Basildon Park

About

Basildon Park is a Bath-stone Palladian mansion of the 1770s built for Sir Francis Sykes. Requisitioned in both world wars and left near-derelict, it was bought in the 1950s by Lord and Lady Iliffe, who filled it with Old Masters and fine furniture. The rooms still feel like the Iliffes' mid-century home, and the Shell Room, with its shell-encrusted cupboards, is the one reviewers tell each other not to miss; the house has appeared in Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. Outside are Lady Iliffe's rose garden, the thatched Umbrello seat and 400 acres of parkland with four waymarked walks past spring bluebells. Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds but not the house. Reviewers praise the tea-room and the stableyard bookshop. Tips from visitors: it is a 400-yard uphill walk to the house and 22 steps up to the show rooms, though a buggy runs when available, and the car park shrinks in winter, so arrive early.

House & GardenWalking routesDog friendlyBadges collectable

Check today’s timesSee all times

House11:00 – 17:00
Grounds10:00 – 17:00
Shop10:00 – 17:00
Tea-room10:00 – 16:30

PricingFree with National Trust membershipNT memberFree entryNon-member£20

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult (18+)£20.00

Child (5-17)£10.00

Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children)£50.00

Family (One Adult)£30.00

ParkingFree for members

Free for members

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Walking routes4 routes

Pheasant walk at Basildon Park

Walkmoderate

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Nearby

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7.3 mi

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The Vyne

13.4 mi

Sandham Memorial Chapel

14.1 mi

Woodland walk at Basildon Park

WalkmoderateNot suitable for dogs2.4 km40m

1.5 miles (2.4km), graded moderate, about 40 minutes over seven stages. Starts a little way up the road walking away from the mansion house, through the gate at What3Words ///faces.grazes.fluffed into the Pheasant park field, then across the field and causeway into the woodland, with a short stretch along the road. Admission and parking conditions are not stated on the trail page.

Checked 2026-09-11

Hidden Valley walk at Basildon Park

Walkmoderate4 km1hr30

2.5 miles (4km), graded moderate, about 90 minutes over nine stages. All routes start on the drive at the front of the mansion house at the T-junction back towards the car park, where the purple route is signposted; the walk enters the Pheasant park field through the gate at What3Words ///faces.grazes.fluffed. Admission and parking conditions are not stated on the trail page.

Checked 2026-09-11

Boundary walk at Basildon Park

WalkmoderateNot suitable for dogs4.8 km2hr

3 miles (4.8km), graded moderate, about 2 hours over ten stages. Starts just up the road heading away from the mansion house, through the gate at What3Words ///faces.grazes.fluffed into the Pheasant park field, over the causeway and on through the trees. Admission and parking conditions are not stated on the trail page.

Checked 2026-09-11