Basildon Manor

Our guests didn't let jet lag get to them and they were ready to go. We decided to go to Basildon Manor just outside of Pangbourne (near Reading). We arrived after a nice half-hour drive through the countryside.

Basildon is a country estate, built in the late eighteenth century of Bath stone with a late Palladian facade. It has been added onto several times and has passed through several hands until being donated to the National Trust in the 1950's. The recent film, Pride and Prejudice, was filmed here.

While every bit as elegant as many of the other houses we've seen, this one has a more comfortable and homey feel due to the fact that it was a family home until fairly recently. The library is particularly appealing with its long bookshelves, red walls, and overstuffed sofas and armchairs. Lady Iliffe, who was responsible for the restoration, loved red and used many shades of it to beautiful effect in several of the rooms. There were not many visitors there today and we had some nice conversations with the very knowledgeable docents.

We had lunch at the Swan, which is a pub built in 1642. We sat outside on the deck overlooking the Thames. This group has decided that dessert of sticky toffee pudding is mandatory at each meal and must be rated as to quality against all others. Lunch today was the third test.

We drove home and relaxed for a while, then went to The White Hart for dinner (and sticky toffee pudding). A walk through Crockers End completed the day.