Basing House

About the museum

Basing House in Old Basing was begun in 1531 by Sir William Paulet, later Marquess of Winchester and Lord Treasurer under several Tudor monarchs. It was built on the site of an earlier Norman castle and grew into the largest private house in England, with around 360 rooms. Monarchs including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were entertained here, and Queen Mary I and Philip of Spain are said to have spent part of their honeymoon in 1554.

During the English Civil War the house was held for King Charles I by the Paulet family. It withstood two sieges, but in the final attack in 1645 Oliver Cromwell arrived with heavy artillery. The walls were breached on 13 October 1645, the house was stormed and left a burning ruin. Local people were later allowed to take bricks, which were reused in buildings around the area.

Today the site is a landscape of earthworks, ditches, cellars and low walls, set in about 14 acres of grounds. The Great Barn, built of over a million bricks and tiles around 1535, survives almost complete and still shows damage from the fighting. Other features include brick-lined fishponds, a Jacobean walled garden and a viewing platform over the ruins. The Basing House Museum displays finds from the excavations and tells the story from Saxon times to the present.

Highlights

• Great Barn from the 1530s with visible Civil War damage
• Ruins and earthworks of the former Tudor mansion
• Jacobean walled garden and knot garden
• Museum with archaeological finds
• Basing Mouse activity trail for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Basing House Museum – Finds from the site and the story of Basing House from Saxon times to today, with a focus on Tudor life and the Civil War.
• Great Barn – A Tudor barn from the 1530s, with artillery damage from the Civil War still visible on its walls.

Founded

1531

Operated by

Hampshire Cultural Trust

Admission & discounts

A ticket allows unlimited visits for one year; existing ticket holders still book a visit day. Special events may cost extra.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is large and in two parts. Most areas are accessible, but some have rough ground or steep slopes. There are three accessible toilets and induction loops in the visitor centre, Great Barn, learning centre and museum. Guidebooks can be borrowed for hearing loss, braille guidebooks are available on loan, and guided tours for blind and partially sighted visitors can be booked in advance. Accessible parking is next to the visitor centre.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Basing Mouse activity trail for children, plus events, outdoor theatre, workshops and activity days during the open season. Baby changing is available.

Getting there & parking

Satnav postcode RG24 8AE. The Basing Trail walk from Basingstoke station via Eastrop Park takes about 40 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Cafe in the visitor centre (snacks, hot drinks, ice cream); gift shop; picnic areas and benches. Visitors who bring a reusable cup get a small discount on hot drinks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Two licensed wedding settings (Tudor Great Barn and Meadow; Garden Museum and Knot Garden) for ceremonies, receptions or both, from April to October; only one wedding per weekend.

Plan your visit