Langdon Visitor Centre
Langdon Visitor Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, the Langdon Visitor Centre is set in a stunning nature reserve of 461 acres which comprises woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens. There are beautiful wildlife gardens, a Peter Rabbitâ„¢ Woodland Trail and a museum of Plotland Life. The nature reserve offers walks through the many different habitats whilst the Visitor Centre serves refreshments and has a gift shop.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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57 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
72 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
22
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Stephen B
Heywood, UK159 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
Free substantial parking.
Lovely little shop with lots of locally sourced novel jams. The usual wildlife oriented products. Good quality. Not bad prices.
Cafeteria clean and pleasing with a nice area to sit outside.
Coffees good.
The walks in the reserve are well marked mostly and the tracks on the main routes good for all footwear. Some go off into grassy tracks that in wet conditions might prove a bit more challenging.
No play area as some have noted but there are the walks which surely is the main purpose of somewhere like this.
Lovely little shop with lots of locally sourced novel jams. The usual wildlife oriented products. Good quality. Not bad prices.
Cafeteria clean and pleasing with a nice area to sit outside.
Coffees good.
The walks in the reserve are well marked mostly and the tracks on the main routes good for all footwear. Some go off into grassy tracks that in wet conditions might prove a bit more challenging.
No play area as some have noted but there are the walks which surely is the main purpose of somewhere like this.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David J
Romford, UK15 contributions
Jun 2022
We found this place by chance and were amazed by what is going on. There are various walking routes according to ability and a number of interesting features along the way. The last Plotland cottage is currently under restoration, so will be an added attraction. The cafe is vey pleasant and the shop is well stocked. Our best find was the garden area consisting of a number of small plots full of a great variety of the plants. The volunteers here and elsewhere were very friendly and helpful. We’ll be back when we have more time.
More signage would help as you could easily miss the entrance if coming from the north.
More signage would help as you could easily miss the entrance if coming from the north.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
telval
Romford, UK58 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Lovely walk and playground for kids, with the additional interest of following the Peter Rabbit Trail. paths good for Buggies or Wheelchairs. Picnic tables as well.
Written April 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for putting your comments on TripAdvisor. Really glad you had a good visit and we hope we will see you again soon.
Written April 15, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucy
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Family
Really disappointed! It is obvious a lot of money has been spent on updating the car park, shop, and cafe. But they have removed the children's play area and the majority of the picnic tables so really apart from the Peter Rabbit trail which takes about 40mins there is very little for young children. They really need to up their game if they are going to compete with places like the gruffalo trail or Stick man trail.
Admittedly it is free, but such a shame when they were closed for over a year for improvements they couldn't leave the play area !
Admittedly it is free, but such a shame when they were closed for over a year for improvements they couldn't leave the play area !
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cheekycockney190757
Basildon, UK8,348 contributions
Sep 2021
Visited on Friday 17th September 2021 now titled as the Langdon Nature Discovery Park. Newly reopened with a new car park/discovery centre. First, visit for me in the 20 years I've lived here and TBH quite disappointing. The car park and visitor centre are of a size and quality for a much larger and more prestigious park. It seems they may have built the new car park and centre for future development but it is unclear as the actual nature reserve doesn't have allot to see bar the impressive lake, which appears set up for fishing more than standard visitors. There are some paths but these are inconsistent and primary walking routes appear just cut-throughs from the thick bushes/small trees that are the main elements to see up a steep hillside layout. The cafe and shop are nice and well-stocked and there are small garden areas near the centre, but the wider park is a miss for me.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan Clark
Canvey Island, UK44 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
I recently spent an afternoon there with a friend who is quite poorly and lives not too far from there.
The Flora & Fauna there is so beautiful and in a world where there is so much ugliness at present this made such a pleasant change. Walking through the copses is amazing and the smells from the different Flowering plants takes your breath away.
There is a small cottage which up until 1975 was still lived in on site.
Les & Ron are only too eager and happy to show you around the small rooms which are still furnished in the original style. There are far too many old fashioned items to mention in this review as it would take up pages & pages.
The lake is extremely well maintained and the wild Fowl that inhabit the lake are really quite placid.
The lake is actually home to a Local Angling Club and you will see anglers on most pegs.
There is a small shop on site although I did not go in there so cannot comment on their wares.
A reasonably adequate Car Park is situated off the Lower Dunton Road.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable experience and easy to spend the whole day there if the weather is okay.
The Flora & Fauna there is so beautiful and in a world where there is so much ugliness at present this made such a pleasant change. Walking through the copses is amazing and the smells from the different Flowering plants takes your breath away.
There is a small cottage which up until 1975 was still lived in on site.
Les & Ron are only too eager and happy to show you around the small rooms which are still furnished in the original style. There are far too many old fashioned items to mention in this review as it would take up pages & pages.
The lake is extremely well maintained and the wild Fowl that inhabit the lake are really quite placid.
The lake is actually home to a Local Angling Club and you will see anglers on most pegs.
There is a small shop on site although I did not go in there so cannot comment on their wares.
A reasonably adequate Car Park is situated off the Lower Dunton Road.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable experience and easy to spend the whole day there if the weather is okay.
Written May 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your comments and taking the time to provide your feedback. We are glad that you enjoyed your visit here and your time spent on the reserve and in The Haven, we will pass your comments onto our volunteers Les and Roy. The Visitor Centre provides a selection of snacks and hot and cold drinks, so if you do visit again please do pop in. We hope to see you again soon.
Written May 25, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy
Basildon, UK73 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
I come here every week with my 3 year old son, we go to a class called Nature Tots which is lovely to get young children involved with nature.
We have also been to some of the half term craft sessions/weekend events and always enjoy them.
The staff are so friendly and always have time to talk to the children.
There is also the peter rabbit trail, the wooden play area and duck pond, which you can buy food to feed them with.
The gift shop is also lovely if you want a snack, drink or merchandise.
We have also been to some of the half term craft sessions/weekend events and always enjoy them.
The staff are so friendly and always have time to talk to the children.
There is also the peter rabbit trail, the wooden play area and duck pond, which you can buy food to feed them with.
The gift shop is also lovely if you want a snack, drink or merchandise.
Written January 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for taking the time to review us. It is lovely to hear from regular visitors and we are really glad you enjoy the activities we provide. The education team are great and love meeting all the children. We hope you will continue to enjoy your visits.
Written January 10, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brad P
Hornchurch, UK161 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
Came here to visit the Peter Rabbit Trail. Is a beautiful park, but there’s not much signage around, because they want people to buy a map to find all the characters. There’s some pretty nice views from the top of the hills too, which is nice. The Visitor Centre is nice as well, as its the little gift shop as well. Free parking is a bonus. Well worth a visit
Written September 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for taking the time to review the reserve and the Trail. I'm really glad you enjoyed the Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail. We are working hard to constantly improve the reserve. We do try to keep the site accessible to all with minimum charges we do ask for a small charge for the map to support the cost of the characters the installation, maintenance etc. This all goes towards the charity and supports the work of Essex Wildlife Trust to provide green space for wildlife and the people in Essex. We hope we will see you again soon.
Written September 12, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy T
Halling, UK40 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We visited the Peter Rabbit Trail and it was absolutely lovely . Only took less than an hour to walk round but so pleasant . The gentleman working in the shop was so pleasant and helpful.
A lovely place to take the children
A lovely place to take the children
Written August 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chanel05
Basildon, UK40 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Absolutely love this place. If it’s peace you’re looking for, an educational visit or a stroll with friendly people and friendly staff, you’ll be coming to the right place. Been coming here for over twenty years. I come here time and time again.
It is also the home of the Peter rabbit trail!
It is also the home of the Peter rabbit trail!
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your review. Really lovely to hear you are a long term visitor. I hope you have benefited from the changes we have made and hope you will continue to see changes. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Written June 22, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy R
London, UK3 contributions
Are dogs allowed?
JustBecause
Essex, UK13 contributions
There are signs where the dogs can't go, think it's the shop,pond next to the shop,kids play area & the garden bit just after the kids play bit. But the place is big,so lots of walking to be had for dogs.
louisegough5936
Edinburgh, UK313 contributions
How much is entrance?
g0rse
Basildon, UK7 contributions
Now I've time for a fuller answer:
It's run by Essex Wildlife Trust and while it is free, you can buy food (sandwiches etc) and drink in Visitor Centre or buy items in gift shop to contribute to their funds or even just put donations in collecting box.
Langdon Visitor Centre (Basildon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Langdon Visitor Centre
- Langdon Visitor Centre is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Langdon Visitor Centre:
- (2.66 mi) Glass House Retreat
- (2.63 mi) The Bell Inn
- (6.60 mi) Downham Hall - Hotel
- (3.25 mi) Premier Inn Basildon South hotel
- (1.13 mi) Langdon Hills Golf, Country Club & Hotel
- Restaurants near Langdon Visitor Centre:
- (0.00 mi) Third Avenue Restaurant
- (1.36 mi) Miller & Carter Steakhouse
- (0.62 mi) Langdon Hills Golf and Country Club Restaurant
- (2.26 mi) DB Shack
- (3.34 mi) Fridays - Basildon