Introduction
Basing Park has late-18th to early-20th century parkland and renowned gardens, with tree-lined approach drives from the lodges to the mansion. Features include fine specimen trees and shrubs in the gardens and park.
In 1962, when the Langleys bought the estate, the gardens were overgrown, the Mansion was in a very poor state and was demolished a couple of years later. In 1968, a smaller, though substantial house, was built on the same site. In the 1970s, the gardens were re-designed by Other Nicholson, a relative of the earlier Nicholsons, and the plan was executed by the Head Gardener from Exbury Gardens, Mr Winyard.
The avenue of trees to the old station at Privett remain, as do the lodges. The Pinetum now has four dwellings, with a good covering of trees, and the farm and outbuildings have been converted into dwellings. The parkland north of the house is farmed. The gardens and parkland between the minor road, Hempland Lane, to Privett give a fine view from the house with a ha-ha separating the gardens from the park. However many of the trees, which were planted during the 19th century, are nearing the end of their life cycle, and a number fall after storms. Replanting is being carried out. The northern approach drive from the Mansion to the Gosport Road has been abandoned, while the southern route to the Petersfield Road is now a footpath.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Directions
Basing Park is approximately seven miles from Alton and a similar distance from Petersfield.
- History
Basing Park is approximately seven miles from Alton and a similar distance from Petersfield. The house and gardens were situated at the southern end of the Park on sloping ground, giving fine views over the Downs.
The earliest record of a house and lands at Basings, owned by John Love, was in the Longhurst tithing of 1567. The Loves remained until Susannah, a daughter of Richard Love, a descendant of John, married Francis Beckford. Around the house they established a well-defined area of parkland with belts of trees skirting the perimeter, as shown on Milne's 1791 map. Their son, Francis Love Beckford, sold the estate, which was eventually acquired by Richard Norris in 1813, as confirmed by a survey of the same date. The Pleasure Garden and Park, as they became known in the Victorian and early-Edwardian periods, were further expanded between 1835 and 1863, by Joseph Martineau, a new owner, and his gardener, James Duncan.
Prosser's 1835 engraving, and articles from various gardening journals state that a 60 feet long conservatory was attached to the west wing of the house. Three ornamental flower gardens with fountains were linked by a main terrace walk, which extended the length of the Mansion and conservatory. One of the gardens, which was to the east of the house, had a monument. Another garden, immediately below the kitchen garden, became the rose and rock garden. The third garden was slightly to the south and west. The water supply had initially been a problem for the house and the fountains, but this was rectified by John Braithwaite, an engineer, who sank the existing well 90 feet deeper. This well had a tunnel part way down which led to the stables. A horse was led along this tunnel to a treadmill where it was hitched up to take up the water from the well. Over the years fine rhododendrons, camellias, choice shrubs and specimen trees were inter-planted around the edges of the gardens.
The main walled kitchen garden, to the west of the house, was just over one acre, and had an arched trellis of trained fruit trees over the principal walk. On its northern wall and outside the southern wall, two lean-to greenhouses provided fresh fruit for the house. The whole of this area became a partly-walled enclosure and included another two greenhouses, one of which was used as a ‘Forcing House'. This area was eventually sheltered on the north by a belt of fine tall beech trees and banks of rhododendron bushes. Unfortunately, the 1987 gales flattened two walls of the walled garden, which was rebuilt to half its size. A swimming pool and tennis courts were built on the remaining space.
The evergreen garden, to the south and west of the Mansion, was separated from the main gardens by a driveway to Basing Farm and the house. At one time a bridge over this driveway connected the two gardens. The evergreen garden, or Pinetum, as it was referred to, contained a fine collection of conifers with the genera separated into specific areas. It included other evergreens such as ilex, buxus, cotoneaster, and mahonia. Mown grassy pathways provided walks through the garden, where the trees were under-planted with Laurel and mahonia reptans.
By 1813 two lodges had been built on the Gosport road, with a sweeping one and a half mile drive from the northerly entrance winding eastwards through parkland to the house. The 1842 tithe map showed a lodge had been constructed on Hempland Lane, just to the south of the main house, with another adjacent to the main Petersfield Road (A272). The main road was reached by a two mile drive that was quite steep at its southerly end. These two long carriageways were eventually partly lined with double avenues of deodars, araucarias and other ornamental trees.
William Nicholson purchased the property in 1863 and retained most of the above. His gardeners were William Smythe and T Down. The former became well known for his hybridisation of plants. In 1903 the railway provided an additional access to the Mansion, when a new drive, again lined with ornamental trees, was constructed from the station to the west of the house. In 1915, just to the north of the evergreen garden, a productive orchard was planted and a brick and thatched fruit room built. At some stage a tennis court was laid on the western end of the lawn. A cricket pitch with pavilion was built beyond the eastern formal garden, extending to the access road for Coles Farm.
Period
- 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Grade: II
Features
- Kitchen Garden
- Description: The main walled kitchen garden, to the west of the house, was just over one acre and had an arched trellis of trained fruit trees over the principal walk. On its northern wall and outside the southern wall, two lean-to greenhouses provided fresh fruit for the house. The whole of this area became a partly walled enclosure and included another two greenhouses, one of which was used as a forcing house. This area was eventually sheltered on the north by a belt of fine tall beech trees and banks of rhododendron bushes. Unfortunately, the 1987 gales flattened two walls of the walled garden, which was rebuilt to half its size.
- Drive
- Description: In 1903 the railway provided an additional access to the mansion, when a new drive, again lined with ornamental trees, was constructed from the station to the west of the house.
- Earliest Date:
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- Drive
- Description: The Evergreen Garden, to the south and west of the mansion, was separated from the main gardens by a driveway to Basing Farm and the house. At one time a bridge over this driveway connected the two gardens.
- Manor House (featured building)
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- Orchard
- Description: In 1915, just to the north of the Evergreen Garden, a productive orchard was planted and a brick and thatched fruit room built.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Gate Lodge
- Description: By 1813 two lodges had been built on the Gosport road.
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- Gate Lodge
- Description: The 1842 tithe map showed a lodge had been constructed on Hempland Lane, just to the south of the main house, with another adjacent to the main Petersfield Road (A272).
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- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Part: ground/below ground level remains
Hectares
20
Civil Parish
Froxfield