Autumn at Basildon Park | As autumn begins, the Parkland and gardens at Basildon Park transform into a riot of oranges, reds and hues of yellow as the leaves change. With a wide variety of tree species at Basildon Park, there’s much to be seen, and enjoyed, during a walk this autumn.
Upper Basildon
Upper Basildon is a sizeable village with a recreation ground, public tennis courts and village hall which regularly hosts various community clubs and activities such as a playgroup, dance classes, charity events, and a wonderful monthly farmers market.
Within the village there is also a primary school and preschool, and it also boasts the excellent Red Lion public house.
The Thameside village of Pangbourne is just three miles away and provides an excellent range of local shops and services, including an award-winning butcher and specialist cheese shop and delicatessen.
There is also a main line rail link to London Paddington within the hour.
The more comprehensive amenities of Reading are approximately nine miles away.
The area offers a good selection of independent schools including Pangbourne College, Oratory Prep, St. Andrew’s, Bradfield College, The Oratory, Hemdean House, Queen Anne’s, Caversham Prep and The Abbey.
Lower Basildon
Situated in scenic countryside designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”, the small village of Lower Basildon lies close to the River Thames approximately midway between Pangbourne and Streatley on Thames at the foot of the Berkshire Downlands overlooking the Thames Valley and across to the Chilterns on the Oxfordshire side of the river.
Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) services have commenced from Reading, which together with the completed electrification of the line has significantly improved travelling times to East and West destinations.
Across the river, the larger village of Goring-on-Thames offers a wide range of amenities and facilities including shops, modern health centre, traditional inns, a hotel, library, dentist and importantly a main line railway station providing excellent commuter services to Oxford, Reading and up to London (Paddington).
There is also easy access for the major local towns, including Oxford, Reading and Newbury, the M40 and M4 motorways, the latter linking directly to Heathrow.
On the edge of Lower Basildon stands the historic Basildon House a grand Palladian Mansion , now owned by the National Trust and open to the public as is Beale Park, which extends along the banks of the river where can be seen many exotic varieties of animals and birds as well as a miniature railway.
Near the river off Church Lane is the historic 13th century Parish Church of St Bartholomew.
Village Hall
There is village hall, with a large car park adjacent to the hall, and an enclosed toddler play area in addition to the recreation ground and tennis courts. Regular activities include a baby and toddler group, yoga, Monkey Music, Mini Professors, ballet and street dance, folk dancing, spanish lessons, amateur dramatics, table tennis and horticultural talks and shows. There is a friendly and family oriented traditional Scout Group that caters for boys and girls from six years old up to adults in the Oxfordshire and Berkshire area. A friendly amateur dramatics group based in Upper Basildon and fun football for kids at the recreation ground every Saturday from 9am. Chatterbox is a new, small group of ladies meeting in the church centre once a month for a cup of tea, and piece of cake and a chat.
There is a drama club for 6-8 year olds focusing on putting the fun into drama. Small groups allow every child, outgoing or shy, to shine and build confidence and dance lessons for children of all ages held weekly at Basildon Village Hall. Classes at Monkey Music are specifically tailored in 4 stages and we have Ding Dong for 3+4 year olds, Jiggety Jig for 2+3 year olds, Heigh Ho from 12 months and Rock ‘n’ Roll for babies from 3 months.
There is also Pilates classes on Monday mornings, a Shooting School, table tennis, tennis countryside society, yoga and Zumba.
Food & Drink
The local pub is the Red Lion.
Health
The local doctors surgery is the boathouse surgery and Chapel Row Surgery.
Transport
There is the 42 and 143
School
There is the Basildon. C of. E primary school.
Church
The Churches are St Peter's and St Bartholomew's.
Parish Council
There is a parish council.
Basildon is a Thames-side Parish in the Royal County of Berkshire, lying between Pangbourne to the south and Streatley to the north and some 8 miles west of Reading. It has a population of 1600 and comprises some 3,500 acres.
Nowadays it is best known for Basildon Park, a National Trust property, built by John Carr of York between 1777-1783 for Sir Francis Sykes, one of the East India nabobs. It has a history, often turbulent, that has been recorded back to Neolithic times. It was settled by the Romans and then became a royal Saxon Manor, suffering from Mercian and Viking attacks. It was sacked by Sweyn of Denmark in 1006 and was then sacked again by the Norman army, when they crossed the Thames at Streatley on their march to take London. The Domesday Book records the extent of the devastation. Read more-
Local Info
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The Red Lion is a traditional 18th Century Public House in the heart of West Berkshire. A good selection of cask ales, fine wines and spirits and home-cooked food.
Winter Walks at Basildon Park | Winter at Basildon Park is a beautiful time of the year, and the perfect place for a refreshing winter walk.
