Marlston
Marlston is a hamlet in the English ceremonial and historic county of Berkshire. For administrative purposes, it lies within the civil parish of Bucklebury and the unitary authority of West Berkshire.
The settlement lies south of the M4 motorway, and is located approximately north-east of Thatcham.
The place-name Marlston is first attested as Marteleston in 1242, and means "Martel's town or manor". Galfridus Martel held the manor in 1242; Martel is a French nickname meaning "hammer", from the Old French martel.
Marlston House was built between 1895 and 1899 in the Elizabethan style, replacing an Elizabethan era house on the same site. It was built for George Palmer, who was one of the founders of the Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory, mayor of the nearby town of Reading, and Member of Parliament for Reading. After George Palmer died in 1897, the house was occupied by his son, George William Palmer, who was also mayor of, and Member of Parliament for, Reading. It is now the home of Brockhurst and Marlston House School, a large preparatory school.
World War II Royal Air Force flying ace Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader and his wife settled in the village after the war.
The Marlston estate is owned by the Astor family.
