Basildon, The Largest Town in the Borough of Basildon in the County of Essex, England
The town of Basildon in the Borough of Basildon in the English County of Essex is considered the largest town in the borough.
The town is 10 miles west of Southend-on-Sea, 11 miles south of Chelmsford City and 32 miles east of Central London. In 1948, after the Second World War, this town was created as a new town. It was meant to take in the population overflow of London from the clustered small towns of Vange, Laindon and Pitsea. The new town, was in the middle of the four. The town is considered one of the most densely populated areas in Essex.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Basildon
When Eastgate Shopping Centre at the town centre opened in stages between 1980 and 1985, it was considered Europe’s largest covered shopping area before Metro Centre, now intu MetroCentre, in Gateshead. Tyne and Wear opened the next year (1986). Eastgate was officially opened by Prince Edward, with Allders department store as the anchor store. Since then, it has undergone several facelifts, the most recent of which is in 2007. At present, the anchor stores of the shopping centre are Asda and Debenhams.
This new town is a foodie’s paradise. It has a one hundred twenty dining/drinking places and counting ranging from fine dining restaurants to cheap eats. Diners can have a choice of some of the best epicurean delights from countries across the globe or a classic English meal from a traditional English pub. There is something for every taste, preference and budget in this town.
For a place to stay either for just the night or a few days and even weeks for business or pleasure, there are seven hotels, one B&B/inn and one exclusive accommodation available in town.
Things to See and Do in Basildon
Hiking and admiring the wildlife and nature in the Noah Bridge Nature Reserve and Wat Tyler Country Park is a favourite activity when visiting Basildon. A visit to the Racing and Boat Museum is another “to do”thing while in this town.