Discover Wasing: Manor House, Church and Nature

Wasing combines listed architecture, historic parkland and special nature experiences. Anyone wishing to plan a trip featuring culture, woodland, water and individual events will find a range of opportunities here for varied days out. When choosing your accommodation, it is particularly useful to consider whether you want to focus on historic places, nature experiences or a specific offering at Wasing Estate.

Historic Places in Wasing Estate

Wasing Place is an 18th-century country house and landscape park with informal gardens from the 19th century. The building is listed at Grade II. Also distinctive is the Church of St Nicholas, whose 13th- and 15th-century fabric was supplemented by alterations and additions from the 18th century. It is listed at Grade I.

Access to the Church of St Nicholas is through the gate of Wasing Estate on Wasing Lane, opposite Shalford Farm. This specific landmark is helpful if you would like to include a church visit in your day planning. Wasing Park also includes the Grade II-listed Castle Barn and a restored traditional farm hamlet. This creates a cultural picture shaped not by a single building, but by several historic elements of the Estate.

The history of the estate also stretches back a long way: Mount acquired Wasing Estate in 1759. Joshua Dugdale, the manager of Wasing Estate, belongs to the Mount family in the seventh generation.

Lakes, Woodlands and Nature Watching

One of the notable natural features is Staghead Lake in Wasing Woods, which has existed since the 17th century. The waters of Wasing Fisheries provide a habitat for bitterns, herons, hobbies, swans and kingfishers, among others. For nature enthusiasts, this offers a different perspective on Wasing: the character of the Estate is shaped not only by landscaped gardens and historic buildings, but also by bodies of water and woodland landscapes.

Wasing Estate is also involved in managing a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, in Wasing. Wasing Fisheries allow members exclusive use of the extensive lakes and rivers within the Estate and in the Kennet Valley. Walking and riding permits are also sold at the Estate. If you would prefer to focus your trip on landscape and outdoor activities, you should consider these different forms of use separately when planning and observe the applicable conditions in each case.

Special Experiences for Different Types of Days Out

Wasing Wild Swim & Sauna combines a swim in a woodland lake with an authentic Scandinavian sauna. This appeals to travellers who want to combine nature and relaxation in a special experience. Music concerts take place at the woodland amphitheatre The Mount. This means that, alongside historic attractions, Wasing also provides a cultural setting for an evening out.

The Wasing Pumpkins & Woodland Trail 2026 event combines a decorated woodland trail with a pumpkin patch for self-picking. The event offers seasonal snacks as well as hot and cold drinks. For families in particular, an outing of this kind can form a focus in its own right, while the historic buildings and landscape are more suited to a quieter day of discovery.

The Right Accommodation for Your Stay in Wasing

A holiday apartment in Wasing is suitable as a base for a trip where you can arrange your days according to your interests: historic buildings, landscape, water, music or a special event. When searching, consider which experiences are essential for your stay and whether you would prefer to follow a culturally focused or nature-oriented itinerary.

If you would like to compare other destinations, you can also find Compton, Bradfield, Reading, Chieveley, East Ilsley, Hungerford, Frilsham and Newbury.

For the higher-level travel overview: Berkshire.