Shopping in the Basildon District
The main shopping centres in the Basildon District - particularly Basildon, were planned with the shopper in mind, which is now one of the biggest pedestrianised area in the Country.
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The Town Square in Basildon has a fine history of shopping, in fact the past fifty years has seen a shopping revolution with the construction of the Eastgate Shopping Centre and the new Westgate Park.
If two shopping centres were not enought .... Further retail therapy can also be taken in the traditional High Streets shops of Billericay, Wickford and Pitsea, along with the many small clusters of local shops and several "out of town" style retail parks throughout the district.
If this is not enough for your wallet or credit card then Lakeside Shopping Centre and Bluewater Shopping Centre are also close by.
Markets
Around 700-800 years ago, the right to hold a market was a highly valued privilege granted by the monarch to nobles who enjoyed his favour. Where such markets were held, people travelled from miles around to buy and sell the essentials of everyday life.
A day at the market was just that! The journey to market took 1/3rd of the day, trading required another 1/3rd and the weary journey home used up the remaining 1/3rd of the day. A man was deemed to be able to travel 20 miles in a day and thus it was determined that markets must be at least 6 and 2/3rds miles apart. This calculation is still used today as the basis for the protection of market rights.
Towns grew up around the site of regular markets, which were usually held on one or two days each week, or on special feasts and festivals. Many of today's thriving communities owe their existence to the market in their midst.
There are several markets on various days throughout the week in the Basildon District area.
Basildon Market | | Monday*, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday |
Pitsea Market | | Wednesday, Friday*, Saturday, Sunday |
Wickford Market | | Monday, Tuesday*,Friday, Saturday. |
* Secondhand Market Day |
Farmers Market
Barleylands Farm holds regular Farmers Markets throughout the year, where farmers, growers and producers from the local area are present in person to sell their own produce, direct to the public. Various foods available depending on the season include
Meat, including Beef and Wild Boar, | Fruit and Vegitables, | Organic Produce, |
Herbs, | Honey | Dairy Prducts |
Pies, | Mushrooms | Jams & Chutney |
Game | Smoked & Fresh Fish | Beer, Ale & Cider |
Fruit Juices | Chocolate | and much more..... |
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