When the days are dark and damp, and the nights long, do you ever long to be outside in the fresh air. There is nothing like a good walk to get the blood flowing, and so in February members of the Thames Valley Centre ventured out to Basildon house and grounds, and, even though it was a dark overcast day, what better way to get there than in their Morgans. In all, six Morgans, all full of intrepid walkers and a dog had a very enjoyable, if a bit slippery, 3 mile walk around the grounds, whilst other went on the very interesting house tour. This was followed by coffee and cake, for some.
Basildon Park is a Georgian mansion surrounded by gardens and parkland inspired by Capability Brown. The house, which having been empty for almost 30 years, was rescued by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid-1950s and restored as its original 18th-century mansion salvaging the architectural fixtures and fittings. Basildon Park’s exterior has featured in the film Pride and Prejudice, and has recently appeared in ITV's Downton Abbey, when Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge got married. The interior of the house also featured as the family’s London residents in a 2013 episode.
So, don’t be afraid of getting your Morgans dirty at this time of year, get out there and enjoy fresh air. The Thames Valley Centre organise a walk at a National Trust property almost every month of the year, we hope you can join us soon.
