Basildon factfile

How to get to Basildon
Situated approximately 30 miles to the east of London in Essex, Basildon is one of Britain's original "new towns". Easily accessible from the M25 London orbital, Basildon has excellent overland rail links into the capital and is within easy reach of both Stansted and London City Airports.

How Basildon got its name
The name "Basildon" means "Beorhtel's hill"—"Beorhtel" being a Saxon forename and "dun" the Saxon word for hill or rise. The town's name has gone through various permutations over the centuries, appearing variously as Berdlesdon, Batlesdon and Belesduna.

Basildon through the ages
Basildon was originally designated as one of the "New Towns" following the New Towns Act of 1946. It was designed as an overspill to accommodate people from the overpopulated East End of London.

However, the archaeological record shows that the area has been populated since the Bronze and Iron ages, and later by the Romans, Saxons and Danes. Basildon town was significantly large enough to feature in the Domesday Book, although its population declined significantly in the wake of the Black Death, and it remained little more than a village until after the Second World War.

Shopping in Basildon
The heart of shopping in Basildon is the Eastgate Shopping Centre, home to over 100 retailers. On five days of the week there is also an outdoor market selling fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing and household goods. The large retail parks of Lakeside and Bluewater are within easy each too.

Things to see and do around Basildon
The Basildon Arts Trust Gallery can be found in the Basildon Centre in the heart of the town. It houses the Basildon Arts Trust Collection, which includes an important collection of modern art works.

St Martin's Bell Tower in St Martin's Square is an 85-foot glass and steel tower which was designed by Douglas Galloway to commemorate the new Millennium. The tower contains six of the bells from the church of St. Nicholas in Colchester, together with two newly commissioned bells.

Natural beauty spots around Basildon
Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Norsey Wood, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with its 175 acres of ancient coppiced chestnut, oak and hornbeam woods.

The smaller Noak Bridge Nature Reserve is a must for bird lovers, with its nesting boxes for birds and bat species, and distinct habitats.