Basildon, Essex

Flower Delivery to Basildon by Clare Florist

Planning to go on a sabbatical for the next couple of months? You should travel somewhere peaceful and quiet, with just the right mix of fun and excitement. We’re talking about Basildon, the largest town in the borough of Basildon, Essex. Because it’s conveniently close to London, you can choose to hop into the city whenever you need a change of scenery. Basildon, however, is a tourist destination all on its own.
    
A walk down memory lane

The first historical reference to Basildon that was ever recorded is from 1086, mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Belesduna’. Over the centuries, its name had taken various forms, but Basildon is believed to be derived from an Anglo-Saxon name ‘Boerthal’.

Basildon is one of the eight “New Towns” that was formed in the 1940s, after the New Town Act was passed. But it was officially designated as the ‘New Town’ by Lewis Silkin, Minister of Town and Country Planning, on 4 January 1949. As a way to bring Basildon to the 21st century, a smaller version of the Hollywood sign that read ‘Basildon’ was erected. It measures one-ninth of the original height of the famous sign, from which it was copied.

The sights

One thing you’d readily notice the moment you arrive at Basildon, is the rich and vibrant landscape. Everywhere you look; you’ll see beautiful flowers in Basildon that line up the streets or placed in pots and hung on window sills and doorways. On the get go, you’ll know right away which flowers are popular should you wish to send flowers to Basildon and neighbouring towns.

Most of these natural features translate to other notable landmarks, which you’ll see when you join the Basildon Heritage Trail. Along the way, you’ll find art pieces that showcase creativity and imaginative interpretations. One of the most iconic pieces is the Mother and Child Fountain by Maurice Lambert RA. Further down the trail you’ll see Brooke House, a Grade II listed building, and St Martin’s Church that features interesting sculptures, a small, stone statue of St Martin, a figure of Christ, and a figure of Woodsman Poacher that was carved from a 2-century old oak tree.

Moving away from the concrete jungle, you can spend a day at Barleylands Farm Park and experience the farm life. Get up close and personal with farm animals or simply enjoy the view of a vast green mix with Basildon flowers here and there. You can also shop or learn something new at the Craft Village.

The Festival Leisure Park, on the other hand, offers something for everyone, including cinemas, bowling alleys, bars, nightclubs and restaurants that offer cuisines from around the world. If you’re looking to take on a gastronomic journey, this is the place to be. As for your shopping expedition, visit Eastgate Centre where you’ll find just about everything you need, from boutiques to food. There are plenty of shops in the town centre as well. So, if you plan to send flowers to Basildon, check out what this shopping mecca has to offer.

Compared to any other town, Basildon has more parks and open spaces, and a favourite is Wat Tyler Country Park. With an area of 120 acres, it not only hosts wildlife, but other natural features as well, such as local flowers in Basildon. It also has a living museum that you shouldn’t miss.

Last, but not the least, is the Norsey Wood Nature Reserve, which is another open green space near Bilericay. Apart from being a Site of Scientific Interest, this place is also one the remaining examples of managed woodland in the UK.

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