The present Basildon Church is mostly 15th century. It is best known as the place of baptism and burial of the famous 18th century agriculturalist, Jethro Tull. Known as the 'Father of the Agricultural Revolution', he invented a seed-drill in 1701 and wrote 'Horse Husbandry', a famous pioneering work on farming methods. When he died in 1741, he was buried in Basildon churchyard where a modern gravestone, showing his revolutionary drill, was erected in the late 20th century. Nearby is a touching monument to the Deverell brothers, showing two teenage boys who drowned in the Thames in 1886.

Basildon is, of course, best known for Basildon Park, the county's finest National Trust property. A previous house had been the home of the Viscounts Fane but the present building was erected for Sir Francis Sykes between 1776 and 1783. It is a beautiful example of a Palladian villa. Sir Francis made his money working for the East India Company in Bengal. Unfortunately, his grandson was a spendthrift and the estate was sold to the millionaire, James Morrison MP, in 1838. It then became home to his vast collection of paintings. Though the connection is unknown to many, Basildon Park is remembered through 'Basildon Bond' writing paper which was named in honour of the place after the head of the stationery firm stayed there with James' grandson, Major JA Morrison. Major Morrison was a great benefactor to Basildon and a patron of the architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, who erected a number of cottages in Upper Basildon.

Basildon Grotto is a second elegant mansion in the parish, with fine views over the Thames. It was built in the early 18th century by Mary, Viscountess Fane, who lived at Basildon Park. It was originally a simple garden folly covered in attractive shellwork, which she used as a riverside retreat. Unfortunately, the house has become ruinous and suffered a serious fire in recent years. The ghost of Lady Fane's daughter-in-law is still said to haunt the house, having fallen down a well.

Read more history of Lower Basildon and other nearby settlements, like Upper Basildon, in David Nash Ford's book, 'Mid-Berkshire Town and Village Histories'. Click to Order direct from the Author.

NEW BOOK Whether you are from Mid-Berkshire or just visiting, this book is the place to find out all about the history of some 113 different towns, suburbs, villages and hamlets in the Boroughs of Reading and of Wokingham and the eastern portion of the District of West Berkshire. From Streatley to Padworth and Ruscombe to Finchampstead, join David Nash Ford from berkshirehistory.com in his second volume examining the structures, people and events that have shaped each place. Some of these histories were first published in part here on this website, but they have all been considerably expanded and are joined by many new histories of places often missed by historians, including those which only joined Berkshire in 1911 or later. Click for full details and purchase options.