Basing House is currently closed for development until Summer 2010. Check back here to see photographs of the site while we are closed.

The remains of the Basing House, once the country's largest private house and the palace of the powerful courtier William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester. The earthwork banks and ditches of an earlier medieval castle still dominate the ruins.

Exciting changes are coming to Basing House!

New facilities for visitors

The Grange Farm buildings will be restored and converted to provide new facilities like a shop, refreshments, toilets, parking for people with limited mobility, and an exhibition to introduce visitors to the fascinating history of the site.

In the old stable block there will be a specially designed space for learning and community use.

Over the road, the ruins of the huge Tudor palace called Basing House, the banks and ditches that once protected a medieval castle, and the 17th century Civil War defences will be conserved, explained and made more accessible to all visitors.

Improvements will include new toilets and a tearoom in The Bothy.

New things to do and new ways to have fun and learn

Basing House will be an exciting, attractive and interesting place for visitors to enjoy and explore. A full and varied programme of events, activities and learning opportunities will be provided to people of all ages.

And looking a bit further ahead...

Future ideas for attractions on the site include a themed children’s play area, giant games, a high-level viewing platform, a refurbished and updated museum in The Lodge and more hands-on learning activities. Some of this will only be possible when more funds become available so fundraising efforts will continue.

Download the master plan for the site (110kb pdf)