Langdon Lake & Meadows
40ac/16ha
Grid ref: TQ 661 878
Updated 31/12/2023.
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A recent addition to the Langdon nature reserve, this is former plotlands and agricultural land on the west side of the Langdon Hills ridge. It has a large lake, meadows and broadleaved woodland.
The meadows are unimproved and have a variety of flowers and butterflies, but are particularly important as a habitat of the grizzled skipper butterfly. The top meadow is managed to maintain a mosaic of scrub compartments and rides of varying widths and grass heights, to suit this butterfly.
It attracts a variety of birds, including raptors such as hobby, kestrel and sparrowhawk. Little grebe, wigeon, and common tern breed on the lake.
Bats feed over the lake on warm nights.
Visiting
Between the A127 and the A13 4.5 miles east of M25 junction 29. Signposted from the north from the B148 turning off the A127 and from the south from the A13 – follow the brown-and-white duck signs.
Laindon station on the Fenchurch Street–Southend line is less than 800m from the reserve. Frequent bus services run from Basildon town centre to Laindon station, to Langdon Hills and to Highview Avenue.
Accessible at all times.
Something of interest all the year round: spring for breeding birds and early flowers such as primroses; summer for orchids and other flowers, and for birdsong, autumn for fruit and berries and for late butterflies; winter to see huge flocks of migrant thrushes and perhaps a long-eared owl.
Call the Centre on 01268 419095 for more information and for details of events and activities for young and old.
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