Basildon Park

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The Georgian mansion, set in the glorious parkland near Reading, was remarkably rescued from ruin by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s, and the manor house and parkland are managed by the National Trust. Recently, the property was used for the film setting of Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice in 2003.

The manor house was resided in by Francis Syke and James Morrison between 18th and 19th century, and the house was refurbished and enlarged by them. Lord and Lady Iliffe discovered the 18th and 19th century furniture and art collection when they arrived. After restoring the historic rooms, they filled their comfortable new home with fine paintings, fabrics, and furniture, which are on display in the showrooms.

The tour of the manor house starts from the hall. The first show room is the Sutherland Room, which Lord & Lady Iliffe used as a Drawing Room when they arrived in Basildon Park. You will find the tapestry representing “Christ in Glory”, which used to belong to Coventry Cathedral.

There is a portrait of Lord & Lady Iliffe displayed in the Library. After looking round the Sutherland Room and Library, go to the Octagonal Room. There are a number of excellent biblical paintings, e.g. “God the Father” or “Seven of the Apostles”. The room was used for the film scene, and there are sofas and armchairs which were used by the protagonists.

The next showroom, the Dining Room has a series of allegorical ceiling paintings of Dante’s Divine Comedy and is furnished with the 18th century furniture.

There are a couple of rooms upstairs, all of which were used as bedrooms. You will see the bed made of bamboos, dolls of oriental monks, the picture of East India Company, the 1790s bed with green columns and golden roof, and curtains falling from the golden roof, and the cupboard laden with loads of shells and stones amassed by the mother of Lady Iliffe.

In addition to restoring the house, Lord and Lady Iliffe helped to restore the grounds of Basildon Park. You can enjoy strolling through the formal garden with old roses and statues and follow the waymarked trails through the historic parkland.

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