the Prior would find a suitor for his youngest daughter, Celestria. The priory was dissolved in c.1524 and its lands seized by Henry VIII. The Manor house was granted to Wolsey College (later Christ Church), Oxford in 1531. Bagnor Manor was later transferred to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster in return for lands in St. James's Park. They built the present Grade II listed building in the 17th century, but the estate did not pass into private ownership until 1871, when it was purchased by a wealthy family from Donnington Grove. Until 2007 it was home to the art collector and property developer Baron Palumbo, who installed many artworks in the house and grounds. It is now a private residence. Rack Marsh Rack Marsh is a small local nature reserve in the village which is managed by BBOWT. As part of the Kennet and Lambourn floodplain it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was the scene of protests during the construction of the Newbury bypass which passes to the east of the village. This was partly due to the presence on the reserve of the rare Desmoulin's whorl snail. Notable residents A number of notable individuals have lived in the village or its immediate surroundings. They include: Jill Fraser MBE, theatre owner and director, who was artistic director of the Watermill Theatre from 1981 to 2006. Lord Hanson, industrialist, who lived on the outskirts of the village. Jack Hargreaves OBE, television presenter and author, who bought and converted Brook House on the Winterbourne in 1948, moving on to Lymington in 1960. Sir Michael Hordern, actor best known for his performances of Shakespeare, and as the voice of Paddington Bear in the eponymous BBC television series. George Melly, jazz musician and writer Peter Palumbo, Baron Palumbo, property developer and art collector, who lived in Bagnor Manor. See also List of places in Berkshire References External links Rack Marsh on BBC 'Breathing Places' Website Bagnor Manor on 'Berkshire History' Website Villages in Berkshire West Berkshire District