Hidden? Perhaps. A gem? For certain! Buscot Park is just not a lot hidden as it’s allusive. It’s 20 minutes from the place we dwell in West Oxfordshire, so an apparent selection for a stroll. However visiting isn’t simple because it’s solely open from 2pm to 6pm for six months of the 12 months.
However, take it from me, it’s value it. We obtained much more than we anticipated from visiting this Nationwide Belief property. Its gardens are impressively landscaped and the mansion looks like a house regardless of housing masterpieces that would match proper in on the Nationwide Gallery.
If exploring Buscot Park is in your listing of issues to do whereas mooching across the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border, learn on.
What’s the historical past of Buscot Home?
The Nationwide Belief has owned Buscot Park since 1956, however it’s managed, and nonetheless lived in, by the descendants of the first Lord Faringdon who purchased the property the late nineteenth Century.
Since being accomplished in 1783, Buscot has had a string of intriguing residents. From thrice married Edward Lovedon, who performed an necessary function in enhancing the canal community from Staines to Gloucester, to a clutch of youngsters evacuated from Basque throughout the Spanish Civil Battle.
Gavin Henderson, the 2nd Lord Faringdon, was one among its most charismatic house owners. He was a pacifist, a hero of the Blitz, distinguished socialist, horticulturist and artwork lover. He was additionally accountable for restoring the home inline with its 18th Century roots and rising the artwork assortment.
The Henderson household nonetheless handle Buscot on behalf of the Nationwide Belief and revel in it as a non-public residence for half the 12 months.
There’s a wonderful run down of Buscot’s historical past and mini-bios of the individuals who have lived right here on the Buscot Park web site.
Issues to do at Buscot Park
The ignorance on the Nationwide Belief web site mislead us into pondering there wasn’t a lot to see at Buscot.
It seems we may have simply crammed the entire afternoon.
Backyard discoveries
Each go to to Buscot begins with a stroll via the vegetable patches, flower beds and water options of the Walled Backyard. However this fairly cliched introduction to this historic property doesn’t put together you for the remainder of the backyard expertise.
Past the partitions we took the steep steps up in the direction of the mansion and have been stunned to discover a assortment of Terracotta Warriors standing to consideration between the field hedges. These reproduction statues are a touch at what’s to return in the remainder of the gardens.
To the east of the mansion, the backyard followers out into six avenues, every with their very own surprises.
There’s an Italian water backyard that results in a lake teeming with contemporary water muscle tissue and large fish.
We additionally had time to admire the Jubilee Sundial and Obelisk, sit for some time within the Citrus Bowl backyard with its gleaming pyramid, and wander via the Swinging Backyard with its rocking seats and rotating sycamore sculpture.
Every new discovery spurs you on to the following out of doors exhibit.
Touring Buscot Mansion
We had no expectations as we stepped inside Buscot Home. However our curiosity was instantly piqued by an Omani Khanjar (a ceremonial knife on a belt) that we noticed displayed in The Dutch Room.
In case you’ve learn something of our 2.5 years dwelling in Oman you’ll perceive our pleasure. We couldn’t discover out precisely how the knife belt had discovered its means right here, however there are printed guides in every room with a number of details about what you may see.
And it’s not simply objet d’artwork displayed on this 18th Century home. It’s full of rigorously curated treasures, from the Rossetti, Gainsborough and Burne-Jones art work hanging on the partitions to furnishings made by Neoclassical designer Robert Adam.
Buscot’s artworks are maintained as a part of The Faringdon Assortment, which is managed by the Hendersons and different trustees. They’re nonetheless including to the gathering. Upstairs you may see modern artworks which convey a really totally different really feel to the home.
I might like to share some pictures, however solely the likes of Hiya! Journal are permitted to share inside photographs. Have a nosy via their pictures from February 2026.
Total the mansion it feels very homely in comparison with a number of Nationwide Belief locations. You’ll be able to see a smattering of household pictures in between the artwork and the swimming pool is clearly nonetheless very a lot in use.
In case you’re visiting with youngsters it’s value mentioning that there’s no path sheet or fingers on actions that you just would possibly discover at different Nationwide Belief locations. The attraction for them will likely be within the vibrant colors of the furnishings, recognizing totally different kinds of art work and discovering curiosities within the gardens.
The place subsequent
I can suggest combining Buscot with a stroll at Coleshill, which is a brief drive away. Blakes Kitchen is an excellent standard cease for brunch, lunch or scrumptious bakes.
FAQs about visiting Buscot Park in Oxfordshire
Enable a minimum of a number of hours to go searching. Examine the Buscot Property web site earlier than you go to as the home opening instances range all through the week.
In case you convey your canine they’re solely allowed within the paddock by the automobile park. They can’t include you into the Walled Backyard or wider park.
Nationwide Belief members can go to without cost. Simply present your card at reception. Non-members ought to test the Buscot Park web site for the most recent entrance costs. These range relying on whether or not you’re visiting on a day the mansion is open or not.
Normally, Buscot is open to the general public from 2pm to 6pm from the beginning of April to the top of September annually. Nonetheless, the mansion is closed most Mondays and Tuesdays, and each the mansion and grounds are closed on two weekends every month. Examine the Buscot web site earlier than you go to.
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my huge spherical up of 101 UK points of interest for households.