An Elizabethan manor which housed the headquarters of King Charles I during the English Civil War has been opened to the public for the first time following a £6m restoration.

Built in 1581, Shaw House in Berkshire was the site at which Charles was based during the second Battle of Newbury in 1664, and has undergone an extensive three-year refurbishment project having stood empty for more than 10 years. The new visitor attraction, which includes interactive games and activities, will also serve as a conference and meeting venue, as well as housing West Berkshire Council's (WBC) registration service for births, deaths and ceremonies.

Led by project architect, Brian Anderson from Purcell Miller Tritton, the restoration included the repair of the house's historic fabric, the installation of new services, and improvements to access. Materials were preserved and reused wherever possible, while unsympathetic modern additions to the property were removed. Funding for the restoration of the Grade-I listed property, which began in 2005, was provided by a £4.2m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £125,000 from English Heritage. Local telecommunications company, Vodafone, also contributed £1m to the scheme.

Amanda Loaring, heritage and tourism manager for WBC, said: "Shaw House is genuine asset to the region and provides a unique mix of functions within an attractive and historic setting. We look forward to welcoming many visitors in the year ahead." Head of the HLF in the South East, Michelle Davis, said: "Shaw House is a real jewel in the South East's cultural crown. Its Tudor architecture make it a beautiful place to visit and its walls have witnessed many exciting moments in history."