Designed in the Palladian style by John Carr the house was built between 1776 and 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes. However, Basildon Park was never fully completed and between 1900 and 1952 it fell into decline and had a variety of owners including the military. 

Lord and Lady Iliffe rescued Basildon Park from almost certain demolition in 1952 and set about restoring the house and reviving the gardens.  In 1978 the Iliffes gifted the house and 400 acres of parkland to the National Trust.  The house has featured in various TV and film highlights. It starred as Netherfield Park in ’Pride and Prejudice’ and was transformed into Regency grandeur for ‘Bridgerton’; it played a part in the British film gangster comedy ‘The Gentlemen’ and also the blockbuster ‘The Crown’.