Firstly, before I get started, I must warn you: this is a picture heavy blog post!
Secondly, I know this post is unusually late for me, but my only excuses is that I was too busy watching the last season of Downton Abbey yesterday...
And then thirdly: let's get started.
On the 2nd of April, I went to Basildon Park with a friend. The name of the great country estate might not ring a bell, but Netherfield Park might. That is correct. Basildon Park was the set for Netherfield in the movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in 2005 and again in the most recent adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Even more interesting, is that the interior of Basildon Park also served as the interior set of the London house of the Crawley family in Downton Abbey. Why on earth haven't I visited that house earlier!?
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| One of my favourite scene, ever, was filmed there! |
Once we'd arrived at the park and the entrance to the grounds, I said to my friend that I was surprised with myself that I wasn't a member the National Trust yet. After all, I've been living in London for 2 years and I have visited a few houses/museums/gardens that are part of the National Trust.
Upon entering the little shop to buy our entrance tickets, a lady asked us if we were members of the National Trust. No, we freaking weren't! The lady mentioned a reduced price to anyone under 26 (hurray) and it was basically a no brainer for me. I signed up! As did my friend. So I gather that my friend and I will do some more exploring in the near future ^^ 15min later, we both were in possession of the National Trust handbook, entrance to the house was 'free' (included in our new membership) and off we went.
The first view on the house was just stunning.
Soon all the movie/ series connections were made. Outside and inside the house. It's easier to see for yourself...
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| Bingley waving goodbye to the Bennet family (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005) |
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| Bennet family on their way home after Netherfield ball (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005) |
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| Lady Grantham (Downton Abbey, the London Season -- 2013) |
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| Evidence for mr Bates (Downton Abbey, the London Season -- 2013) |
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| Breakfast at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005) and Ball at the London house (Downton Abbey, the London Season -- 2013) |
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| Bennet sisters (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -- 2016) |
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| Goodbye between mr Darcy and Lizzy (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -- 2016) and a ball at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005) |
The house itself has a rich history, but if you're interested in that I suggest you read Wikipedia or the website of the estate. My main interest were the film locations. Did I mention that nearly every scene at Netherfield in Pride and Prejudice was filmed there? And the London Season of Downton Abbey as well!? In every other room there was a book with pictures of the scenes that were shot there. Hurray for people who understand what some people are interested in x)
FYI here is behind the scene of Pride and Prejudice (2005)
What I did pick up during that grand tour of the house was that Lord and Lady Iliffe who bought and restored the house, did an amazing job in preserving the true character of the house. It is now in hands of the National Trust. It reminded me greatly of Beatrix Potter, who bought 4,000 acres of land, 16 farms and cottages in the Lake District to preserve the community and protect it against industrialisation. After her death, she gave all her land to the British people and left it in the hands of the National Trust. So very moving.
The house tour lasted for about an hour, an hour and half tops, so after that we decided to walk one of the various tours around the grounds. The 1.5mile seemed like an appropriate distance and was estimated on 1h30min walk. Well, I guess those calculations were based on either very small children or very slow walkers. My friend and I walked the entire tour in less than an hour... Beautiful walk, but a bit short... Nothing else to do but to drink a cream tea ;)
Before we knew it, it was 4pm, the house was closed and soon the park would be too. Around 4.30pm we started walking towards Pangbourne station to catch the 5.47pm train. By 7.15pm we were in back in London.
About a year ago, when I first discovered Downton Abbey, I did some research and I quickly found out that the interior of the London house in Downton Abbey was the same as the interior of Netherfield Park. I saw a floor plan with the Octagon drawing room, library, dining room, etc. I just never put two and two together to consider actually visiting the house... The Octagon drawing room! The very room where Miss Bingley tries to impress mr Darcy, where Lord Grantham, lady Mary and lady Rose come up with a scheme to distract Simpson so they can retrive a letter... I guess you need to be familiar with the movie and/or tv series to know what I'm talking about :s
I sure glad I did pay a visit in the end! I'd say the house is well worth it. After my visit, of course, I did watch Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey again just so I could point out all the rooms that I've actually visited. Just so cool x)
Anyway, I'll leave this as final picture x)
Please let me know if you know any other film locations that I might be able to visit! Suggestions are always welcome!
Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara
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