Basildon, UK: Where the Rain Smells Like Damp Concrete and Dreams Go to Retire
okay, so. basildon. i didn’t plan to end up here. honestly, the numbers - 7290689 and 1826481004 - they just… appeared on a napkin at a gig in Bristol. felt like a sign, you know? a cosmic nudge. and here i am.
it’s… quiet. like, really quiet. i just checked and it’s hovering around 10 degrees celsius right now, feels like 9.3. the humidity is a solid 82%, so everything’s got this damp sheen to it. it smells like wet concrete and slightly disappointed dreams. not exactly the vibe i was going for, but hey, life, right?
I’m staying in this little Airbnb near *Laindon Park. it’s… functional. the owner, a lovely woman named Brenda, left me a plate of digestive biscuits and a pamphlet about local gardening clubs. bless her heart.
I spent most of today wandering around. Basildon Market was surprisingly lively, though mostly filled with stalls selling discount kitchenware and slightly suspicious-looking sausages. i overheard someone - a bloke with a truly magnificent mustache - saying that the best fish and chips in town are at “The Codfather” on Festival Hall. apparently, they use proper cod, not that haddock nonsense. i’ll have to check it out. you can find some reviews on TripAdvisor, though take them with a grain of salt.
“Don’t go to the Festival Leisure Park after dark. Just… don’t. Trust me.”
that was a drunk bloke at the pub. he seemed to know what he was talking about.
Speaking of pubs, the Golden Heart is a decent spot for a pint. it’s got that classic, slightly sticky-carpeted pub vibe. i chatted with a few locals. they were… reserved. polite, but reserved. someone told me that basildon gets a bad rap, that people don’t understand it. they said it’s a place for families, for people who want a bit of peace and quiet. i’m starting to see it.
if you get bored, Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of heading to Southend tomorrow to see the pier. apparently, it’s the longest pleasure pier in the world. that sounds… mildly exciting.
pro-tip: if you’re into vintage clothes, check out the charity shops around Pitsea. i found a killer 80s blazer for five quid. seriously. five quid!
“The council’s got plans to build another shopping centre. They say it’ll bring jobs, but I reckon it’ll just ruin the town centre.”
that was a woman selling flowers outside the market. she seemed genuinely worried.
I’m trying to find some decent coffee. Yelp says “Bean Around the Block” is the best, but i’m skeptical. i’ve got high standards, okay? i need something that’ll kickstart my brain after a day of damp concrete and quiet contemplation.
I’m also looking for some street art. i heard there’s a little scene developing around Burstead*. i’ll have to investigate. maybe i can leave my mark on this place, you know? a little splash of chaos in the quiet.
Things to do in Basildon
Restaurants in Basildon
Basildon Council Website
right, i’m off to find that coffee. and maybe a sausage. wish me luck.