Purley Park and its Estate
A Talk by Catherine Sampson
Built about 1800 to replace an earlier house by the river, Purley Park and its estate dominated the landscape in Purley until its sale from 1920 onwards. The talk will cover the changing and sometimes turbulent history of the estate from the 1500s to present day. Also, some of the families associated with it. We will look at some of its lost buildings including its thatched lodge gates, gardener’s cottage and boathouse and the parkland which was gradually replaced with housing during the twentieth century. However, it is the families associated with the house who provide the most interesting and sometimes controversial stories. The gambler who “lost” the house over a card game at White’s Club, the book and print collector who donated his vast collection to Eton College, and the irrascible Major Storer who mistakenly threw his wife’s china tea service into the Thames.
2.30 - 3.45pm
This talk is being held at our new external venue for talks - Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BE. The venue has disabled access and a disabled toilet.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available (included in the price). Pre-booking is preferred, but you can also pay at the door.
Image above: Purley Park circa 1912 with Ivy Fullerton in the foreground, courtesy of Project Purley Local History Society.
About Berkshire Family History Society
This talk is organised by Berkshire Family History Society CIO, a registered charity number 1204390.
