but mutilated early C16 clunch fireplace and
overmantel with cartouches and shells. Other rooms contain C18 panelling
and fireplaces. Vaulted cellars. A section of stone vault rib used as
rubble infil has recently been found (1983). This house was used as the
residence of the Abbots of Reading, being especially favoured by the last,
Hugh Faringdon. C18 drawings show outbuildings to east, possibly including
the former chapel, which were demolished about 1820. V.C.H. (Berks), Vol.3,
p.303; B.O.E, Berkshire, p.192; Berkshire Architectural Guide, Betjeman and
Piper, Murray, 1949, p.137.

Listing NGR: SU6163075016

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Bere Court And Bere House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17528646

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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