Shaw House on the north edge of Newbury in Berkshire hires out its historic rooms for conferences, meetings, training sessions and seminars, for 2 to 100 delegates depending on the layout. The house is run by West Berkshire Heritage, within an hour of London, Bristol and Oxford. Rooms have natural daylight and a restful ambience, and free Wi-Fi and free parking are included.
Seminars and company events
The Shaw House rooms are used for conferences and meetings, with layouts in boardroom, round groups, square groups, theatre, U of chairs and horseshoe. The Great Hall, with panelled walls, a stone floor and large windows, is the largest room for conferences and meetings of up to 100. The Dolman suite is a set of state apartment rooms: Dolman 1 is the largest of the suite, for up to 50 and very versatile for large meetings or those needing breakout areas, Dolman 2 holds up to 14 for smaller and informal meetings, and Dolman 3 holds up to 24, a medium-sized prestigious option. The Chandos Dining Room holds up to 36 and suits group working or seminars. The Oak Room, with the most intact 1580s interior in the house, is well suited to smaller meetings, training sessions or seminars. Other rooms include Farquhar, an oak-panelled room with dual aspect views of the Orangery and Great Lawns, the King Charles room, and a Pink and Rose room. Technical equipment is available, and the team offers hourly room rates.
Weddings and receptions
The venue lists ceremonies, drinks receptions and private hire in its menu. The pages read do not give wedding capacities or licence details, so ask the hire team about them.
Rooms and capacities
Stated capacities are the Great Hall 100, Dolman 1 up to 50, Dolman 2 up to 14, Dolman 3 up to 24 and the Chandos Dining Room 36, with layout tables for each room on the website. The West Berkshire Museum nearby also has rooms for hire, such as the Cloth Hall, which holds 20 on the first floor.
Catering
Catering and refreshments can be arranged with the hire team. The pages read do not name caterers.
Accommodation
There is no accommodation at Shaw House. Newbury and its surroundings have hotels.
History and setting
Shaw House was built in the 1580s. A local legend says that in 1644, during the Second Battle of Newbury, a musket ball passed through a window and narrowly missed King Charles I. The Great Hall was symbolic of the house's status, and the Chandos Dining Room recreates the Chinese Dining Room of the 1730s.
Getting there
Shaw House stands in tranquil surroundings on the north edge of Newbury, within an hour of London, Bristol and Oxford. Free parking is available on site.
