Description
Aldermaston or Admiston, a village and a parish in Berks. The village stands at the influx of the Emborne to the Kennet, 8 miles E of Newbury; and it has a station 1 1/2 mile distant on the G.W.R., and a post and money order office under Reading; telegraph office at the railway station. It was formerly a market-town, and it had fairs in May, July, and October. Brewing and malting are carried on, and there is also some trade in coals, timber, and wooden hoops. The Earl of Essex occupied it in 1644. The parish comprises 3691 acres of land and 515 of water; population, 655. Much of the surface is heath. The park of Aldermaston Court includes 1000 acres, and is one of the wildest and most diversified in the south of England. The mansion on it is a Tudor edifice, built in 1851, and contains many interesting relics of a remarkable structure which preceded it, the seat of the Forsters and Congreves; but the old lodges, with spired tower and roof, are still standing. An ancient camp occurs near Aldermaston Soak. The living is an endowed vicarage in the diocese of Oxford; gross yearly income, £150. The church is an ancient building of flint and rubble, with fine Norman doorway and interesting monuments.