About Howbery Park
Howbery Park, located in Crowmarsh Gifford near Wallingford, Oxfordshire, is a unique blend of historical significance and modern business innovation.
Spanning approximately 70 acres of landscaped parkland along the River Thames, it serves as both a business park and a community hub.
Historical background
The centrepiece of Howbery Park is its Grade II listed manor house, constructed around 1850 by William Seymour Blackstone, a Member of Parliament.
Unfortunately, Blackstone never resided there due to financial difficulties. Over the years, the estate changed hands several times, eventually coming under government ownership in the 1930s.
During World War II, it accommodated US and Canadian servicemen and later Central European refugees. Post-war, it became the site for the Hydraulics Research Station (HRS), which was privatised in 1982 to form HR Wallingford, a company dedicated to hydraulic research.
Modern business park
Today, Howbery Park hosts over 50 businesses, ranging from small enterprises to major organisations like the Environment Agency.
Notably, the park emphasises sustainability; it became the UK’s first solar-powered business park in 2011, with its solar farm supplying a significant portion of its energy needs.
The park also features eco-friendly buildings like Red Kite House and Kestrel House, both designed with energy efficiency in mind.
Amenities and community
Beyond its business facilities, Howbery Park offers various amenities, including the Manor Café, meeting rooms, sports facilities, and a nursery.
The park fosters a sense of community through initiatives like the Howbery Park Sports and Social Association (HPSSA), which organises sports and social activities for employees and tenants.
Additionally, the park supports biodiversity with projects like beekeeping and hedgehog conservation.
Cultural significance
Howbery Park has also made its mark in popular culture; in 2007, it served as a filming location for the adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo.
Gallery
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