Berkshire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire" class="wp-image-51643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/12-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The sun is starting to peak through the clouds, spring flowers are breaking for cover, kids are driving you up the wall and the long weekend is fast approaching (whoop). There&#8217;s no better time to hit one (or all) of the National Trust&#8217;s eggscellent Easter trails. <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Basildon Park</a> ticks all our boxes. Film star good looks (did you spot it in S2 of Bridgerton? Perhaps the 2005 version of Pride &amp; Prejudice or the Downton Abbey Christmas special?), scenic views, nature-inspired fun and games, and a chocolate egg at the end? We couldn’t resist…



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire easter trail" class="wp-image-51632" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/1-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Basildon Park is a go-to in our house for a National Trust wander. There are four colour coded walks – ranging from 0.5 miles to 3 miles – that weave around the whopping 400 acres of gardens, woodland and rolling countryside. But there’s a fifth trail to enjoy this April – and its Adventures in Nature trail has all the wholesome fun you need over the Easter holidays.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire easter trail" class="wp-image-51638" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/7-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The Easter trail is a pick and mix of prettiness with 10 activity stations – scattered across pheasant park and into the Secret Walled Garden – open for the first time this year. The trail is away from the historic mansion but you get some blistering views of the countryside and parkland.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire easter trail" class="wp-image-51639" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/8-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The aim of the game is to have explore nature and engage all your senses through a series of games. They’ll have to wait until the end to try ‘taste’. At each point there is an activity: bunny hop over fences, catch the egg-shaped balls, test their nature knowledge, solve the puzzles, enter the wicker maze and more. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire easter trail" class="wp-image-51635" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/4-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Answer correctly and you’ll claim a chocolate prize, plus there’s plenty of photo opps throughout. It costs £3 on top of entry, and we recommend arriving early to stake out a parking spot. Basildon Park gets busy – particularly on sunny days – and while there’s plenty of room to roam, the café gets chocker. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51627" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/6-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



If you’ve never been to Basildon Park before, it’s a great spot for kids to let off steam and safely run free range (especially if there’s excess sugar involved). The start of the trail is a few minutes walk from the car park, then it’s a good 45- to 60-minute amble not including time spent on the activities. Bring the off road buggy along if you have littlies – you will be stomping across a field. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire" class="wp-image-51642" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/11-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Speaking of the activities, whether you do the trail or not there’s a wholesome mix here that’s designed to get kids looking up and around rather than at their screens. We spotted ball runs, fallen trees to clamber over, den building, bug hunting and carved toadstools to hop across. Don’t expect any overly-manicured flower beds here, either – Basildon Park’s superpower is its informality. It’s more about <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/spring-blossom-national-trust-berkshire/">landscaped nature and rolling hills</a> (Instagram feeds at the ready) than precision privet hedging.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg" alt="Daffodils in front of Basildon Park house" class="wp-image-50618" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/Daffodils-at-Basildon-Park-by-Hugh-Mothersole-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There’s plenty of room for picnics too – although the weather may need to warm up a bit for me to whip our the picnic basket. The ancient Copper Beech is a prime location and under the blossom tree is another for an Insta-perfect snap of the day. If you’re super-organised pack your own. We headed straight for the tearoom on the ground floor of the mansion house. The cakes are freshly baked every day and they offer kids meals, plus the legendary National Trust cream tea. It&#8217;s the Devon way in our house, so cream first, then jam. Although my son holds the jam. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14.jpg" alt="Basildon park national Trust Reading Berkshire" class="wp-image-51645" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/14-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



From here, you can explore the house and gardens. Loads of daffs blowing in the wind, clouds of blossom on trees and borders packed with fragrant hyacinths. Dogs are more than welcome, but must be kept on a lead, so it’s a great place to bring four-legged family members. 



Basildon Park’s Easter Egg trail ends on 16 April, so get out ASAP if you want to explore with the kids. Entry from 10am to 5pm, last entry at 4pm.



<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Basildon Park,</a> Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire RG8 9NR

Fresh air fun and games at Basildon Park’s Easter trail

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