Basildon

{{Further|New towns in the United Kingdom}}

The first historical reference to Basildon is in records from 1086. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'Belesduna'.{{cite web | title = National Archive Summary Record for Basildon | publisher = nationalarchives.gov.uk |date=November 2006 | url = http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7568162&queryType=1&resultcount=1

| access-date = 8 November 2006}} The name 'Basildon' may be derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name 'Boerthal' and the Anglo-Saxon word 'dun', meaning hill.{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/basildon/basildon.html |title=The History |publisher=Basildon |access-date=6 August 2009}} In historical documents, this name had various forms over the centuries, including Berdlesdon, Batlesdon and Belesduna.

The railway service started in the 19th century to Pitsea (1856) and Laindon (1888), but it was only later that proposals to provide service to the new town of Basildon, shelved for many years because of concerns that it would simply become a commuter suburb of London, were eventually forced through. A significant number of modern-day residents do commute to London.{{cite web|url=https://londondatastore-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/Zho%3Dttw-flows.pdf|title=Commuting in London CIS 2014-11 - GLA Intelligence p.July 2014|access-date=26 November 2018}}

By the beginning of the 1900s, Basildon had evolved with much of the land having been sold in small plots during a period of land speculation and development taking placed haphazardly with building by plot owners ranging from shelters created from recycled materials to brick-built homes and with amenities such as water, gas, electricity and hard-surfaced roads lacking.{{cite news|title=Once upon a time in ... Basildon |last=Peers|first=Deborah|date=November 2008 |work=Essex Life |url=http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=Qs3051eD1rF8&EID=e2b10cf0-fd31-44b7-837b-a7ba94501771&skip=true |publisher=Archant |pages=72–73 |access-date=24 January 2009}} (Registration required)

In the 1940s, Billericay Urban District Council and Essex County Council, concerned by lack of amenities in the area and by its development, petitioned the Government to create a New Town. Basildon was one of eight 'New Towns' created in the South East of England after the passing of the New Towns Act.{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/home.html|title=Basildon History Online|access-date=6 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817104135/http://www.basildon.com/history/home.html|archive-date=17 August 2009|url-status = dead}} On 4 January 1949 Lewis Silkin, Minister of Town and Country Planning, officially designated Basildon as a New Town. Basildon Development Corporation was formed in February 1949 to transform the designated area into a modern new town. The New Town incorporated Laindon and Pitsea and was laid out around small neighbourhoods with the first house being completed in June 1951. The masterplan was published in 1951, with the landscaping proposed by Sylvia Crowe with open space and playing fields distributed throughout the developed area to preserve the best landscape features.{{Cite web |title=Basildon - 1951 Master Plan Technical Report extract - Part 3 |url=http://www.basildon.com/history/basildon/bdc-1951-master-plan-3.html |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=www.basildon.com}} The first tenants moved into homes in Redgrave Road in Vange.{{cite web |url=http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19501959.html |title=A Chronological History 1950 – 1959 |publisher=Basildon |access-date=6 August 2009 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226224844/http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19501959.html |archive-date=26 February 2009 }} A large, illuminated town sign "Basildon Town Centre Site" at {{convert|3.5|ft}} was erected in 1956 by the railway and stood until early construction was completed. The Basildon Centre, which incorporates the local council offices, was officially opened by Jack Cunningham on 14 November 1989.{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/1985-1989.html|title=Basildon Chronology 1985-1989|publisher=Basildon History|access-date=8 February 2021}}

Since March 2010, Basildon has a miniature famous white Hollywood sign, reading "Basildon"; at five feet tall, the new sign is one-ninth of the height of the Hollywood original.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8591492.stm BBC News] 29 March 2010. part of a plan of landscaping and infrastructure improvements funded by £400,000 from the Prescott-spearheaded Thames Gateway. Opponents from all parties believe spending could have been directed toward social problems.{{cite web |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/7989291.Echo_reveals_original_Basildon_New_Town_sign/ |title=Basildon's name was up in lights...54 years ago |work=Echo}}[http://metro.co.uk/2010/03/30/basildon-gets-hollywood-sign-essex-style-201615/ London Metro] "Basildon Gets Hollywood Sign Essex Style" 30 March 2010

{{Further|Basildon and Billericay (UK Parliament constituency)|South Basildon and East Thurrock (UK Parliament constituency)|Essex local elections}}

The former constituency of Basildon was considered a barometer of public opinion in general elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/basildon-opens-its-doors-to-the-big-guns-1275223.html |title=Basildon opens its doors to the big guns |work=The Independent |date=27 March 1997 |access-date=6 August 2009 |location=London |first=Steve |last=Boggan}} The results of the constituency elections were the same as the overall result of general elections from 1983 to its abolition in 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/nov/03/marketingandpr.weekend |title=John Harris on former tabloid editor Andy Coulson's success as David Cameron's spin doctor | Media |work=The Guardian |date= 3 November 2007|access-date=6 August 2009 | location=London}} Basildon was said to epitomise the working class conversion to Thatcherism during the 1980s, though the town did not vote Conservative in 1979; nor did the Conservative Party ever hold an absolute majority in the town – its success was due to the split between the SDP and the Labour Party. "Basildon Man" or "Essex Man" was coined to describe an aspirational working class voter.{{cite web |title=Thatcher: The rise of 'Basildon man' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-22076204/margaret-thatcher-and-rise-of-basildon-man |work=BBC News |date=9 April 2013}}

Boundary changes, which came into force from the 2010 general election, mean that the area is politically represented by two MPs, from the constituencies of Basildon and Billericay and South Basildon and East Thurrock. The current MPs are Richard Holden (Conservative Party) and James McMurdock (Reform UK.)

In terms of local politics, Basildon District elects five councillors to Essex County Council.{{cite web |url=http://countyelections.essexcc.gov.uk/MapOfDivisions.asp?DistrictID=7 |title=Essex County Council Election Results – Map Of Divisions |publisher=Countyelections.essexcc.gov.uk |access-date=6 August 2009 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609021330/http://countyelections.essexcc.gov.uk/MapOfDivisions.asp?DistrictID=7 |archive-date=9 June 2009 }} Following the 2017 election, the seats were split: two to the Conservatives, two to Labour and one Independent. Noak Bridge has a parish council.{{cite web|url=https://e-voice.org.uk/noakbridgepc/|title=Noak Bridge Parish Council|publisher=e-voice.org.uk|date=|access-date=6 November 2024}}

Basildon was built like many new towns with each area being a planned community. These communities are now the local areas of the town:

• Pitsea - one of the original four villages that were incorporated into the new town. Pitsea itself is split into 7 distinct communities - Pitsea, Pitsea Mount, Eversley, Chalvedon, Northlands (formerly Felmores), Burnt Mills and Nevendon.
• Laindon - one of the original four villages that were incorporated into the new town.
• Vange - one of the original four villages that were incorporated into the new town.
• Fryerns - an area of Basildon which is located along Whitmore Way.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/fryerns-basildon|title=Fryerns, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}} The name came from a nearby farm (reputedly the first farm compulsory purchased by the Basildon Development Corporation){{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/farms/farms.html|title=Farms - Basildon History|access-date=28 November 2018}} and was formerly the home of Fryerns Comprehensive School.
• Craylands - an area between Fryerns and Pitsea, and was named after the former Craylands County Secondary School. The area is under redevelopment by Swan Housing and has been renamed by them as Beechwood Village.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16093308.100-homes-buy-out-for-multi-million-revamp-of-craylands-estate/|title=100 homes buy out for multi-million revamp of Craylands Estate, Basildon - Evening Echo Robinson.E p.18 March 2018|access-date=28 November 2018}}
• Barstable - an area situated along Timberlog Lane.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/barstable-basildon|title=Barstable, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}} The area is named after the former Barstable Hundred and known for its local shopping parade Stacey's Corner. It was formerly home to both Barstable School and Timberlog Secondary School with the former being now part of the Basildon Academies.
• Kingswood - an area situated at the west end of Clay Hill Road.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/kingswood-basildon|title=Kingswood, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 January 2018}}
• Ghyllgrove - an area situated between the Town centre and Fryerns.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/ghyllgrove-basildon|title=Ghyllgrove, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}}
• Lee Chapel South - an area situated between the Town centre and Basildon University Hospital.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/lee-chapel-south-basildon|title=Lee Chapel South, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}}
• Lee Chapel North - an area situated between Gloucester Park, Lee Chapel South and Laindon{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/lee-chapel-north-basildon|title=Lee Chapel North, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}}
• Langdon Hills - an area situated south of Laindon.
• Dry Street - a small hamlet situated just south of Laindon and west of Vange.
• Great Berry - declared a village by Essex County Council in 2015, the area is situated west of Laindon.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/great-berry-basildon|title=Great Berry, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}}
• Noak Bridge - an area just north of Pipps Hill and east of Steeple View.
• Steeple View - an area just north of Laindon and West of Noak Bridge.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/steeple-view-basildon|title=Steeple View, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}} It is so named because the steeples of Great Burstead Church, St. Mary the Virgin Church and St Nicholas Church, Basildon are visible from the area.
• Pipps Hill - an industrial area just north of Gloucester Park and west of Cranes.{{cite web|url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/pipps-hill-basildon|title=Pipps Hill, Basildon - #Getoutside Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 November 2018}}
• Cranes - an industrial area east of Pipps Hill. The name comes from the former Cranes Farm which stood on the site.

Basildon has a heavily developed industrial base. During the construction of the New Town, government grants were given to companies to set up their businesses in Basildon. Amongst the companies that took up these grants were Ford Motor Company (opened 1964), Carreras Tobacco Company (1959–1984), Yardley of London (1966–1998), Gordon's Gin (1984–1998) and GEC-Marconi (now home to Leonardo MW).

Basildon has industrial areas situated in Laindon, Cranes Farm Road and Burnt Mills. Cranes Farm Road is currently home to CNH Tractor Plant, formerly owned by Ford. Argos opened a regional warehouse on Pipps Hill Industrial Estate in the 1990s. In 2015, an Amazon delivery base was opened in Christopher Martin Road.{{Cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/13902412.New_Amazon_delivery_base_in_Basildon_will_create_more_than_200_new_jobs/|title=New Amazon delivery base in Basildon will create more than 200 new jobs|website=Echo|language=en|access-date=21 March 2017}}

A data centre hosting the European matching engine of the Intercontinental Exchange is located in Gardiners Lane, Basildon on the site of the former York International factory.{{Cite web|url=http://modbs.co.uk/news/archivestory.php/aid/1394/York_92s_Basildon_factory_to_be_closed_down_in_restructuring.html |title=York's Basildon factory to be closed down in restructuring |date=15 October 2005 |website=Modern Building Services |access-date=21 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/8988364.Wall_Street_back_up_centre_could_close/|title=Wall Street Back up Centre Could Close – Evening Echo p.22 April 2011|access-date=21 August 2015}}

In 2017, Costa Coffee opened their new coffee roastery in Basildon. It is said to be Europe's biggest coffee roastery – quadrupling Costa's roasting capacity from 11,000 tonnes per year to 45,000 tonnes. The facility, which is dubbed "Paradise Street", can handle around 24 tonnes of coffee beans per hour.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/03/13/costa-serve-2bn-cups-coffee-year-europes-biggest-roastery/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/03/13/costa-serve-2bn-cups-coffee-year-europes-biggest-roastery/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Costa to serve up 2bn cups of coffee a year with Europe's biggest roastery|work=The Telegraph|access-date=21 March 2017|language=en-GB}}{{cbignore}}

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591013&cityname=Basildon%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units=|title=Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase}}

{{Weather box

|location = Basildon

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan high F = 46

|Feb high F = 46

|Mar high F = 52

|Apr high F = 55

|May high F = 63

|Jun high F = 68

|Jul high F = 72

|Aug high F = 72

|Sep high F = 66

|Oct high F = 59

|Nov high F = 52

|Dec high F = 46

|year high F = 59

|Jan low F = 37

|Feb low F = 37

|Mar low F = 39

|Apr low F = 41

|May low F = 46

|Jun low F = 52

|Jul low F = 57

|Aug low F = 57

|Sep low F = 52

|Oct low F = 48

|Nov low F = 41

|Dec low F = 37

|year low F = 46

|Jan precipitation days = 18

|Feb precipitation days = 14

|Mar precipitation days = 16

|Apr precipitation days = 15

|May precipitation days = 13

|Jun precipitation days = 13

|Jul precipitation days= 12

|Aug precipitation days = 12

|Sep precipitation days = 14

|Oct precipitation days = 16

|Nov precipitation days = 16

|Dec precipitation days = 16

|year precipitation days = 175

|source 1 = Weatherbase

{{cite web

|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591013&cityname=Basildon-England

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705202556/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591013&cityname=Basildon-England

|url-status = dead

|archive-date=5 July 2013

|publisher=Weatherbase

|title=Weatherbase.com

|year=2013

}}

Retrieved on 5 July 2013.

|date=July 2013

}}

File:Mayne roads.jpg

The two main roads from London to Southend, the A13 and A127, pass to the south and north of the town respectively. Both are important commuter trunk roads, allowing easy access to the M25 and the rest of the motorway network. Locally, the A13 gives access to Pitsea and Vange; the A127 gives access to Basildon town centre and Laindon.

Within the town are six main roads which link to and from the A13 and A127; all of them include the word 'Mayne' in their names:

• Nether Mayne runs from the town centre to the A13 at Five Bells junction, just west of Vange
• Upper Mayne runs from the town centre to the A127 in the north-east corner of Laindon. Both this road and Nether Mayne form part of the A176, which continues north to Billericay
• South Mayne runs from Northlands Park to the A13 at Pitsea
• East Mayne runs from Northlands Park to the A127 near Noke Wood. Both this road and South Mayne form part of the A132, which continues north to Wickford
• Broadmayne runs from the town centre to Northlands Park, connecting the four aforementioned roads. It forms the A1321
• West Mayne runs from the centre of Laindon to the A127 at Dunton Wayletts. It forms part of the B148, which continues east from Laindon to Upper Mayne.

The town has three stations on the London, Tilbury and Southend line: {{rws|Pitsea}}, {{rws|Basildon}} and {{rws|Laindon}}. All are served by c2c trains running between {{rws|Fenchurch Street}}, {{rws|Southend Central}} and {{rws|Shoeburyness}}; trains serving Basildon and Laindon stations run via {{rws|Upminster}}.{{Cite web |work=c2c |title=Timetable |date=15 December 2025 |access-date=17 March 2025 |url= https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/timetable/ |quote=}}

Most bus services are provided by First Essex, which connect Basildon to Billericay, Wickford and other nearby towns. Other providers are Stephensons of Essex and NIBS Buses.{{Cite web |title=Stops in Basildon |url=https://www.bustimes.org/localities/basildon |website=Bustimes.org |access-date=17 March 2025}}

{{Infobox Future Infrastructure Project

|property_name = Basildon Enterprise Corridor

|image_name = Basildon_development.png

|image_size = 200px

|caption =

|location = Essex

|proposer = Essex County Council

|estimated cost = £14.7m

|planned start =

|planned finish = March 2011

|stakeholders =

}}

As part of Basildon's redevelopment, Essex County Council had proposed that the A127 undergo significant development at a cost of £15 million, which was expected to be finished by March 2011. It was funded via the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). The project was completed and was divided into three sections:

• Section 1 – Eastmayne. Implementation of an additional lane northbound (600 metres approx.) and new drainage and footpath realignment.
• Section 2 – Cranes Farm Road. Included dualling of the existing carriageway of which was already there (approx. 1500m) and enhancing and upgrading junctions – with the creation of a dedicated left turn lane at the roundabout at Eastmayne to help ease traffic flows during busy hours at the junction.
• Section 3 – Introduction of a new A176 junction at Pipps Hill. This included upgrading the east and westbound off slips to increase the capacity of vehicles and ease traffic flows. The implementation of queue detection and advanced warning signs was also added to this section of the road.{{cite web|url=http://www.ceequal.com/case-studies/basildon-enterprise-corridor/|title=A127 Basildon Enterprise Corridor|date=8 March 2016|publisher=Carillion Civil Engineering|access-date=21 March 2017}} Part of section 3 also saw the introduction of the new Hollywood sign for Basildon at the A176 junction.

Image:Basildon Academies.jpg|The logo of the Basildon Academies

Image:James Hornsby Comprehensive School.jpg|James Hornsby School

{{Main|List of schools in Essex}}

There are several secondary schools in the Basildon district:

• Basildon Academies{{cite web|url=http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/schoolsInDistrict.do?stype=Secondary&district=Basildon |title=Essex County Council |publisher=Essexcc.gov.uk |access-date=6 August 2009 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214102708/http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/schoolsInDistrict.do?stype=Secondary&district=Basildon |archive-date=14 February 2009 }}
• De La Salle School
• James Hornsby School
• Woodlands School

{{clear}}

Basildon also has two further education colleges:

• South Essex College - located in the town centre. It was originally located at Nethermayne (formerly Thurrock and Basildon College) near Basildon University Hospital.
• PROCAT – an engineering and construction FE college (formerly Prospects College) based at Pipps Hill.

New Campus Basildon, formerly part of SEEVIC, was based in Church Walk. It was announced in January 2017 that the college would be closing from September 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15011714.College_set_to_close_as_it_is__no_longer_economically_viable_/?ref=mr&lp=7|title=The New College Basildon Studio School, in Great Oaks, Basildon, set to close after financial struggle – Evening Echo p.10 Jan 2017|access-date=10 January 2017}}

Essex County Council's Adult Community Learning service, ACL is based at Ely House, Churchill Avenue, while there are several private providers delivering apprenticeship, traineeship and business training.

Basildon has three senior men's football clubs:

• Bowers & Pitsea F.C. play in the Isthmian League Premier
• Basildon United play in the Isthmian League North Division
• Basildon Town, which plays in the Essex Olympian Football League.{{cite web|url=http://eofl.co.uk/club-directory/basildon-town/|title=Basildon Town - The Prokit Essex Olympian Football League|access-date=26 November 2018}} Basildon also has a senior ladies team, Hashtag United Women F.C. (formerly AFC Basildon), who play in the National League Southern Premier.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/football/khassals-17-minute-hat-trick-rescues-chichester-ladies-218142|title=Khassal's 17-minute hat-trick rescues Chichester Ladies|website=www.chichester.co.uk}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/04/hours-from-folding-how-afc-basildon-became-hashtag-united-women-fc|title='Hours from folding' – how AFC Basildon became Hashtag United Women FC|newspaper=The Guardian|date=4 May 2020}}

In rugby, the town is represented in the London 2 North East League by Basildon R.F.C., while there is only local cricket played at Basildon and Pitsea C.C. in the Shepherd Neame Essex League Division 3. Basildon is home to the South Essex Gymnastics Club, where Olympic champion Max Whitlock trains.{{cite web|url=https://www.gateway978.com/blogs/drivetime/max-whitlock-in-tune-with-his-local-radio-wins-gold|title=Max Whitlock in tune with his local radio! wins Gold! - Gateway97.8 Lawrence.D p.6 November 2015|date=6 November 2015|access-date=26 November 2018}}

The town's main sporting facility is the Basildon Sporting Village,{{cite web|url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17188121.live-as-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-visit-basildon-sporting-village/|title=Live as Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Basildon Sporting Village - Daily Gazette p.30 October 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}} that opened in 2011 and is based in Gloucester Park. The Village consists of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 8 court sports hall, a climbing wall, athletics track and is home to the South Essex Gymnastics Club.{{cite web|url=https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/basildon-sporting-village/|title=About this Centre - everyoneactive|access-date=26 November 2018}} It was revealed in 2014 that more people swim in Basildon than anywhere else in the county{{cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10962357.Basildon_s_top_dog_for_swimming|title=Basildon's Top Dog for Swimming - Evening Echo|access-date=26 November 2018}} and that 3.5 million people had visited the centre since it had opened.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/11190197.35-million-visit-controversial-sporting-village/|title=3.5 million visit controversial Basildon Sporting Village - Evening Echo Burbidge.I p.5 May 2014|access-date=26 November 2018}} There are also smaller leisure centres, named The Place and Eversley Centre, located in Pitsea, which opened during the 1980s.

Basildon golf course is based in the Kingswood district of the town.{{cite web|url=https://www.englishgolf-courses.co.uk/essex/basildon.php|title=Basildon Golf Course - englishgolfcourses.co.uk|access-date=26 November 2018}}

A 2024 analysis by The Economist found Basildon to be the "most typical place in Britain'.{{Cite news |title=The most typical place in Britain is Basildon |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/10/25/the-most-typical-place-in-britain-is-basildon?utm_campaign=a.special-edition-newsletter&utm_medium=email.internal-newsletter.np&utm_source=salesforce-marketing-cloud&utm_term=20240511&utm_content=ed-picks-image-link-8&etear=nl_special_8&utm_campaign=a.special-edition-newsletter&utm_medium=email.internal-newsletter.np&utm_source=salesforce-marketing-cloud&utm_term=5/11/2024&utm_id=1879356 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}

{{Main|Basildon Town Centre}}

Image:Basildonplaza.jpg

Image:Eastgate Topshop.jpg

The town centre has a variety of high street stores. As well as shops and coffee houses in the open air East Walk and Town Square, there is the covered Eastgate Shopping Centre which is home to over 100 retailers.{{cite web|url=http://www.eastgateshoppingcentre.com/store-guide/|title=Store Guide}}

When Eastgate was completed in 1985, it was the largest covered shopping centre in Europe until the opening of the Metro Centre. Eastgate has undergone a number of facelifts since 1985, with its most recent substantial refurbishment in 2007 at a cost of more than £10m.

Further shopping facilities in the town can be found at Westgate Shopping Park, while there is a pavement market selling fresh fruit and vegetables as well as household goods, which in 2018 moved to a new location in St. Martins Square.

Outside of the town centre there are retail parks at Pipps Hill and Mayflower on the A127, while there are smaller shopping centres in Laindon and Pitsea, which is home to a famous market that opened in the 1920s. There are several smaller shopping areas

located in each of the communities.

File:Festival Leisure Park - Basildon - geograph.org.uk - 50165.jpg

Festival Leisure Park is a trading leisure park located in the north of Basildon and owned by Aviva.{{cite web | title = Leisure real estate market makes waves (appeared in Property Week February 1998) | publisher = davidlawson.co.uk |date=November 2006 | url = http://www.davidlawson.co.uk/Files/LEIS_FE8.htm

| access-date = 8 November 2006}} The Festival Leisure Park, includes 15 restaurants, a bowling and arcade centre, a family and entertainment centre with play frame and dodgem car track, two hotels, a bar, a sixteen screen Cineworld cinema and two health clubs. The Festival Leisure Park is colloquially known as "Bas Vegas". The name originated from a proposed Casino development on the site. The site was previously home to the Aquatels park which hosted a zoo, ski slope and golf range that opened in 1972,{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19701979.html|title=Basildon – A Chronological History 1970 – 1979|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419092951/http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19701979.html|archive-date=19 April 2013}} which was replaced in 1982 by a conference venue called the Festival Hall{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14536737.memories-the-day-boxing-great-muhammad-ali-came-to-basildon/|title=MEMORIES: The day boxing great Muhammad Ali came to Basildon - Evening Echo p.4 June 2016|access-date=3 December 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19801984.html|title=Basildon- A chronological history 1980-84basildon.com|access-date=3 December 2018}} which was home to the MFI World Matchplay darts championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.dartsmad.com/dartabase/darts_results2.aspx?calid=344|title=Darts Results - MFI World Matchplay - Darts Mad|access-date=21 December 2015}}

A wakeboarding complex also opened in 2012, attracting both professionals and amateurs alike{{cite web | title = I'll take you for a spin (appeared in Basildon Recorder) | publisher = basildonrecorde.co.uk |date=April 2012 | url = http://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/news/9638909.I___ll_take_you_for_a_spin_/

| access-date = 10 April 2012}}

The Arts Centre was the first theatre in Basildon, opening in 1968 in a temporary facility behind the then temporary council offices, on the site of the current Westgate shopping park. This was renamed 'The Towngate Theatre and Arts Centre' in 1976, before being replaced by a new purpose built theatre as part of the new Basildon Centre, on the opposite side for the former Towngate Road.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/13794649.scenes-from-our-towngate-archive/|title=Every picture tells a story of Basildon's very own theatre - Evening Echo Richmond.M p.1 October 2015|access-date=26 November 2018}}

In 1989, the culture and history of the town was documented by the newly re-opened Towngate Theatre, when it commissioned a community play from Arnold Wesker for the town's 40th anniversary. The potted history that Wesker called "Boerthel's Hill"{{cite web|url=http://www.arnoldwesker.com/plays.asp?workID=20|title=Beorhtel's Hill - arnoldwesker.com|access-date=26 November 2018}} was acted out by a 125 members of the community recording a fascinating history of London's East Enders, who were the first Basildon residents.

Basildon currently has two cinemas: Cineworld and Vue. The latter was owned previously by Empire Cinemas, but was purchased as part of $124m deal to purchase five cinemas;{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cineworld-completes-124m-deal-for-five-empire-cinemas/5107103.article|title=Cineworld completes $124m deal for five Empire cinemas - ScreenDaily Grater.T p.28 July 2016|access-date=26 November 2018}} it had opened originally as a UCI.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14631535.staff-at-basildon-cinema-celebrate-18-years-of-business/|title=Staff at Basildon Cinema celebrate 18 years of business - Evening Echo Critchell.M p.21 July 2016|access-date=26 November 2018}}

Previously, Basildon had an ABC Cinema, which was built in 1971 and was based in North Gunnells. This changed hands several times becoming a Cannon and a Robins cinema before closing in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/24134|title=Robins Cinema - cinematreasures.org|access-date=26 November 2018}} The building until August 2022 was home to the British Heart Foundation store.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9279199.charity-shop-to-open-up-old-basildon-cinema/|title=Charity shop to open up old Basildon cinema - Evening Echo Hills.M p.1 October 2011|access-date=26 November 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/shopping/british-heart-foundation-close-popular-7411512|title=British Heart Foundation to close popular Basildon furniture store for good with the next closest shop miles away|newspaper=Essex Live|date=6 August 2022}} Prior to this, a cinema in Pitsea, originally called The Broadway from 1930, before changing its name in 1955 as The Century, operated until its closure in 1966 when it was converted to a Bingo hall.{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/pitsea/pbcc.html|title=Pitsea Broadway: Century Cinema - basildon.com|access-date=3 December 2018}}

In 2018, planning permission was granted for a new ten screen Empire cinema, along with new restaurants on the site of Freedom House in Basildon town centre,{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16376170.cinema-is-coming-to-basildon-town-centre-after-plans-approved/|title=Cinema is coming to Basildon town centre after plans approved - Evening Echo Hough.K p.25 July 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}} with demolition of the current buildings on site starting in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/18194801.east-square-development-basildon-gets-new-contractor/|title=East Square development in Basildon gets new contractor - Evening Echo published 29 January 2020|access-date=17 March 2020}} As of January 2023, the partially completed cinema has not opened.{{cite news|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23286968.will-basildons-new-east-square-empire-cinema-open/|title=When will Basildon's new East Square Empire cinema open|newspaper=Evening Echo|date=31 January 2023}} As of July 2024, the cinema was opened under Vue's management.

Basildon Central Library is now based in the Basildon Centre{{cite web|url=http://webapps1.essexcc.gov.uk/findalibrary/libdetail.asp?LibID=6|title=Welcome to Essex County Council|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110020858/http://webapps1.essexcc.gov.uk/findalibrary/libdetail.asp?LibID=6|archive-date=10 November 2014}} (since 1989), but had previously been in prefabs next to the temporary council offices on Fodderwick. There are also numerous smaller libraries across Basildon: Clay Hill Road in Vange,{{Cite web|url=https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/library-locations-and-opening-times/vange-library/|title=Vange Library}} Pitsea Centre in Pitsea,{{Cite web|url=https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/library-locations-and-opening-times/pitsea-library/|title = Pitsea Library}} Fryerns Library in Whitmore Way, and Laindon Library on New Century Road Laindon.

Basildon is home to the Haven Plotlands Museum and was previously home to the National Motorboat Museum, which had been based at Wat Tyler Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8365103.exhibits-gathering-dust-after-motorboat-museum-closes/|title=Exhibits gather dust after motorboat museum closes - Evening Echo Austin. J p.2 September 2010|access-date=28 November 2018}} Currently there is not a museum dedicated to the history of Basildon, though plans had previously been made to site one at Wat Tyler Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8675122.basildon-borough-museum-and-heritage-group-may-get-new-home-soon/|title= Basildon Borough Museum and Heritage group may get new home soon- Evening Echo p.19 November 2010|access-date=28 November 2018}} As of 2018 there is still a campaign to have a museum created.{{cite web|url=http://www.yellowad.co.uk/article.cfm?id=136029&headline=EXCLUSIVE:%20Campaigners%20gather%20outside%20council%20offices%20to%20call%20for%20Basildon%20heritage%20museum§ionIs=news&searchyear=2018|title=Exclusive: Campaigners gather outside council offices to call for Basildon heritage museum - The Yellow Advertiser Thomson. C p.10 October 2018|date=8 March 2016|access-date=28 November 2018}}

Image:Pitsea War Memorial Howard Park west.jpg|Pitsea War Memorial in Howards Park (Grade II{{NHLE|num=1392754|desc=War Memorial, Basildon|access-date=4 December 2018}})

Image:Northlands Park, Basildon - geograph.org.uk - 88826.jpg|Northlands Park

Image:Ruined Hawthorn in Dunton Plotlands - geograph.org.uk - 1375134.jpg|Langdon Nature Reserve

Basildon was designed with large amounts of green spaces with Gloucester Park dominating the centre of Basildon. Kent View Recreation ground in Vange{{cite web|url=http://www3.basildon.gov.uk/Website2/newsroom.nsf/0/6CAC167142C3E90E802582A2003DDE63?OpenDocument|title=In the news:- Kent View Road Recreation Ground gets Fields in Trust protection - Basildon Council p.4 June 2018|access-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164827/http://www3.basildon.gov.uk/Website2/newsroom.nsf/0/6CAC167142C3E90E802582A2003DDE63?OpenDocument|archive-date=28 November 2018|url-status=dead}} and Northlands Park in Pitsea are the other large green spaces. Other formal parks include Mopsies Park in Timberlog Lane,{{cite web|url=https://sports-facilities.co.uk/sites/view/6017372|title=Mopsies Park - sportsfacilities.co.uk|access-date=26 November 2018}} and Howards Park in Pitsea.

Basildon is also home to Wat Tyler Country Park which opened in 1984; Marks Hill Nature Reserve (opened 1981);{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16336372.nature-reserve-is-protected-by-trust/|title=Nature reserve is protected by trust - Evening Echo Cornell.A p.5 July 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}} Vange Hill; One Tree Hill Country Park; Langdon Hill Country Parks and the RSPB Nature Reserve at Bowers Marshes.{{cite web|url=http://www.essexwalks.com/walks/bowers_marsh.html#page=description|title=Bowers marsh - essexwalks.com|access-date=26 November 2018}} Essex Wildlife Trust run a large reserve at Langdon.

Even though Basildon is a new town, there are still traces of its historical past visible. Old roads that once connected the villages have been incorporated into the new town: Clay Hill Road, Timberlog Lane, Rectory Road, Pound Lane, Church Road and Dry Street. Dry Street is a perfect example of old Basildon, as it is an undeveloped country lane that runs through One Tree Hill and Langdon Hill Country Parks and is home to several listed properties.{{NHLE|num=1122258|desc=Thatched Cottage, Dry Street, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}}{{NHLE|num=1170028|desc=Rose Cottage, Dry Street, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}}{{NHLE|num=1170033|desc=Dry Street Farmhouse, Dry Street, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}}

Other than St Martin's Church, most of the historical parish churches still exist. St Nicholas (13th century and Grade 1 listed{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/642/Listed-buildings-register|title=Listed buildings register - Basildon Council|access-date=4 December 2018}}) sits proudly over Laindon, from where Basildon can be seen clearly, however St Peter's (13th century Grade II* listed{{NHLE|num=1122250|desc=Church of St Peter, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}}){{cite web|url=http://www.essexinfo.net/st-peter-s-church-nevendon/|title=St. Peter's Church Nevendon – Home|access-date=21 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102103913/http://www.essexinfo.net/st-peter-s-church-nevendon/|archive-date=2 January 2014|url-status=usurped}} at Nevendon is hidden behind Sainsbury's and is little known by its residents. St Michael's at Pitsea is said to be 13th century, but was rebuilt in 1870{{Cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/pitsea/pitsea.html|title=Pitsea - The History|website=www.basildon.com}} and now only its Bell Tower remains on Pitsea Mount. The village of Basildon's parish church, Holy Cross (Grade II listed{{NHLE|num=1122252|desc=Church of the Holy Cross, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}}) can still be seen in Church Road, while Vange's 14th-century church All Saints was remodelled in the 19th century and is set back from the London Road and is Grade II listed.{{NHLE|num=1122235|desc=Church of All Saints, London Road |access-date=4 December 2018}}

Other buildings of note are: the Barge Inn at Vange; the Broadway at Pitsea, with its mock Tudor architecture built by Harold Howard in 1929; Cromwell Manor, formerly Pitsea Hall Grade II listed,{{NHLE|num=1122236|desc=Pitsea Hall, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}} by Pitsea railway station that dates from the 15th century; and Great Chalvedon Hall, Grade II listed{{NHLE|num=1305868|desc=Great Chalvedon Hall |access-date=4 December 2018}} and now a pub in Tyefields, which is reputed to date from the 16th century. Nevendon Hall was built in 1789 and is Grade II listed.{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/1500-1799.html|title=Basildon History - A Chronological History|access-date=28 November 2018}}{{NHLE|num=1170802|desc=Nevendon hall, Basildon|access-date=4 December 2018}} The moat at the former site of Boetlers, a Tudor house demolished in the 1960s, is located near to Holy Cross Church.{{cite web|url=http://standrewholycross.org/wordpress/about-us/history/|title=History - Holy Cross Church – A brief history|website=standrewholycross.org|access-date=3 June 2020}}

One notable building is Little Coopers Farmhouse, which was originally located in Takeley. It was designated a Grade II building in 1980. In the late 1980s, due to redevelopment, the whole structure was dismantled and re-built at the Wat Tyler Country Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19801989.html|title=Basildon – A Chronological History 1980 – 1989|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119092122/http://www.basildon.com/history/chronology/19801989.html|archive-date=19 January 2016}}

On the west side of town, the Dunton Plotlands area was occupied by small rural dwellings in the mid twentieth century. Today, it forms Langdon Nature Reserve.

In 2008, a National Lottery funded heritage trail was started to highlight the 1960s architecture.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2008/jun/02/heritage.architecture|title=Oxford, Edinburgh, York ... and Basildon? New town paves way for heritage trail - The Guardian Kennedy.M p.2 Jun 2008|website=TheGuardian.com|date=2 June 2008|access-date=26 November 2018}}

Basildon's local radio stations are BBC Essex, Heart East, Greatest Hits Radio East and its own community radio station, which is aimed towards the residents of Basildon, East Thurrock and its surrounding areas called Gateway 97.8{{cite web|url=http://www.yellowad.co.uk/article.cfm?id=113443&headline=Pat%20Sharp%20reveals%20Fun%20House%20revival%20wish%20as%20he%20launches%20weekly%20radio%20show%20at%20Basildon%27s%20Gateway%2097.8§ionIs=news&searchyear=2016|title=Pat Sharp reveals Fun House revival wish as he launches weekly radio show at Basildon's Gateway 97.8 - The Yellow Advertiser Thomson.C p.15 July 2016|date=8 March 2016|access-date=3 December 2018}} which broadcasts from the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Basildon is within the BBC London and ITV London region. Television signals are received from Crystal Palace TV transmitter.{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Crystal_Palace|title=Full Freeview on the Crystal Palace (Greater London, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=30 January 2024}} BBC East and ITV Anglia can also be received from the Sudbury TV transmitter {{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Sudbury|title=Full Freeview on the Sudbury (Suffolk, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=30 January 2024}} as well as BBC South East and ITV Meridian from the Bluebell Hill TV transmitter.{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Bluebell_Hill|title=Full Freeview on the Bluebell Hill (Medway, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=30 January 2024}} Basildon Development Corporation had installed a Cable Television service into many of its home, called Rediffusion, but this service stopped during the 1990s. The service was replaced by United Artists Cable which were based in the town; this is now Virgin Media, although the customer service operation closed in the 2000s.

Since 1969, The Evening Echo newspaper offices have been based on the Pipps Hill Industrial Estate. The town has been home to The Yellow Advertiser since 1976.

Basildon was the setting for the BBC programme White Gold{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-39972827|title=White Gold: Inbetweeners writer honours Essex roots - bbcnews Halford.J p.24 May 2017|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2017|access-date=26 November 2018}} with filming taking place in Basildon Town Centre. Channel 5 programme Extreme Hair Wars was set at JET training academy in Basildon.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15865054.basildon-hair-salon-takes-centre-stage-on-television/|title=Basildon hair salon takes centre stage on television - Evening Echo Hough.K p.18 Jan 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}} The fictional character Nellie Bertram, played by Catherine Tate in the US comedy television series The Office was said to have been born in Basildon.

Basildon had a great influence on the 1980s music scene, with bands Depeche Mode and Yazoo, and later by Alison Moyet in her solo career and Vince Clarke in his role with Erasure.

The documentary film New Town Utopia by Christopher Ian Smith was made about Basildon.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/03/new-town-utopia-review-basildon-essex-documentary|title=New Town Utopia review – how Basildon was delivered to the future - The Guardian Bradshaw.P p.3 May 2018|website=TheGuardian.com|date=3 May 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}} Basildon also hosts Europe's only Underwater film studio that can be inside or out, as it has a removable roof.{{cite web|url=https://www.theknowledgeonline.com/the-knowledge-bulletin/post/2014/01/23/International-drama-films-at-The-Underwater-Studios|title=International Drama Films at The Underwater Studios - The Knowledge Daniels.N p.23 January 2014|access-date=28 November 2018}} The studios have been used to film scenes in the Anglo-French drama The Tunnel and for the film 47 Meters Down.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2017/06/12/afraid-of-sharks-47-meters-down-cast-faced-real-life-danger-pee-filled-pool-to-make-movie/|title=Afraid of sharks? '47 Meters Down' cast faced real-life danger, pee-filled pool to make movie - Los Angeles Daily News Strauss.B p.12 June 2017|website=Los Angeles Daily News|date=12 June 2017|access-date=28 November 2018}}

Basildon was the focus of Magic Party Place by photographer CJ Clarke. "{{sic|Comprising |hide=y|of}} a largely white working class community, the town is one of the most statistically average places in England", he said.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2016/sep/30/cj-clarke-magic-party-place-basildon-photography|title=Welcome to Basildon: the middle of Middle England – in pictures - The Guardian p.30 September 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 September 2016|access-date=26 November 2018}}

Caron Freeborn, (previously Severn), (1966–2019) author, poet and performer, grew up in Basildon{{cite web|url=https://www.duendeliterary.org/steve-armitage-caron-freeborn|title=What the neighbourhood came to|website=Duende Literacy|date=February 2014}} and attended Fryerns Comprehensive. Later she attended Lucy Cavendish college at Cambridge as a mature student, then as a teacher/lecturer in creative writing including poetry. Freeborn obtained her master's degree in Renaissance literature. She published three novels: Three Blind Mice (2001), described by Marian Keyes as "a dark and compelling love story of a genre that could be called East End noir"; Prohibitions (2004), a literary thriller again set in the East End; and Presenting … the Fabulous O'Learys (2017), a take on King Lear, updated to the 1980s. Georges Perec is my hero (2015) showcased Freeborn's poetic voice(s). Much of Georges Perec is my hero celebrates the real, the brutal (including embracing the brutalist architecture of Basildon), with many poems and photographs based on the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/english/caron-freeborn-1966-2020-an-appreciation/|title=Caron Freeborn (1966-2020): an appreciation|website=Open University|date=11 March 2020}}

Image:Church Garden - geograph.org.uk - 751899.jpg|Church Garden: the area in front of St. Martin's Church in Basildon Town Centre is landscaped.

Image:St. Martin's Bell Tower - geograph.org.uk - 47070.jpg|St. Martin's Bell Tower

Image:Basildonflats.jpg|Brooke House, showing its V-shaped pylons

IMAGE:The Treble Clef Basildon wide.jpg|Man Aspires by A. J. Poole

St. Martin's Church in Basildon town centre is a modern structure. The church was consecrated in 1962 by the Bishop of Chelmsford. A freestanding glass bell tower was built in 1999 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stmartinsbasildon.co.uk/around-the-church/|title=St Martins of Tours | Around the Church|website=www.stmartinsbasildon.co.uk}}

Although there are a number of tall buildings in central Basildon, there are also many newly constructed buildings closer to the 'Basildon Enterprise Corridor' situated in North Basildon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.essex.gov.uk/Environment%20Planning/Planning/Transport-planning/Travel-improvements/Documents/BEC%20Final%20for%20printing.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913171058/http://www.essex.gov.uk/Environment%20Planning/Planning/Transport-planning/Travel-improvements/Documents/BEC%20Final%20for%20printing.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Planning Dept|archivedate=13 September 2014}}

The largest and tallest structure in the new town's town centre is Brooke House, a 49m / 161 ft high 14-storey residential tower block that fronts the west side of the town centre's East Square. Dating from 1962, it was designed by Sir Basil Spence and Anthony B. Davies, with Ove Arup and Partners as the structural engineers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20141014004129/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/default.aspx?pid=2&id=472020 English Heritage, listing information for Brooke House]{{cite web |url=http://www.ribapix.com/index.php?a=indexes&s=item&key=IYToxOntpOjA7czo3OiJQaWxvdGlzIjt9&pg=137 |title=Royal Institute of British Architects |website=www.ribapix.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014013205/http://www.ribapix.com/index.php?a=indexes&s=item&key=IYToxOntpOjA7czo3OiJQaWxvdGlzIjt9&pg=137 |archive-date=14 October 2014}} It has a 1960s Brutalist design, elevated on eight massive V-shaped concrete pylons. The building was chosen to have a residential function, as opposed to commercial office space, to retain life in the town centre after the shops had closed. Shops were positioned to the rear of the building, with Brooke House acting as a covered forecourt. It was conceived as a structure to define Basildon's urban status and to act as marker to identify the town centre's location within a largely low-rise settlement set in a flat landscape.{{Cite web |url=http://www.basildon.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=4474&p=0 |title=Jennie Humphrey, "Basildon Town Centre Heritage Assessment", 2012 |access-date=13 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213819/http://www.basildon.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=4474&p=0 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} It was named after the then Minister of Housing and Local Government, Henry Brooke MP. The building was given Grade II listing in 1998.{{NHLE|num=1271497|desc=Brooke House, Basildon |access-date=4 December 2018}}

East of Brooke House is East Square, a sunken open-air public plaza accessed from Brooke House by a monumental staircase and a curved ramp which was listed in 1998 as Grade II.{{NHLE|num=1271498|desc=Retaining Walls, Ramp, Steps, Bench and raised paving |access-date=4 December 2018}} Formerly the east side of the square was fronted by Freedom House, containing shops on two levels, and the north side by the Post Office building, a 5-story structure. Formerly on the wall of Freedom House is the oldest piece of public sculpture in the new town: installed in 1957, it is a wire and aluminium relief by the sculptor A. J. Poole titled Man Aspires."Our Basildon, exploring past, present and future, heritage trail", http://www.visitessex.com/discover/cultural/Basildon_Heritage_Trail.aspxGeorge Thorpe, "Treble Clef's 54-year secret solved at last", The Echo, 5 January 2011. [http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8770053.Treble_Clef___s_54_year_secret_solved_at_last/] The whole ensemble was designed to create a formal setting for Brooke House, and had a similar Brutalist design, though softened by other architectural features. Freedom House was demolished, along with the Post Office building as part of the new cinema construction in 2019. The town centre extends from East Square towards the south-west. Down the middle of this zone runs a rectangular raised pool. Within the pool is a bronze sculpture and fountain, titled "Mother and Child", by the sculptor Maurice Lambert and dating from 1959 which was listed as Grade II in 1998.{{NHLE|num=1271562|desc=Raised Pool and Sculpture |access-date=4 December 2018}}

On the upper level of Eastgate is the Cats Cradle Pussiwillow III Clock. It was created by Rowland Emett in 1981 and was originally placed outside what is now ASDA on the Lower Mall of the shopping centre.{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/essexrunner/4907817938/ |title=Basildon Eastgate | Flickr - Photo Sharing! |website=Flickr.com |date=19 August 2010 |access-date=31 December 2015}} It was officially unveiled by Michael Bentine.

The Barstable School building first opened on 1 March 1962 and was designed by the Finnish-British architect Cyril Mardall (of YRM Architects,{{Cite web|url=https://www.e-architect.com/architects/yrm|title=YRM Architects, Architecture Practice|first=David|last=McManus|date=10 February 2010|website=e-architect}} Yorke, Rosenberg and Mardall). The building was listed in 1993 and is Grade II listed.{{NHLE|num=1235004|desc=Barstable School |access-date=4 December 2018}} It is now home to the lower school of the Basildon Academies.

Basildon has gone through several regenerations – a few highlights are:{{cite web| title = Basildon Renaissance Update| publisher = davidlawson.co.uk| url = http://www.basildonrenaissance.co.uk/admin/filesystem/Publications/455BRP%20ren%20mag%20v8%20lowres.pdf| access-date = 26 December 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110905023822/http://www.basildonrenaissance.co.uk/admin/filesystem/Publications/455BRP%20ren%20mag%20v8%20lowres.pdf| archive-date = 5 September 2011|url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}

• Investment in the Basildon Enterprise Corridor, a large business area.
• The creation of a new wetland nature reserve in the Thames Marshes by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Land Restoration Trust, Basildon District Council and Veolia.
• A review of the district's housing, with investment in housing estates such as Craylands, Five Links and Felmores which will be re-designed to allow for less trouble and having more streets with roads, rather than a street with just pavement.
• The regeneration of Pitsea town centre.

Some future plans include:

• The regeneration of Basildon and Laindon town centres.
• The creation of a health and education research centre near Basildon University Hospital.
• There is a proposal for creating Dunton Garden Suburb on land between Basildon and Brentwood. This proposal may have 6,000 homes, together with retail, commercial and leisure uses. This is a joint proposal of the two councils and a public consultation ended in March 2015.{{cite web|title=Dunton Garden Suburb – Joint Project with Brentwood Borough Council|url=http://www.basildon.gov.uk/dunton|website=Basildon Council|access-date=31 May 2015}} The proposal has been met with criticism from all political parties{{cite news|title=Parties unite to oppose Dunton Garden Suburb plans|url=http://www.halsteadgazette.co.uk/news/south_essex_news/11860209.Parties_unite_to_oppose_Dunton_Garden_Suburb_plans/|access-date=31 May 2015|work=Halstead Gazette|date=17 March 2015}} and the residents group Residents Against Inappropriate Development{{cite web|title=Say No to Dunton Garden Suburb|url=http://www.raid.org.uk/|website=Residents Against Inappropriate Development|access-date=31 May 2015}}
• In 2018 planning permission was granted for a new 10 screen Empire Cinema along with new restaurants on the site of Freedom House in Basildon town centre.

Basildon's twin towns include:

• {{flagicon|Germany}} Heiligenhaus (Germany)[https://web.archive.org/web/20051123150606/http://www.basildon.gov.uk/80256B7C004D0BCB/vWeb/wpEFEN6ABEGA Basildon Council – Basildon's Twin Towns, Heiligenhaus & Meaux]
• {{flagicon|France}} Meaux (France){{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|title=British towns twinned with French towns [via WaybackMachine.com]|access-date=20 July 2013|archive-date=5 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}

{{Further|Basildon University Hospital|Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust|List of hospitals in Essex}}

{{Div col}}

• Perry Bamonte – guitarist, The Cure
• Andy Barcham – footballer{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 | year = 2010 | publisher = Mainstream Publishing | isbn = 978-1-84596-601-0 | page = 32 }}
• Jay Howard – racing driver{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15416250.howard-indy-500-is-racing-pinnacle/|title=Basildon-born Indy 500 driver Jay Howard on his life on the track, his life-threatening crash and 'cherishing every moment' with his son - Evening Echo Rust.D p. 17 July 2017|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Brian Belo – winner of Big Brother 2007{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46097909|title=The end of Big Brother: How many winners do you remember? - bbcnews p.5 November 2018|work=BBC News|date=5 November 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Stuart Bingham – former World champion snooker player.{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghambilliards.com/blog/stuart-bingham-wins-2009-paul-hunter-english-open.html|title=Birmingham Billiards – Blog -|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803212211/http://www.birminghambilliards.com/blog/stuart-bingham-wins-2009-paul-hunter-english-open.html|archive-date=3 August 2009}}
• Emma Blackery – singer-songwriter and YouTuber{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/shortcuts/2017/sep/13/will-singer-emma-blackery-benefit-from-the-iphone-x-factor|title=Will singer Emma Blackery benefit from the iPhone X factor? - The Guardian p.13 September 2017|website=TheGuardian.com|date=13 September 2017|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Daniel Brooks golfer on the European Tour{{cite web

|url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=35668/index.html |title= European Tour – Player Profile |publisher=European Tour |access-date=12 May 2014}}

• Darren Caskey – ex-Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Reading F.C. footballer{{cite web|url=https://www.fastscore.com/people/darren-caskey|title=Darren Caskey Profile and Career|work=FastScore.com}}
• Keith Chapman – creator of Bob The Builder{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/i-m-totally-anonymous-the-millionaire-behind-your-children-s-favourite-tv-shows-20181030-p50crh.html|title='I'm totally anonymous': the man who has made millions from your children's favourite TV shows|first=Gerry|last=Smith|date=29 October 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
• Mark Crick – photographer and author{{cite news |title= If Kafka made the dinner... |author= Catherine Milner |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/3321254/If-Kafka-made-the-dinner....html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/3321254/If-Kafka-made-the-dinner....html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |date= 27 August 2005 |access-date=27 May 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}
• Depeche Mode – electronic music band, formed in 1980 in Basildon
• Martin GoreMiller, Jonathan, Stripped:Depeche Mode, p3
• Andy Fletcher{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/apr/18/alison-moyet-smashed-gold-discs|title=Alison Moyet: 'I smashed all my gold discs. There were hundreds'|author=Paul Lester|work=The Guardian|location=London}}
• Dave Gahan{{cite web|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/10184-depeche-mode-a-broken-frame-anniversary-2|title=A Broken Frame At 30: A Tour Of Depeche Mode's Basildon|work=The Quietus}}
• Vince Clarke – currently a member of Erasure
• Bob Downs – former professional cyclist{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=8330|title=Bob Downs - cyclingarchives.com|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Josh Dubovie – singer, Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Norway{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5059899.Basildon_s_Josh_Dubovie_wins_through_to_Eurovision_final/|title=Basildon's Josh Dubovie wins through to Eurovision final - Evening Echo p.12 March 2010|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Ritchie Edhouse - darts player and winner of the 2024 European Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/cy4nn91ykvwo|title='Madhouse' Edhouse lands shock European title|website=BBC|date=27 October 2024}}
• Justin Edinburgh – ex-Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Portsmouth F.C. and Southend United F.C.{{Hugman|5737|Justin Edinburgh|access-date=3 April 2017}}
• Sophie Hinchliffe – cleaning{{Cite book|last=Hinch|first=Mrs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=weDuDwAAQBAJ|title=This Is Me: The Sunday Times No 1 Bestseller 2020|date=1 October 2020|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-0-241-45431-2|language=en}}
• Michael Kightly – footballer, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southend United and Grays Athletic{{cite book| editor-last = Hugma | editor-first = Barry J. | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–0 | publisher = Mainstream| year = 2008| isbn = 978-1-84596-324-8}}
• Kunt and the Gang – musical comedian{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/21/edinburgh-festival-brexit-europe|title=Poor Rudolf Bing must be spinning in his grave |newspaper=The Guardian|author=Lee. S |date=21 August 2016|accessdate=26 November 2018}}
• Robert Marlow – singer{{cite web|url=http://www.newtownutopia.com/NewTownUtopia-EPK.pdf|title=newtownutopia Smith.CI|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Terry Marsh – boxer{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16314620.terry-marsh-loses-court-appeal-over-assault-conviction/|title=Terry Marsh loses court appeal over assault conviction - Evening Echo Feehan. K p. 26 June 2018|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Eamonn Martin – athlete and winner of the 1993 London Marathon elite men's race{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/10365684.eamonn-martin-remembers-his-london-marathon-win-20-years-on/|title=Eamonn Martin remembers his London Marathon win 20 years on - Evening Echo Goad.R p.19 April 2013|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Conor Mason – singer-songwriter and guitarist from Nothing but Thieves{{cite web | url=https://www.nbthieves.com/about | title=Nothing but Thieves About Page | website=Nothing About Thieves| date=30 June 2023 }}
• Alison Moyet – singer{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |author1=Colin Larkin |edition= |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-85712-595-8 |page=14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=RA14 Extract of page 14]
• QBoy – rapper{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/qboy-hip-hop/#gs.fBhASJ8|title=I went from being a gay hip-hop star to depressed and broke – here's how I survived - gaystarnews p.14 August 2016|date=14 August 2016|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Gemma Ray – musician, singer, composer and producer{{cite web|url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/16121/gemma-ray-milk-for-your-motors|title=Gemma Ray – Milk For Your Motors - Mojo Barnes.M p. 18 August 2014|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Scott Robinson, singer from Five{{cite web|url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/14128774.five-singer-scott-robinson-looking-forward-to-panto-debut/|title=Five singer Scott Robinson leads the cast for the Princes Theatre pantomime - The Daily Gazette D'Arcy-Jones.N p. 8 December 2015|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• Simon Segars – CEO ARM Holdings, born in Basildon, went to Woodlands School{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/simon-segars-interview-looking-forward-to-the-future-and-the-internet-of-things-9789959.html |title=Simon Segars: Looking forward to the future and the 'internet of things' | location=London | work=The Independent}}
• Joan Sims – actress{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/1412026.stm|title=Joan Sims obituary|publisher=BBC News|date=28 June 2001|access-date=9 June 2020}}
• Casey Stoney – head coach of NWSL's San Diego Wave FC & former professional footballer{{cite web|url=https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/casey-stoney-captain-leader-fawsl-legend#:~:text=Born%20in%20Basildon%2C%20Stoney%20first,France%20in%202000%2C%20aged%2018.|title=Casey Stoney: Captain, leader, FA WSL legend|website=The FA|access-date=28 April 2024}}
• Ellie Taylor – British comedian{{cite news |title=Ellie's made up to be BBC presenter |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/9698952.basildons-ellie-taylor-made-up-to-be-bbc-presenter-on-snog-marry-avoid/ |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=Echo |language=en}}
• Kara Tointon – actress, Dawn Swann in EastEnders and film The Football Factory{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/NEWS/14993574.basildon-star-kara-tointon-finds-her-voice-in-itvs-the-halcyon/|title=Basildon star Kara Tointon finds her voice in ITV's the Halcyon – Evening Echo Richmond.M p.30 December 2016|access-date=26 November 2018}}
• James Tomkins – footballer, West Ham United FC{{cite web|url=https://www.fastscore.com/people/james-tomkins|title=James Tomkins Profile and Career|work=FastScore.com}}
• Denise Van Outen – actress{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/famousbrits.php?id=2261 |title=Denise Van Outen, famous people from Basildon |publisher=Information-britain.co.uk |date=22 June 2007 |access-date=6 August 2009}}
• Vincent O'Connell playwright, film maker{{cite web | url=http://www.vincentoconnell.co.uk/about/ | title=About | date=12 March 2013 }}

{{div col end}}

• New Holland Agriculture

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Basildon}}

• [http://basildon.gov.uk Basildon Council]
• [http://www.basildonheritage.org.uk/ Basildon Heritage]
• [http://basildonhistory.wix.com/essex#!basildon/c1m74 Basildon Borough History – Basildon]
• [http://www.basildon.com/history/home.html Basildon History Online]
• [http://www.gateway978.com/ Gateway 97.8] – Community Radio station
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111010015407/http://www.basildonradio.co.uk/ Basildon Radio] – Basildon local Internet Radio station
• {{OpenDomesday|TQ7189|basildon|Basildon}}

{{Basildon}}

{{Essex}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns in Essex

Category:Planned communities established in the 1940s

Category:Unparished areas in Essex

Category:Former civil parishes in Essex

Category:Borough of Basildon