I visited Basildon Park and House at the beginning of this month. Due to restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic, only a few rooms of the ground floor are open to visitors. The grounds are also open but have a one-way system in place in areas when I visited. I have never visited Basildon Park and House before, so this was my first visit. The house sits in 400 acres and is perfect to visit in the different seasons and is popular to visit in winter months.
The house itself dates from the 18th century for Frances Sykes, who made a fortune in East India. However, soon after the project at Basildon, Sykes took on debts and was forced to sell. The house then had several owners and was left empty in 1910, so it was used as a hospital by the army. It went through more years of changed owners and abandonment before being used by the army as a training ground, barracks, and prisioner of war camp during World War II. In the 1950s, a lot of country houses were demolished, but Basildon was purchased and brought back to life by the owners. It was given to the National Trust in 1978.
Basildon House has recently been used as a filming location. The 2005 "Pride and Prejudice" was filmed here along with "Dorian Gray" and "Downton Abbey".
I didn't have any lunch on the day before I visited Basildon, so the first stop was to the tea room, which is located near the parking. I had cream tea, which consisted of a scone and afternoon tea.
The house is located a short walk away through a small woodland walk, and there are nice views over the pastures with cattle.
The house is open for a short time to visit, so I went there after having a bite to eat. I was able to explore some of the rooms on the ground floor, but much of the house is still not open.
The first room upon entering is a small hall, and the original features have been retained.
The library cannot be entered, but it is off to the left when entering the hall.
Through the hall, visitors can access the dining room, which is a beautiful room with painted ceiling and marble columns. This was the most impressive room.
The dining room leads off to the Octagon Room, which has stunning views from the windows.
This leads off to a drawing room or living room.
The kitchen was accessed through the drawing room.
And the tour finished off at the room that can be entered through the right of the hall where visitors entered via the front of the house.
After visiting the house, I had a quick walk around the garden. The garden has wonderful views over the pastures and forest, and the autumn colours were beginning to show on the trees.
I enjoyed my visit to Basildon Park and House, and I look forward to returning to see it and to tour the house once it is completely open and safe to do so.
Leave a comment