Basing House
Basing House in Old Basing is one of Hampshire’s most dramatic historic sites, a place where medieval grandeur and Civil War destruction collide. Once the magnificent Tudor palace of the powerful Paulet family, it was among the largest private houses in England, boasting lavish halls, ornate chambers and extensive gardens. Its fame, however, comes from its fall: during the English Civil War, Basing House endured a brutal two‑year siege before being stormed and destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1645. Contemporary accounts describe flames visible for miles. Today, visitors can explore the extensive earthworks, gatehouse ruins and surviving brickwork that outline the palace’s vast scale. The Great Barn, remarkably intact, offers a striking contrast to the shattered palace and contains displays on the site’s history, archaeology and the dramatic final assault. Walking the grounds reveals the remains of the Norman motte, showing how the site evolved from a medieval fortress into a Tudor showpiece. Interpretive panels and reconstructed features help you imagine the opulence that once stood here—grand staircases, richly decorated rooms and sweeping courtyards. With its mix of peaceful countryside and powerful historical echoes, Basing House offers a compelling journey through centuries of ambition, conflict and resilience.
Basingstoke United Kingdom
Basing House sits in the pretty village of Old Basing, just about a mile east of Basingstoke town centre in north Hampshire. It is easy to find and feels very English countryside, with the River Loddon running close by. The main visitor address is Basing House, Bartons Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8AE. Parking is signposted from Redbridge Lane, Old Basing, RG24 7HB, right next to the Great Barn and the entrance. What you are looking at is the ruin of what was once the largest private house in Tudor England, a real rival to Hampton Court Palace. Built for William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester, it was later destroyed in the Civil War and today you can walk the earthworks, the old cellars, the walled Jacobean garden and the small museum on site. Around it there is plenty to make a day of it. In Basingstoke itself you have Milestones Museum, a fun living-history museum set in a recreated Victorian street, and the Willis Museum right in the town centre. If you love castles and stately homes, Highclere Castle, famous as Downton Abbey, is only a short drive away, as is Stratfield Saye House, the country home of the Duke of Wellington. Odiham Castle, a lovely ruined 13th century castle by the Basingstoke Canal, is also nearby.
Museum