I received an invitation from the National Trust to visit Basildon Park for a drinks reception and a tour of the interior. I had been there once many years ago and looked forward to this visit. So Edwina Cooper and I drove down there arriving at 7 p.m. to be met by Amanda Beard, the Property Manager of Basildon Park. Clutching a glass of mulled wine, we mingled with other guests and amongst them were Jo Stevenson-Hamilton and her husband. She is the principal organiser of Riding for the Disabled at Wyld Court, which we visited in October.
Basildon Park is an 18th century Palladian mansion, built in 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes and sold on to James Morrison MP in 1838. It was later left empty in the early 1900s and was used as a convalescent home for the Berkshire Regiment during the 1914-1918 war. Eventually it was bought in 1952 by Lord and Lady Iliffe who spent much time and money in restoring it. It has extensive grounds overlooking the river Thames and was the setting for a production of Pride and Prejudice in 2005. On our tour, it was obvious that it must have been a splendid house with lavish furniture, textiles and tapestries It has a glorious staircase and the first landing had a tall Christmas tree decorated in the old style. There was some excellent ornate plasterwork which was apparently the original.
The tour was not long as the house is not that large but it is very comfortable and homely. We enjoyed the tour but I would have liked to have walked around the grounds but darkness prevented that. We shall return at some time.
Basildon Park is an 18th century Palladian mansion, built in 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes and sold on to James Morrison MP in 1838. It was later left empty in the early 1900s and was used as a convalescent home for the Berkshire Regiment during the 1914-1918 war. Eventually it was bought in 1952 by Lord and Lady Iliffe who spent much time and money in restoring it. It has extensive grounds overlooking the river Thames and was the setting for a production of Pride and Prejudice in 2005. On our tour, it was obvious that it must have been a splendid house with lavish furniture, textiles and tapestries It has a glorious staircase and the first landing had a tall Christmas tree decorated in the old style. There was some excellent ornate plasterwork which was apparently the original.
The tour was not long as the house is not that large but it is very comfortable and homely. We enjoyed the tour but I would have liked to have walked around the grounds but darkness prevented that. We shall return at some time.
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