Purley, Berkshire

Description
Purley, a village and a parish in Berks. The village stands on the river Thames, adjacent to the G.W.R., 2 1/4 miles ESE of Pangbourn station, and 3 1/2 WNW of Reading. It has a post office under Reading; money order and telegraph office, Pangbourn. The parish comprises 873 acres; population, 180. The manor, with Purley Park - a large mansion of stone in the Italian style, standing in a park on the banks of the Thames - belongs to the Storer family. Purley Hall is a large mansion of brick in the Tudor style. It was built by the South Sea schemer Law, was the residence of Warren Hastings during his memorable trial, and is now the seat of the Wilder family. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Oxford; net value, £252 with residence. Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The church stands half a mile from the village; was rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, in 1870; and contains a fine Norman font, and a monument by Nollekens to Mr A. Storer.