Exploring

Window Wednesday — Basildon Park

by MummyBarrow |
The front of Basildon Park National Trust house sits against a blue sky, and green sweeping lawns

The front of Basildon Park National Trust house sits against a blue sky, and green sweeping lawnsI know we can’t visit National Trust properties at the moment but we went to Basildon Park a few months ago so I have finally got around to sharing the photos for Window Wednesday in the hope you can add it to your list of places to go when we are able to travel again

A lady works at a turquoise melamine counter in a National Trust house kitchen making small scones. She is surrounded by tools and books from the 1950s

Basildon Park is one of the most modern properties we have visited because although it was built in by  sold in 1771 to a gentleman called Francis Sykes before then passing through various families and guises.   In the late 1970s it was finally gifted to The National Trust by Lord and Lady Iliffe.   It’s that 1950s vibe that is still alive and well in the house today.

Two counter tops in a 1950s kitchen with cupboards full of 1950s products. There are enamelled tins and containers on the worktop

Is anybody else as fascinated by kitchens at national Trust houses?  I love wandering around them, imagining staff cooking in them, families living upstairs, and trying to imagine what life was like.  I would definitely have been a below stairs type person back in the day!

A large bathroom with a black marble bath, and a round table cloth and stool

In 1952 Lord and Lady Iliffe bought Basildon Park, which had been badly damaged during the war. The couple went about restoring the house sensitively to its former glory but with the addition of modern day comforts such as central heating, a modern kitchen and bathrooms. They enjoyed many parties with friends during their 25 years in the mansion house before moving into the South Pavilion on gifting the property to the National Trust in 1978.

The shell room at Basildon Park House, shells adorn the walls and a lit cabinet made from shells displays large shells and stone

The shell room took my breath away.  It was the private collection of Lady Illife.  I dont think I have ever seen so many shells in one room!

A window at Basildon Park looks out over the lawn. The window is framed by draped curtains in a mustard and red colour

A large piano sits in a heavily furnished room with red walls at Basildon Park National Trust house

A table at Basildon Park National Trust house laid for dinner. There is a white table cloth, lots of greenery and place settings for 20

Did you know that Lord and Lady Illiffe were in the paper industry and they developed a bonding method for paper that went on to become Basildon Bond paper because it was discussed over dinner in this house?

A marble balustrade on a three storey stair case at Basildon Park National Trust house

Opening hours for Basildon Park

The house is temporarily closed so you will need to check the website for opening hours when the current situation is over.

A sideways look at Basildon Park National Trust house in the distance. The sky is blue and the grass beautifully cut and bright green

How do I get to Basildon Park?

The post code is RG8 9NR, Lower Basildon in Berkshire.  The car park is a short walk from the car park that goes through woodland so if you struggle to walk then do keep an eye out for the disabled parking area

A stone arch leads from the courtyard in the stables at Basildon Park National Trust house

There is a cafe and a shop where you can buy the usual items you would expect at a National Trust property, and garden plants.

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