Basildon Park Reviews Summary

Accessibility

Pros:

• "There is a golf cart transport service if you find the slope up through the beautifully lit wooded path tricky to navigate."
• "Wheelchair access was good with a free transport to the house for those who need help."
• "Step free access to the facilities."
• "Plenty of parking available, as well as overflow car parks too."
• "Staff are all friendly and helpful."
• "We were met in the carpark by friendly staff who directed us to a parking spot."
• "Parking is near and effective."

Cons:

• "Getting there would be a struggle if you were handicapped as it is very hilly."
• "The house is possibly not ideal for those with mobility issues as there are more rooms upstairs than down."
• "It does not appear to be too accessible for wheelchair users as the entrance is on the first floor up a flight of stairs."
• "Limited wheel chair accessibility to get to the house."
• "This is a beautiful trip out although it isn't very accessible for wheelchairs."
• "No access at the house for wheelchairs/pushchairs on the first floor."
• "Parking is fairly restricted, we had to queue to get in."

Cafe and Food Services

Pros:

• "The café serves great food."
• "Busy but pleasant cafe, no problem getting a table."
• "Tearooms had a pleasant courtyard and ample undercover seating if required."
• "Nice tea Room, good facilities."
• "The cafeteria serves decent food at a modest price."
• "The Cafe is on the ground floor and the food is quite good too!"
• "Also had lunch at the cafe, jacket potatoes, cake and hot drinks. All very tasty."

Cons:

• "Huge queues for the tea shop/cafe."
• "One recommendation is to get additional support in the coffee shop. The queues and wait are too long."
• "The cafe inside Basildon house is small and gets really busy at lunch time so show up early."
• "Coffee shop, used to be two but now only one means long queues but plenty of seating inside."
• "The real disappointment is the tea room: the staff is extremely slow."
• "Chaos in the eating areas,and not much food on offer."
• "The long queue for the cafe is the only minus point."

House and Grounds

Pros:

• "Such a beautiful place to visit, and the gardens are stunning at this time of year."
• "The garden is also nice and worth visiting."
• "The grounds are extensive for walking and the history of the house is really interesting."
• "The house is beautiful and lots of information about its history is available in every room."
• "The house is amazingly well preserved and the volunteer staff provide a terrific history."
• "A lovely house with super friendly, knowledgeable volunteers."
• "The house itself was interesting inside, very helpful and friendly volunteers to provide information about the rooms etc."

Cons:

• "Historical information about the house was not forthcoming."
• "On a dull day the exterior of the house was a little austere."
• "But other than this, there is little to do for the little ones."
• "The formal gardens are a little small (and closed off due to the season)."
• "It's a shame that the kids wild trail is now in disrepair presumed vandalised by inconsiderate visitors."
• "Only negative the upstairs closed due to lack of volunteers."
• "Unfortunately, due to the pandemic it meant that I couldn't go inside it."

Staff and Volunteers

Pros:

• "Guides are very knowledgeable and friendly."
• "Staff were very friendly and accommodating."
• "The volunteers were so knowledgeable. Some were even quite humorous."
• "Staff throughout the house... were very knowledgeable and had some of the most obscure facts I have ever heard."
• "Excellent guides in the house described the history and development of the house."
• "The volunteers are friendly and happy to discuss the rooms and general history of the house."
• "Very friendly, knowledgeable NT guides in most rooms to tell you about the property and furnishings."

Cons:

• "The staff in the house were VERY chatty, I don’t mind usually but it took much too long to actually get to look around because they were talking for so long."
• "Unfortunately the upstairs rooms weren't open as there were not enough volunteers."
• "They do have staffing issues and the upper floor was closed as a result when I visited."
• "Very knowledgeable and helpful volunteers, the property needs so many people to make it tick over."
• "Sadly the house was closed for deep cleaning."
• "Ticket office woman not so much, apart from taking our money for tickets."
• "This was our 2nd visit and we where hoping to see the upstairs but again it was closed off."