Historic Houses

NT Basildon Park

Lower Basildon
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 9NR
Tel: 0118 984 3040
Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

This beautiful Palladian mansion was built in 1776-83. The interior is notable for its original delicate plasterwork and elegant staircase, as well as the unusual Octagon Room. The house fell on hard times early in the last century but was rescued and restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe, who filled it with fine pictures and furniture. The early-19thC pleasure gardens are currently being restored and there are way-marked trails through the parkland. The property is owned by The National Trust.

NT The Vyne

Vyne Road
Sherborne St John
Hampshire
RG24 9HL
Tel: 0125 688 3858
Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main

Originally built as the great Tudor 'power house', The Vyne was visited by King Henry VIII on at least three occasions and was home to the Chute family for over 350 years. Dramatic improvements and changes have made The Vyne a fascinating microcosm of changing fads and fashion over 5 centuries. The house is filled with a vast indigenous collection of furniture, paintings, ornaments and objets d'art. The attractive gardens and grounds feature an ornamental lake, one of the earliest summer houses in England and woodland walks. A newly developed wetlands area with new bird hide attracts a wide diversity of wildlife.

NT Cliveden

Taplow
Berkshire
SL6 0JF
Tel: 0162 866 8561
Web: http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/

This spectacular estate overlooking the River Thames has a series of gardens, each with its own character, featuring topiary, statuary, water gardens, a formal parterre and woodland and riverside walks with magnificent vistas. The present house, the 3rd on the site, was built in 1851 by Charles Barry. Once the home of Nancy, Lady Astor, it is now let as an hotel and is only open on certain days.

Stonor Park

Stonor
Henley on Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 6HF
Tel: 01491 63 8587

Family home of Lord and Lady Camoys and the Stonor family for over 800 years with a 13thC chapel with earlier origins, built on the site of a pagan stone circle. The house was built in the late C12th and developed until the mid 18thC. It contains many family portraits, notable paintings and drawings, bronzes, sculptures and tapestries. A sanctuary for St Edmund Campion in 1581, an exhibition features his life. Tranquil hillside gardens.

Mapledurham House

Mapledurham
nr Reading
Tel: 0118 972 3350
Web: http://www.mapledurham.co.uk/

Set in tranquil surroundings alongside the River Thames, this late-16thC Elizabethan house is still the home of the descendants of the Blount family. Built by Sir Michael Blount whilst Lieutenant of the Tower of London, the house contains a collection of paintings and family portraits, oak staircases, original plaster ceilings and a private chapel in Strawberry Hill Gothick added in 1797. Mapledurham has literary connections with Alexander Pope, Kenneth Graham and John Galsworthy. More recently it was the setting for the film 'The Eagle Has Landed'.

Nuffield Place

Nettlebed
Henley-on-Thames
RG9 5RY
Tel: 0149 164 1224
http://www.Nuffield.place@nuffield.oxford.ac.uk 
 

The home from 1933-63 of Lord Nuffield, founder of Morris Motors. Built in 1914, it was enlarged in 1933 for Lord Nuffield. It retains the majority of the furniture and contents acquired by Lord and Lady Nuffield when they took up residence, as well as having several rooms still decorated in the 1930s' style. The garden extends to 4 acres with mature trees. There are recordings of Lord Nuffield's voice and some of his '30s' music. Classic and veteran cars are often on display. The property is set high in the Chilterns, in beautiful wooded surroundings.

Stratfield Saye House 

Stratfield Saye
Reading
RG7 2BZ
Tel: 0125 688 2882
Web: http://www.stratfield-saye.co.uk/

Family home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817. The house contains many personal possessions and momentoes of this famous soldier/statesman. The Wellington exhibition contains the 18-ton funeral carriage made from cannons captured at the Battle of Waterloo and used at the 1st Duke's funeral in 1852.