This attractive house is situated on the downstream end of Fry's Island (also known as De Montfort Island) on the River Thames. The house is now a private residence but has at various times in the past been used as an Officer's Club and a Blues Bar. It is only accessible by boat, providing an attractive degree of privacy, while being only minutes from the centre of Reading. The island was the location of a duel of honour in 1163 between Robert de Montfort and Henry Earl of Essex, the standard bearer to Henry II. Henry of Essex was badly wounded in combat, but legend has it that he was nursed back to health by the monks of Reading Abbey, where he remained as a monk for the rest of his days.

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