Dating back to the Saxon period, Langdon simply means "long hill". The park sits on a 385ft crescent-shaped hilly ridge which extends from Dunton to Vange. There are two main areas totalling approximately 400 acres (or the size of 200 full size football pitches), One Tree Hill and Westley Heights.
The park is open 365 days of the year from 8.00am until dusk with ample parking. It is managed by the Thurrock Ranger Service in agreement with Essex County Council Ranger Service, who own 20% of the park.
The park has panoramic views over the Thames Estuary and across to London. There are informal picnic areas and ancient woodlands dating back to prehistoric times with flower-rich grassland meadows, areas of dense scrubland and a good network of footpaths and horse/cycle tracks linking to surrounding countryside. The lower car park at One Tree Hill is a good place to start a ride and leave your horse boxes.
There is an abundance of native trees including the rare wild service tree. In the spring the woodland is a carpet of bluebells and other woodland flowers. The park is a good place for birdwatching. When you walk around you may hear or even see all three native species of woodpecker. Stop a while and let the birds come to you at the winter bird feeding station. In the summer the colourful meadows are alive with the sounds of grasshoppers and crickets and visited by a large variety of butterflies.
Using the outdoors as a change of scenery to the normal work place has become increasingly popular for team building as employers have recognised the potential of the Country Park and the Rangers' experience in setting challenges for groups to work together, encouraging participants to put aside their normal constraints and inhibitions in order to succeed.
Langdon Hills Country Park was awarded the Green Flag Award in 2010 and 2011. The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces across England and Wales.
For more information, visit the Green Flag Award Scheme.
There is a team of Rangers who work a ten-day rota system to ensure that two Rangers are on duty each weekend. They perform many tasks, from tree-felling to hay making, from educational visits to shows and demonstrations, as well as making sure the park is clean and tidy.
At Langdon Hills they are ably assisted by the Friends of Langdon Hills, a group of volunteers with their own constitution, insurance, equipment and machinery, all of which is used to help the Rangers manage and run events at the park and promote the Langdon Hills Country Park throughout the area.
With help from a local expert we are able to offer power point presentations and talks that can be given in the classroom.
For more information contact our Education Ranger or alternatively you can contact Frank Last directly on: 07966 378366
The access paths have been built with funding from the Pitsea Cleanaway Trust and WREN (Waste, Recycling, Environmental), Essex and Thurrock Councils.
A variety of public facilities are available at locations throughout Langdon Hills Country Park:
For more information on Langdon Hills Country Park please contact:
For more information on country parks in Essex please visit:
