The beautiful private estate of Englefield in the Royal county of Berkshire provides a perfect setting for Heritage Live's summer evening concerts. In recent years, the house and grounds have been used for numerous movies and television series, including Charles Xavier's house in X-Men First Class, parts of Buckingham Palace for The King's Speech, and parts of Sandringham for The Crown, but the story of Englefield is a long and fascinating tale over many hundreds of years of English history and heritage.
In 871AD a battle was fought on the hill above the village, marking an important victory by King Alfred over the Danes and the battlefield was named by the Saxons as ‘Anglefield’ or ‘Field of Angles’ which became Englefield over time. The Englefield family were sheriffs and knights of the shire throughout the Middle Ages and became prominent figures in the royal court in the 16th century. Their connection with the house continued until Sir Francis Englefield was implicated in the Throckmorton Plot of 1583 which aimed to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I and install the Catholic Queen Mary to the throne.
The house and lands were seized under an Act of Parliament and gifted to Sir Francis Walsingham (one of the Queen’s principal advisors) from whom the current family are directly descended. Towards the latter stages of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, it is reported that she was entertained at the house on two separate occasions and that during her visits bestowed a number of knighthoods. The Benyon connection started in the mid-18th century when the then lady of the house Mary Tyssen married Richard Benyon of Gidea Hall in Essex. Richard had been orphaned as a boy and entered service with the East India Company at the age of twelve.
He went on to become Governor of Fort St George (now Madras), making his fortune before returning to England. Some of the furniture that he brought home remains in the house to this day. The House is currently lived in by Richard and Zoe Benyon and their family, and the Estate is a thriving community consisting of farms, woodlands and residential and commercial properties. While the family are modern in their approach to the day to day management of the Estate they are respectful of the history that comes with it and mindful of its responsibility.
Englefield Estate
Berkshire RG7 5EN
GETTING HERE
& Other Information
VIP GUEST AREA
Take advantage of a VIP Ticket (must be purchased on top of your concert ticket) which entitles you to the facilities of the VIP GUEST AREA.
> VIP toilets, VIP Bar (cards only), unreserved additional relaxed seating areas, plus picnic benches scattered on the grass within the VIP compound, plus 'street artist' entertainment.
> VIP ticket holders will also have early access to the concert arena, when possible.
DISABLED/ ACCESS CUSTOMERS
For discounted Disabled/ Accessible tickets, please purchase your tickets online at AXS Ticketing. Please note that if you also require a space on our Access Viewing Platform (AVP) and/or a space in our disabled car parks, you MUST book this option when buying your concert tickets via AXS Ticketing. Spaces on the AVP and within the Disabled Car Parks are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
Access Toilets will be provided in the main arena and within the AVP compound.
Access Zone - a roped off area in front of the AVP will also be provided, allowing Access Customers space on the grass to relax and view the concert in a secure area. Anyone with an Access ticket (purchased via AXS) will be permitted entry to this area on the day of the concert, which is also in close proximity to Access toilets. Camp chairs are also permitted in the area and some chairs will be provided - first come first served.
In addition, ‘Vehicles for Change’ will be providing one of their vehicles for individuals who require either a changing bench and/or hoist or where more space for wheelchair users to access the toilet is needed. The vehicle has either a tail-lift or side-lift with large opening doors which enable the wheelchair user to move straight into the toilet and washroom space. Inside, there is plenty of room for carers or family members who may need to assist or accompany the user. There is a sink at wheelchair height, a toilet with drop down grab rails at either side, a full sized (6 ft) free standing and height adjustable changing bench and an electric ceiling tracked hoist which is compatible with all loop slings. A shower is included with hot and cold running water. They all have heating and consumables such as wipes and disposable gloves and a bin for waste will be provided.
Alcohol, Soft Drinks, Food & Campchairs
Food, alcohol and soft drinks must be purchased on site and cannot be brought into the concert arena. Prohibited items will be confiscated upon entry. There will be an array of artisan food traders and bars onsite.
You are allowed to bring in a camping chair and deck chairs will be available to hire on the evening at £10 each. However, please note that these can only be used in the REAR of the ARENA and you will be prevented from placing them in the front arena, where it is likely to be very busy. There will also be picnic benches and hay bales scattered around the rear edges of the concert arena). For those who have purchased VIP tickets, there will also be some relaxed (unreserved) scattered seating withing the VIP Compound.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
Sat Nav co-ordinates: RG7 5EN
Exit Junction 12 of the M4, signed for Reading. Take the A4 in the Newbury direction, go straight across at the first roundabout and at the second roundabout turn right onto the A340, signed to Pangbourne. For concerts, the site is accessed via the ornamental gates about half a mile on the left hand side. Please follow the signage to concert parking. There is plenty of car parking space available at Englefield, (charged at £10 per car), and tickets can be purchased in advance (as an add-on when buying your concert ticket) for fast-track entry, or by cash/card on the night. Please note that the local road infrastructure is limited, so please allow up to 90mins to enter and leave the car parks. Access through Englefield Village is not permitted.
TRAVELLING BY TRAIN
The nearest railway station is THEALE, which is just 2 miles away and 5 minutes in a taxi.
READING STATION is a 20 minute rail journey from London Paddington and then just a 7 mile drive to Englefield, which takes 15 minutes in a taxi.
TAXIS
500 Cars Reading 0118 959 9999
A4 Executive Cars 0118 921 2121
Arlington Cars 0118 954 5888
Berkshire Cars 0118 950 0400
Bliss Cars 247 0118 986 0001
Cars 4 Executives 0118 466 0000
Coronation Square Cars 0118 950 0005
National Cars 0118 987 3500
Pangbourne Taxis 01491 671979
Pang Valley Cars 0118 984 1000
Platinum Executive Cars 0118 942 2222
Rg7 Cars 0118 443 9551
Reading Station Taxis 0118 956 1010
Silverline 0118 466 1500
Star Car 0118 950 5050
Theale Taxis 0118 930 2345
Woodley Cars 0118 942 4242
Xpress Cars Reading 0118 950 2222
BICYCLE
Please find Englefield on The National Cycle Network
CAN I STAY ON THE ESTATE?
There are no facilities for camping, caravans or campervans on the Englefield Estate and please note that vehicles are not permitted to remain in the concert car park overnight.
For more information on camping and caravan sites in Berkshire, please visit the official tourist website for South East England: https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/accommodation.
E-TICKETS
Please download your E-tickets to your mobile phone (or print them off) before leaving for the concert, as Wi-Fi and 4G signals are very limited onsite.
CAR PARKING / TRANSPORT
Please note that car parking tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your concert ticket, via our many ticket agents. Car parking tickets can also be purchased on the night for £10 per car (cash or card).
Please be aware that the road infrastructure surrounding Englefield is very limited, so please allow plenty of time for your journey to and from the venue. Please be patient and respectful to our staff and neighbours. Please allow up to 90mins to enter and leave the car parks.
CHILDREN
Children aged 14 and under may purchase a Child Ticket (proof may be required upon entry). All children must be accompanied by an adult. Under 5’s free (no ticket required).
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW
Food, Alcohol and other drinks must be purchased on site and will be confiscated upon entry if found in your bag.
Single-use plastics are prohibited
All tickets purchased as 'General Admission Standing', are standing / sitting on grass.
You are allowed to bring in a camping chair and deck chairs will be available to hire on the evening at £10 each. However, please note that these can only be used in the REAR of the ARENA and you will be prevented from placing them in the front arena, where it is likely to be very busy.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
If relevant, Covid-19 guidance and regulations with regards to social distancing will apply.
Please be aware that the road infrastructure surrounding Englefield is very limited, so please allow plenty of time for your journey to and from the venue. Please be patient and respectful to our staff and neighbours. Please allow up to 90mins to enter and leave the car parks.
Please note that vehicles are not permitted to remain in the concert car park overnight.
Please do not set-off to the concert without having first arranged how you are going to get home.
Please download your E-tickets to your mobile phone (or print them off) before leaving for the concert, as Wi-Fi and 4G signals are very limited onsite.
Please note that dogs are not allowed onsite (except Guide Dogs).
