Wantage Hall

Wantage Hall
Clock tower with arched entrance
Location within Reading
General information
Status	Grade II listed [1]
Type	Hall of residence
Architectural style	Neo-Tudor
Location	Upper Redlands Road, Reading, Berks RG1 5JG, Reading, Berkshire, England
Coordinates	51°26′42″N0°57′20″W / 51.4449°N 0.9556°W / 51.4449; -0.9556
Construction started	1906
Completed	1908
Owner	University of Reading
Technical details
Structural system	red brick, English bond
Design and construction
Architect	Charles Steward Smith
Website
www.rdg.ac.uk/wantage

Wantage Hall, built 1908, is the oldest hall of residence at the University of Reading, in Reading, England. The hall is one of 13 belonging to the University and is close to Whiteknights Campus. It is designated a grade II listed building, a status given for its special architectural or historic interest. ^[1]

The hall provides fully catered residential accommodation for about 245 students. ^[1]

History

Wantage Hall was built in 1906–1908 by Harriet, Lady Wantage in memory of her husband Robert Loyd-Lindsay, 1st Baron Wantage, and was the first residential hall of the University, at that time an extension college of Christ Church, Oxford. The architect was Charles Steward Smith, and the hall was laid out as a quadrangle and built in Neo-Tudor style in red brick with stone details. ^[1]

Wantage Hall was used by the No 1 School of Military Aeronautics during the First World War for training flight instructors, cadet pilots and observers. During World War II, it was the headquarters of RAF Reserve Command. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

In 1970 an extension of little architectural interest was built to the north, also in red brick. This was called "New Court", and the original structure became "Old Court". ^[1]

Gallery

• 
  The clock tower and entrance from inside Old Court
• 
  A view of Old Court
• 
  The dining room
• 
  An Old Court bed room

Notable Alumni

Joe "Turtin" Urding:

Julian Barratt: Comedian and writer, famous for The Mighty Boosh.

Michael Rosen: Broadcaster, author, poet, and former Children's Laureate.

Rhianna Dhillon: BBC Radio 1 Film Critic.

Robin Bextor: Award-winning film director, producer, and author.

Adrian Butchart: Award-winning screenwriter and film producer (writer of the Goal! Movies).

References

1. English Heritage (2008). "Wantage Hall, Reading". British Listed Buildings.
2. Ashworth, Chris (1990). Action Stations: Military airfields of the Central South and South-East. Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 245. ISBN   1852603763.
3. "Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1939–1957". Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011.

External links

• Media related to Wantage Hall at Wikimedia Commons