Although we have been to Basildon Park before I haven’t written a review until now because our last visit was pre-blog! Basildon Park is nowhere near Basildon BTW. Technically it’s just outside my four counties area, but it’s only just over the border in Berkshire so I think you’ll forgive me. It’s a National Trust property and so we visited for free because we’re members! Top tip for this place if you have kids – bring a ball! You’ll see why.
The gardens
You start off walking through a lovely little woodland area to get to the beginning of the walks and to the house itself. There’s a little play area right at the start of the path which includes a couple of ball runs. The first time we visited Basildon Park (back in 2015 I think) they were doing The Great Ball Run. I think it was so popular they decided to keep some of them and they became a permanent feature!
Bear in mind that the photos for this review of Basildon Park were taken in the middle of December so everything looks a bit muddy and grim! We’ve been in the summer too and it does look lovely then! In the winter (not just at Christmas) the footpath up to the house is lit up with fairy lights. There’s even an area to sit and take your photo which is beautiful.
The “back” garden of the house is relatively small. When I say relatively small I don’t mean it’s actually small, just that it’s dinky as stately homes go. There’s a thatched umbrella which is pretty cool and lots of space for the kids to explore. It’s quite nice and relaxed here really.
Inside the house at Basildon Park
The house itself is also comparatively small but it was nearly completely lost. Basildon Park was requisitioned during the war and was used by the American 101st Airbourne Division (of Band of Brothers fame) as a training base. After that it was also used as a PoW camp. Those two activities combined nearly trashed the place. However in the 1950’s a VERY rich couple brought it and started to restore it to it’s former glory. They lived there for 25 years before moving into a side wing and giving it to the National Trust.
You’ll find some quite eclectic settings inside the house! There’s all the grand furniture you’d expect but also a pink bedroom that wouldn’t look out of place in my nan’s house, just with more expensive furniture! Then there’s the shell room. This is, as the name suggests, a room with lots of shells on display. But also decorating all of the walls as well. It’s crazy.
There’s a real old meets new thing going on here. You can see how they tried to make an old house liveable for 1950’s life which is really interesting.
Side note – access to the house is via 22 unavoidable steps. You have to leave pushchairs unattended at the bottom, although they are undercover.
Basildon Park at Christmas
I like visiting National Trust properties at Christmas. They’re just beautiful. All the magnificent trees and epic decorations. My review of Basildon Park was when the house was decorated for Christmas and I think it might actually be one of my favourites! There’s no additional charge to look around the house (take note Waddesdon!!!). Only the downstairs rooms are decorated but they’re beautiful. Quite frankly this room is Christmas decoration goals!!! I want to live here and I want to open all of my presents next to this tree every year!!!
A beautiful love story
I do like to do a bit of research on places like Basildon Park before writing my review, just in case there’s something interesting I’ve missed on my visit. Turns out there is! I mentioned that the Americans were here during the war, well they used to have balls and invite local girls to come and dance. Inevitably a soldier (Bill) and a farmer’s daughter (Alice) fell in love and were going to marry, but tragically he died on the beaches at Normandy. When the National Trust opened the house she was one of the first to volunteer and continued to do so until her death. Alice’s final wish was for her ashes to be scattered underneath the copper beech right in front of the house so she could be close to him, which the National Trust granted. How beautiful is that!!!!
Parkland and the mythical wild play trail
The parkland at Basildon Park is HUGE and really great for rambling around. Even though I’ve been here twice before we hadn’t actually explored any of it until this visit. I’m not sure why – too focused on the house and gardens I think. It’s hilly, but not excessively steep. It does get muddy when it’s wet (obviously) and there is cattle in the fields so watch your step. There are four waymarked paths that you can find here.
When we were visiting Basildon Park today we were actually there to do a seasonal trail which covered part of the green route, but not all of it. I was also looking for the wild play trail which was built in late 2018 / early 2019. I asked a man at reception about it and he said he’d been working there since 2020 and had no idea what I was talking about! Not a great start. Anyway, it looks like parts of it remain, but some of it has gone. By and large it follows the green route so I’d just use that one.
We did find several elements of the wild play trail. There used to be 20 stations but I’m not sure how many are left now. One of the favourites was of course the two extra ball runs that are hidden near the den play area which you can see on some maps. If you look on a walking trails map it’s where there’s a horseshoe shaped bend. I don’t know why it’s gone but it seems like a real shame if it has because I LOVE a good wild play trail. Sorry, I mean the kids love it. I’m a grown up. I don’t play on things like that. Obviously.
Our Basildon Park Review
I really like Basildon Park and should probably come here more often than I have. It’s got a nice relaxed feel. That’s probably because it’s not too old and stuffy. In my mind the whole place is set up for families to explore and spend time outdoors. That’s not to say adults can’t enjoy themselves too. It’s not just about kids running riot! Although there’s lots of space in a weird way the site is also relatively compact. When the kids decide they’ve had enough, it doesn’t take too long to get back to the car park no matter where you are.
Admission cost
Family ticket – £37.50. National Trust members go free. Family membership starts at just £10.50 per month. Find out more about joining on their website (affiliate link)
Parking / How to get there
Parking – on-site, free
Address – Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NR
Toilets
On-site, including baby change
Food
Cafe at the house. Picnics allowed.
What else is there to do nearby?
For all of my National Trust reviews have a look at the NT/English Heritage section of the website here
Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
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