Donnington Castle Research and Other Volunteer Opportunities

SCD Community Heritage with English Heritage present: Research and other Volunteer Opportunities at Donnington Castle.

At our morning Symposium Local historian Dr. David Peacock and English Heritage will outline the scope of a five year Programme researching original documents in local and national archives from reign of Richard II to today, together with a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

In the afternoon there are Guided Tours of the Gate house with access to the Steward's Chamber on the first floor: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/manage/events/1996653958739

Donnington Castle and its environs is a much loved "little gem" and we have so much more to discover and unearth. Our aim is to enhance the presentation and story telling to provide visitors from near and far with an experience fitting for this little known scheduled monument in our local and national life.

An adjunct to the Research of original documents is Archaeology and presentation of artifacts. Telling the story requires imagination and a use of various media from traditional guides to oral and digital technology. In addition to Guided Tours, the Castle is an amazing venue for a variety of special events.

To meet these aspirations, we need the help of volunteers with a wide variety of skills, and those with everyday personal histories of the Castle. HOD at St Mary's 2026 is your opportunity to be in at the beginning: Please reserve free tickets via Eventbrite link and RSVP to [email protected]

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

Doors open: 0930-1300. Tours: 1000-1230

Location & directions

St. Marys Church, Church Road, Shaw-cum-Donnington, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2DR

Directions:

Next door to Shaw House and Trinity Academy

Contact on day:

David Willetts

Telephone number:

+447714211024

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Please pre-book via Eventbrite.

Booking contact name:

David Willetts

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heritage-open-day-tickets-1994071156508?aff=

Booking opens:

11 Aug 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

09 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Wheel Chair Access to the Church is by way of the open gate to the West nearest to Trinity Academy leading to the War Memorial and via the pathway from the East past the entrance to Shaw Hous, leading to the Churchyard and thence to the South Door of the Church. There is one female, one male toilet and the accessible toilet with changing facilities in the Church. Access to these facilities from the Church, is via the Churchyard pathway. Access to the Car Park is via the entrance from Church Road immediately opposite the Lych Gate. There is a 2 car disabled parking bay on the right

Additional information

St. Mary's Shaw-cum-Donnington is a listed Neo-Gothic Church Building that replaced an early pre-Conquest Building in 1841 after the Rector came back from holiday on the Isle of Wight.

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