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Basildon Park
An estate saved from almost certain demolition and lovingly revived
Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 9NR
Important notice
The house is closed whilst we decorate for Christmas. The grounds, tea room and shop remain open.
Christmas launches on Saturday 16 November when the house will reopen.
Opening times for 16 November 2024
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 16:00 Grounds 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 10:00 - 16:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 15:30 Last entry to the site is one hour before closing. Last entry to the house is 45 minutes before closing. House closed 11 - 15 November.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £18.70 £17.00 Child £9.40 £8.50 Family £46.80 £42.50 One adult family £28.10 £25.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Shop
Car park
During the winter period our carpark has reduced capacity. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. We may have to intermittently close out entrance gates to avoid traffic on the main road. Bikes will not be allowed on site. If you are cycling to the property, you will need to leave your bike in the car park.
Tea-room
Dogs allowed
Dogs on leads in grounds.
Toilet
Plant shop
Our plant shop is outside the main shop. Please be advised that stock may vary due to seasons.
It's a 400-yard walk uphill to the house – a visitor buggy is available. House entrance is up 22 steps. Accessible toilets available. Uneven terrain on walking routes, which can become muddy. There's cattle in the parkland.
Accessible toilet
In stableyard.
Seating available
We have accessible picnic benches for visitors using wheelchairs and seating areas around the stable yard and formal garden.
Designated parking
Designated mobility parking, 20 yards from ticket office. 400 yards walk to the gardens and mansion.
Steps/uneven terrain
The entrance to the showrooms in the mansion is on the First Floor, an additional 22 steps from the Ground Floor on a stone staircase.
Level access/terrain
Transfer available
Visitor buggy from the stableyard to the mansion available. Please note the buggy depends on volunteer availability.
Ramped access/slopes
Partly accessible grounds, loose gravel paths, slopes, and cobbles. Steep hill from car park to gardens. There are uneven pathways throughout gardens and parkland as well as gravel pathways, steps and tree roots.
By road
We are 7 miles north-west of Reading, on the west side of A329. If you are driving, please leave the M4 at exit 12 and follow signs for Beale Park and Pangbourne, then signs to Basildon Park. Once you go through the main entrance gates, follow the path to the visitor car park where you are welcome to park.
Sat Nav: Use main entrance from A329
By train
Pangbourne train station 2½ miles; Goring train station 3 miles. If you are travelling by train you can get off at Pangbourne or Goring & Streatley station and get a taxi to Basildon Park (it is only about a 5 minute car journey from the station). It’s best to pre-book a taxi as there is no taxi rank at either station. For more information about how to find us please call 01491 672382. It is possible to walk to Basildon Park from Pangbourne station but please be advised that it is around a 40 minute walk along a main road.
By bus
You may be able to get the Going Foward Bus to Basildon Park on selected days. For more details visit the Going Foward Buses website: www.goingforwardbuses.com
By bicycle
Planning your visit
Upcoming events
Take a look at the events coming up at Basildon Park.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Basildon Park
Discover why Basildon Park is the ideal place for children play, discover nature and go on adventures in the school holidays.
Article
Visiting Basildon Park with your dog
Basildon Park is a two pawprint rated place. There’s plenty of space to walk and trails to explore. Dogs are welcome on leads in the garden and parkland year-round.
Highlights
House
An 18th-century Palladian-style mansion, restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe after being requisitioned in the World Wars.
Parkland
A 400-acre park with four waymarked walks, World War Two Nissen Hut remains, historic trees and views of the house.
Formal garden
Formal garden designed in the mid-18th century by David Brandon, featuring Lady Iliffe's rose garden and the restored terrace balustrade.
Eating
Main tea-room in lower entrance hall of the house is open daily.
Shop and second-hand bookshop
The shop is in the stableyard and also contains a second-hand bookshop and reading nook.
Visitor centre
Visitor Reception is located in the historic stableyard, with staff and volunteers on hand to help with any queries.
Children's play area
The wild play area for little ones is next to the stableyard, with more den building areas out on the estate.
Things to see and do
Article
The house at Basildon Park
Discover the opulent styling and artistic treasures that make the house at Basildon Park a signature 18th-century Palladian mansion, including some quirky details.
Article
The garden at Basildon Park
Discover the beautifully laid out, restored grounds that surround the house at Basildon Park. Take in the views from the terrace and pause awhile under the thatched Umbrello seat.
Article
The parkland at Basildon Park
Explore the wider estate on a parkland walk. Choose from one of four trails that are designed for different ages and abilities. Take in the views of the 18th-century Bath-stone house as it glows in the distance.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Basildon Park
Discover why Basildon Park is the ideal place for children play, discover nature and go on adventures in the school holidays.
Top trails
Trail
The meadows and woodlands of Streatley
Discover beautiful views on this three mile circular walk around the meadows and woodlands that form the backdrop to the village of Streatley.
Trail
West Berkshire countryside walk
Enjoy a 7-mile circular walk around rural West Berkshire, near Streatley, taking in a variety of landscapes, wildflowers and butterflies.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Basildon Park
Enjoy food and drink and buy a reminder of your day out on your visit to Basildon Park. Pick up a tasty treat in the tea-room or grab a gardening must-have in the shop.
Upcoming events
Event
Visions Unreel: Exploring Basildon Park’s Film and TV Highlights
Basildon Park has a long association with TV and film as one of the National Trust’s most popular filming locations. Come and explore our Visions Unreel exhibition as we showcase the films Basildon Park has played a role in.
Event
Christmas at Basildon Park, 16 November to 5 January
Experience the enchantment of the season at Basildon Park as it pays tribute to timeless Christmas films.
Event
Guided woodland walks at Basildon Park
Embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting woodlands and sprawling estate of Basildon Park with our volunteer-led estate walk.
Event
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Basildon Park
Get yourself in the festive spirit by creating your own wreath for Christmas!
Event
Christmas lunch at Basildon Park
Join us for a two or three course Christmas lunch this festive season at Basildon Park.
Event
Christmas children's trail at Basildon Park from 1st December
Visit Basildon Park during the festive season and take part in a children's trail around the gardens.
About Basildon Park
Sitting elegantly in 162 hectares (400 acres) of historic parkland and gardens, this 18th-century house was purchased by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s, when it was de-requisitioned after the Second World War. With extraordinary vision, the Iliffes brought Basildon Park back to life, acquiring a collection of fine furnishings and carefully selected Old Masters.
The wooded parkland offers glorious seasonal colour, with spring bluebells, summer buttercups and autumn leaves, while the landscape has been carefully restored to offer wonderful views, peaceful trails and picnic places, with areas for children to run and play. Winter walks are a must.
History
Article
The history of Basildon Park
Follow the rise and fall of Basildon Park from aspirational 18th-century beginnings to its decline after the Second World War and how its fortunes recovered in the 1950s.
Latest news
Article
Bridgerton filming locations
Discover which places were used as filming locations for the three series of Netflix's lavish Regency-era drama Bridgerton and the spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Art and collections
Basildon Park's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Basildon Park on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
Article
Our work at Basildon Park
Discover some of the behind-the-scenes work at Basildon Park, from cleaning with hog’s hair to restoring exotic collection items.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Basildon Park
Find out about volunteering at Basildon Park. With opportunities inside and out, there’s a range of roles at this special place.