Basildon Park

Basildon Park is a Grade I listed historic building in Berkshire, cared for by the National Trust. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Basildon Park

Near Pangbourne in Berkshire, Basildon Park is a Palladian country house begun in 1776 for Sir Francis Sykes, an East India Company nabob who had made his fortune in Bengal.

The house's pale stone front contrasts with the plainer brick villages nearby.

The National Trust has cared for the property since 1978.

Film crews return here often, and visitors can wander rooms dressed for both Jane Austen and 1920s costume drama.

History of Basildon Park

The house was commissioned by Sir Francis Sykes, who had returned from India with a fortune made under the East India Company, and construction began in 1776, with the house completed in 1783. It changed hands several times over the following two centuries, standing empty and even used for military purposes during periods of the 20th century. Lord and Lady Iliffe bought the house in a poor state after the Second World War and restored it before giving it to the National Trust in 1978.

Architecture of Basildon Park

The house is built in the Palladian style, with a central block and flanking pavilions typical of grand 18th-century country house design. A costly imported stone was brought in for the facade, setting it apart from the local brick and flint building tradition.

Worth knowing

Basildon Park has appeared on screen repeatedly, standing in for Netherfield Park in the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice and featuring in Downton Abbey. Its rooms have doubled for wealthy country estates in several other period productions, thanks to interiors left largely untouched by modern alteration.

Gardens & grounds at Basildon Park

The parkland runs down towards the Thames valley, with mature trees and open grass giving long views rather than formal planting.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop Picnic area Accessible toilets Baby changing

Plan your visit to Basildon Park

Address: Lower Basildon, RG8 9NR

Prices Opening times Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Goring & Streatley Rail Station (1.6 miles)

Part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape: see all the National Trust places there, with a map and day-trip routes.

Generally open to visitors for most of the year, with reduced or closed periods around Christmas; check the official website for current dates.

Places to visit near Basildon Park

Englefield House

historic house 3.9 miles

Visit Englefield House View Englefield House on heritage map

St John the Baptist's Church, Mongewell

church 6.0 miles

View St John the Baptist's Church, Mongewell on heritage map

St Mary's Church, Newnham Murren

church 6.4 miles

View St Mary's Church, Newnham Murren on heritage map

St Peter's Church, Wallingford

church 7.0 miles

View St Peter's Church, Wallingford on heritage map

Nuffield Place

historic building 7.3 miles

View Nuffield Place on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Basildon Park (RG8) there are 1 historic properties, including 1 historic house.

1 Historic Houses

1 Historic house

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Basildon Park (RG8) there are 6 historic properties, including 3 churchs, across Churches Conservation Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.

3 Churches Conservation Trust

1 English Heritage

1 Historic Houses

1 National Trust

3 Church

1 Historic building

1 Archaeological site

1 Historic house

See these 6 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Basildon Park (RG8) there are 36 historic properties, including 11 historic buildings, 10 churchs and 10 historic houses, across Historic Houses, National Trust and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

10 Historic Houses

10 National Trust

9 Churches Conservation Trust

7 English Heritage

11 Historic building

10 Church

10 Historic house

3 Archaeological site

1 Castle

1 Garden

See these 36 sites on the heritage map