Bus, buggy and Basildon

No, we have not suddenly jumped vast swathes of England to Essex. However, before we move tomorrow, we did go on a trip today from our mooring on the River Thames above Goring Lock.

We caught a bus from the stop on the Goring side of the Bridge, just by Goring Mill

Goring Mill

Goring Mill (C18 with C19 alterations)

So where were we going?

Basildon - that's where. Basildon Park and House to be precise. The grand house was built between 1776 and 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes who made his fortune working for the East India Trading Company. It had a role in a famous film - Pride and Prejudice (Author Jane Austen) with Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen and has been used in adverts and other TV productions.

Basildon House pan

Basildon House pan

The architect was John Carr of York and the house is one of his masterpieces. I agree - it is magnificent.

Back of house

Back of main house

Sadly decline soon set in and Basildon Estate was sold by Sykes' grandson to James Morrison MP in 1838.

Entrance Gate

Entrance gate and lodges

A successful London haberdasher and Liberal MP had money enough to hire architect J. B. Papworth too redecorate some of the interior, design a new stableyard and embellish the lodges at the main gate. After a walk up the drive I was glad to see that there was a means of transport up the hill to the House!

buggy

Buggy for transport up to the House from stableyard

Apart from requisition by the army in both wars, the house stood empty between 1910 and 1952, its contents and fittings dispersed. When it was found by Lord and Lady Iliffe it was almost in a state of dereliction.

Garden Room

Painted Garden Room

The House became their project and it was restored back to its C18 glory. They scoured the country for appropriate fixtures and fittings. There are collections of important C18 and C19 paintings and antiques.

Octagon Room

Octagon Room

Lady Iliffe was an accomplished needlewoman and made curtains, bed coverings and even rugs to add to their comfortable home. They lived there for 25 years before gifting it to the National Trust.  Lady Iliffe insisted it was to be like a home for the NT visitors and was very involved in creating the house as it is now.

Dining Room

Dining Room laid for a dinner party

Crimson Bedroom

Crimson Bedroom for guests and Lady Iliffe's rug

parkland view

Parkland from first floor balcony

For a comprehensive "tour" have a look at our photo album.

Add comment

We do not post anonymous comments or blatant advertising - so don't waste your time!


Security code
Refresh

Blog Calendar

  • 2012 (152)
  • 2011 (387)
  • 2010 (376)
  • 2009 (453)
  • 2008 (116)
  • Click above for a map

    Visitors

    634507
    TodayToday1416
    YesterdayYesterday1714
    This weekThis week1416
    This monthThis month31626
    Copyright © 2012 Narrowboat Epiphany: cruising the UK's inland waterways: rivers and canals. All Rights Reserved.
    Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.