Is Basildon Best for Boozers or for Perfect Parks?

It’s a sad fact that when Basildon is mentioned, people’s thoughts turn to Bas Vegas and the Basildon sign on the A127.

The recent Sky 1 programme. ‘The Force, Essex’, depicts the work of the police force in Essex. Basildon has featured heavily in this programme and the usual footage of dealing with drunken members of the public, have been shown. All this adds to Basildon’s notoriety and negative image, not an image of our Basildon property agents.

In truth, any large town or city can be seen to have similar problems to Basildon. A trip up North to Blackpool, or down South to Brighton will reveal exactly the same problems. People spilling out of pubs and clubs night and day, after celebrating Stag & Hen nights, or any other reason to drink themselves stupid. This takes place up and down the country. It has much more to do with 24 hour drinking laws, than any geographical location.

But let’s forget the boozers and concentrate on what’s great about Basildon. Undoubtedly it’s space. This is especially evident in its parks.

Wat Tyler Country Park comes out top and has been awarded a certificate of excellence. Its 125 acres of beautiful parkland within South Essex marshes is home to wildlife of all varieties and rare species can be found. There is also a visitor’s centre, café and gift shop, as well as thatched cottages, an adventure playground and miniature railway.

Noak Bridge Nature Reserve is seen as a ‘hidden gem’ in Basildon, a favourite of our Basildon property agents.

RSPB Bowers Marsh Nature Reserve, close to Wat Tyler Park, is a natural landscape that is perfect for miles of walking and spotting wildlife. This land goes back to ancient times and forms part of Basildon.

On Basildon’s boundaries lies Langdon Hills Country Park. It runs from Dunton to Vange and covers 400 acres. This historically important park has ancient forest as well as grassland and scrubland within it. Fantastic for horse riding, it is also home to the ‘Haven’. The Haven is a bungalow from the 40’s, preserved in the park as a reminder of an important part of Basildon’s history. During WWII when people were escaping from the city, small plots of land were made available to purchase on the outskirts of Basildon. Many people purchased these plots and built weekend retreats there. Some stayed and made their homes in the ‘Plotlands’, as they were called. Conditions were tough, especially during the freezing winters but the community spirit was enduring throughout.

Even in the middle of Basildon’s built up areas, Basildon has a park with a difference. At the Festival Leisure Park there is the Festival Wakeboard Park. Here lies a stretch of water where water sports take place. Wakeboarding is becoming increasingly popular and the tuition and practise there, has had very good reviews.

Whilst there will always be reports on drink fuelled behaviour in town centres, there is always more on offer than just drink, especially in Basildon.

Basildon has much to offer, and a lot of it is green and vibrant, and exists in the parks within and around this town.

If you would like more information on Basildon properties, contact one of our Basildon property agents.

Photograph provided by www.visitessex.com