Basildon Park

Basildon Park is a Georgian country house in Lower Basildon, England. The building displays a symmetrical exterior with two wings and inside features tall reception rooms plus a sweeping staircase across four stories.

Sir Francis Sykes commissioned the estate between 1776 and 1783, a time when neoclassical style was fashionable in England. During World War I it served as a hospital, before becoming a military base in World War II.

The name comes from the surrounding settlement, itself derived from an Old English word. Visitors find furniture and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries inside, making it feel like a lived-in residence.

The estate includes four marked walking trails through woodland and gardens that show different flowers depending on the season. A visitor center with refreshments is available, and most areas are accessible for wheelchair users.

After decades of decay, Lord and Lady Iliffe bought the property in the 1950s and refurnished every room with authentic 18th- and 19th-century pieces. Today the house looks as if it was never abandoned.

Location: Basildon

Inception: 1770s

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Operator: National Trust

Part of: National Trust

Address: Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 9NR

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park

GPS coordinates: 51.49917,-1.12139

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:23