webequ.in   Home

Keep Hatch House

Keep Hatch House was a grand Victorian mansion that formerly stood in Wokingham. It was built in 1871 but later remained unoccupied for years until its eventual demolition in 1997.

In my teenage years, with a few friends, I explored Keep Hatch House, which by then was a crumbling ruin. Our explorations took place between 1993 and 1997, and we compiled quite a set of photographs. Since then, I have also done a little historical research.

The sale brochure and photos of the house in its original, liveable condition were sent to me a few years ago by somebody whose family used to live and work on the grounds. Unfortunately, I can't remember his e-mail address. I hope he won't mind me publishing them.

Tour of the house

Here are my photos of the house in its ruined state.

And here are somebody else's photos of the house in liveable condition.

Sale brochure

Here is an undated sale brochure for the property, including a map of the buildings and descriptions of the rooms.

Newspaper articles

Here are three newspaper articles I found in the local library.

• Echoes of an age of grace (5 September 1991)
• Derelict mansion is a danger to children (6 March 1997)
• Historic house to be bulldozed for luxury flats (4 September 1997)

Church plaques

St Paul's Church has two plaques that mention the former residents of Keep Hatch House:

In ever loving memory of Denis Frederick Denis de Vitré, only son of the Rev: G E Denis de Vitré, born March 18 1867 at Weston Vicarage, Herts: died May 13 1924 at Keep Hatch, Wokingham, where he lived for 50 years. His ashes lie around the adjacent buttress outside. The gift of God is eternal life.

Also in grateful memory of his wife Blanche Caroline and of his daughters Sibyl Blanche 27 December 1900 — 9 June 1985, Dora Mary 29 August 1902 — 6 July 1985. May they rest in peace.

Note that there is a street, De Vitre Green, on the Bean Oak estate, that bears the name of this local family.