This little gem of a nature reserve, spanning 16 hectares, is a popular countryside retreat within with the local community. The contrast of open meadow, woodland, and lake makes the park popular with both people and nature.
In the summertime the grizzled skipper and other butterflies can be seen fluttering in the breeze, while the lake is a popular fishing venue, managed by a local fishing group, which attracts a variety of wildfowl.
The lake and meadow are owned by the Land Trust and are also part of Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT)’s Langdon Nature Reserve.
EWT provides a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that allow people to get involved in the conservation and improvement of the green space.
9.00am - 5.00pm
At the EWT Visitor Centre
Yes
Langdon Nature Discovery Centre is open 7 days a week.
A one-level surfaced path (car park to lake and back) suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, with resting points at approx. 50m intervals. There are kissing gates on this route. Other paths may not be suitable.
Dogs on leads welcome
Essex Wildlife Trust
Lower Dunton Road,
Basildon,
SS16 6EB
Langdon Lake and Meadows was once a neglected green space which has been transformed into a thriving community asset. The space is now supporting activities which benefit health, education, employment and community cohesion.
This park clearly demonstrates that if land is managed effectively at a local level problems can be overcome and massive benefits delivered. However the key to enabling successful local delivery is provided by the Land Trust because we provide a funding structure, management plan and accept the liabilities. This allows the local wildlife trust the freedom to work with local people to deliver a space that meets their needs.
The Trust provided the land owner, the local authority, with an exit from the problem space, which removed an increasing liability from their books and allowed a locally based organisation to implement a sustainable long term management programme.
For volunteering opportunities please email volunteering@essexwt.org.uk
For fishing enquiries, please email duntonreserve@outlook.com.
