Basildon Park

Basildon Park, situated between Streatley and Pangbourne in the Thames Valley in Berkshire, was once almost certainly deemed for demolition before Lord and Lady Iliffe saved it from ruin, restored and refurnished it, and in 1978 presented it to the National Trust. The main feature of the property is the house, a particularly fine Palladian mansion built in Bath Stone by the architect John Carr of York, for Sir Francis Sykes. Surrounding the house are gardens and pleasure grounds leading to 400 acres of woodland with a series of waymarked walks. Between 1910 and 1952 Basildon was unoccupied (apart from being requisitioned in both wars) and its contents and many of its fittings were sadly dispersed. Conservation of the house and the restoration of the gardens and parkland is being continued by the National Trust. Basildon Park hosts a series of classical concerts, children's open-air theatre, firework concerts, motor club days, craft shows and other productions throughout the season.

Address:

Lower Basildon
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 9NR

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