Basque House, Eaton Hastings, Buscot and Coleshill Estates

Summary

Basque House, is a small house dating 1811 with the north wing added in the late 19th century to early 20th century. The house's name is thought to come from once housing Basque refugees from the Spanish Civil War.

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Description

House: Main block 1811, with north wing added late 19thC- early 20thC. Out buildings probably early 19thC, with later 19thC additions.

A good example of a small house of this period which mixes vernacular and polite elements. An attractive stone-built house retaining many good period features. Date stone inscribed with initials of Edward Loveden Loveden. A two storey house constructed of coursed rubble stone with a slated gabled roof and a stone stack. It has sash and casement windows. The house stands on the west side of an entrance to Buscot Park and has a range of outbuildings on its west side.

The 'Basque House' as it is now known was constructed in the early 19thC to serve Buscot Park. An association with the estate is clear from the inscription on the date stone in the western gable which bears the date 1811 and the initials of Edward Loveden Loveden, the owner of the estate at that time.

The Basque House is positioned at an entrance to Buscot Park and, as is suggested by an earlier name 'The Heckford Lodge', once functioned as a lodge or gatehouse to the Park. However the original form and internal features of the house, and the provision of a stable and cartshed, suggest it was constructed to house an employee of far greater social status than a gatekeeper. Nothing is known of the original occupant. In 1850, when the Estate was conveyed to Robert Campbel I the house was occupied by Mr Heckford who lent his name to the building. During the later 19thC the house was occupied by George John Laggat. Laggat was listed in Kelly's Directory of 1867 and 1891 as an agent to Robert Campbell and manager of the Buscot Park Dairy.

According to local belief the house was occupied by Basque refugees during the middle of the 2OthC. Lord Faringdon took an active part in the Spanish Civil War against the Fascists, as a result of which a number of Basque children enjoyed the hospitality of Buscot. (Christopher Hussey. Country Life. 1940). Consequently the building became known as "Basque House".

Details taken from the V.B.S. (1)

Recorded in 2017 and described as ‘Mud House’ marked close to this site on 18th century map. Current building may have earlier fabric or be on site. Now known as ‘Basque House’ due to association with Spanish refugees in 1930s, but not listed. [3]

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