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Basildon Park

Basildon Park
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In the English county of Berkshire, between the villages of Upper and Lower Basildon near Reading, is Basildon Park. This 18th-century Palladian estate has a staircase, stucco work, and an octagonal room painted in dark red. A collection of paintings and furniture, as well as the Shell Room, are there.

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The estate was acquired by Francis Sykes, an East India Company official. Between 1776 and 1783, he had the mansion built according to the plans of architect John Carr. Sykes, who also served as a Member of Parliament, resided at Basildon Park. After the death of both father and son in the same year, 1804, the grandson Francis Sykes inherited the estate, later serving as inspiration for the character Bill Sikes in Charles Dickens' “Oliver Twist”.

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Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image: Colin Jackson

This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.

Location: 51.4991, -1.1215