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Buscot Park
 Summary
A late 18th-century neo-classical house, set in lovely landscape gardens
and parkland. Within the house, owned by the National Trust but administered
by Lord Faringdon, are displayed fine furniture and art of the very
highest order, including the Faringdon Collection, a superlative collection
of Old Master paintings and Pre-Raphaelite artwork. In the grounds is
a lovely 20th century water garden composed of canals and classical
bridges.
Buscot
Park Photo Gallery >>
 The
House
Buscot house was built in 1779 by Edward Loveden Loveden, using the
services of architect James Darley. Darley built in the then popular
Palladian style, drawing on Italian influence to create a building that
is surprisingly understated yet elegant in appearance. The south frontage
looks out across parkland, and the north offers magnificent views across
a 20 acre lake.
Loveden was an interesting character, who earned the moniker 'Old Father
Thames' for his role in improving navigation upon the River Thames.
His work was largely tinged with self interest, for the fees from vessels
using Buscot Lock earned him a hefty income. Despite this income, and
further wealth accrued from marriage to three wealthy heiresses, Loveden
was heavily in debt, partly because of the money he spent on Buscot
Park.
 Buscot
eventually passed to the Henderson family, in the person of Alexander
Henderson, a financier who was later made the 1st Lord Farngdon. The
house is still in the Henderson family, though now owned by the National
Trust.
The house interior is magnificently ornate, with classical decorative
elements and gilding throughout. Pride of place in the interior goes
to The Faringdon Collection. This is largely the work of Gavin Henderson,
grandson of the 1st Lord Faringdon, who was an avid art collector. Henderson
amassed a superlative collection of paintings, including works by Rembrandt,
Joshua Reynolds, Rubens, and Edward Burne-Jones, among many others.
This artwork was augmented with a 19th and 20th century British paintings
and drawings, making the Faringdon Collection one of the finest in Britain.
| Heritage Highlight |
| In 1859 Buscot was purchased by Robert Campbell.
Campbells eldest daughter, Florence, married Charles Bravo. In 1876
Bravo died of antimony poisoning, and Florence was charged with
his murder. The court case that followed was one of the most sensational
of the Victorian period, with revelations of Florence's illicit
affair with a prominent physician. After 5 weeks of courtroom drama
the jury was unable to reach a find sufficient evidence to name
a murderer, and Florence was released. The case has been the subject
of numerous books, including one by mystery writer Agatha Christie,
and much speculation. |
The Gardens
There are several distinct gardens at Buscot. The
earliest gardens were begun just as the house was being finished. The
design was English landscape garden with the 20 acre lake being the
most prominent feature. A classical bridge was built at the far end
of the lake to provide a focal point.
 The
most prominent is the 20th century water gardens, one of the finest
in England, laid out on a sloping lawn below the 18th century stately
home. This is the work of Harold Peto, who was greatly influenced by
Italian Renaissance design. Peto joined the north terrace, where the
house was built, to the lake, using a series of small canals crossed
by footbridges. Beside the canals are garden rooms formed by clipped
hedges. The effect is surprisingly peaceful; the symmetry of the formal
canals softened by the greenery. There are classical garden ornaments
at every turn, and a variety of flowering plants and shrubs providing
colour and shelter.
There is also an extensive landscape garden, formal
Italianate gardens, and modern walled gardens.
Buscot for Families
The National Trust does offer a children's quiz for the house interior.
Beyond that, there is plenty of open space outside in the parks and
gardens for children to run around, but no special children's amenities.
Our children, aged 5 and 11, really enjoyed the water gardens, especially
the small footbridges across the canals. They also enjoyed a swinging
garden seat in the lower gardens.
What's it like to visit?
Buscot Park Photo Gallery >>
Contact
Buscot Park
Faringdon
Oxfordshire
England
SN7 8BU
Location: on A417
Website: Buscot Park
Email: estbuscot@aol.com
Phone: 01367 240786
Fax: 01367 241794
Location
map
Parking
There is a car park in a very large field below the house. There is
a gentle climb to the house and garden, though the paths are not steep.
Entry
Entry fee.
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