Event Name: Basildon Parkrun
Location: Northlands Park, Basildon
Started: 5th April, 2014
Course Type: Three laps, clockwise
Date Visited: 22nd August, 2026
Accessibility: Dog friendly – yes, buggy friendly – yes
How you doin’? So, today we’re looking at Basildon Parkrun. Could I be any more excited…
Whether running with Friends or alone, Basildon Parkrun will be there for you every Saturday morning at 9AM. And, like all Parkruns, it’s free. (I know). Okay, let’s go running.
TL;DR: The course finds the sweet spot between fast in places with a few challenging sections while there’s a pretty decent coffee house cafe for a post-run drink.
Basildon Parkrun: The One With A Small But Deceptive Hill
Saturday’s visit to Basildon Parkrun was my fifth visit and it’s a course I definitely enjoy. Except for that hill, which you do have to tackle three times.
After crossing a short field from the start line to pick up a meandering pathway, you reach the hill. It’s not particularly long or steep, but there is a sharp pivot before you ascend it. Whilst safe, the footpath isn’t the fastest. A short flat section around the top is followed by the grass of cone corner before descending another footpath, which has significantly improved since the council worked on it earlier this year.
You can pick up speed down a shaded straight before crossing a small bridge to reach a path that essentially takes you around the lake before passing the swing park, cafe, and finish funnel. On lap one you bypass the finish funnel (obviously), and follow the path round until you reach the point you picked up on lap one.
The path is wide enough for faster runners to pass parkwalkers and slower runners without a fuss. With numbers usually sitting around 200, there’s never too much traffic anyway.
Northlands Park is very accessible by public transport (about 1.5 miles from the train station with multiple bus routes going close by) and is served by main roads to the south and west of the park.
Who Is It Best For?
If you’re looking for a Parkrun course in south Essex that offers a little challenge without the hills of Hadleigh, Basildon is a good choice. It’s a little closer to London than Southend, Hockley Woods, Hadleigh, and Thorney Bay Beach too.
It’s probably not a course for an absolute PB but relative quick times are achievable, especially as you can probably save a few seconds on the improved downhill section. I knocked about 25 seconds off my previous course PB. Oh, my, gawddd.
Families should also note that there is a Junior Parkrun at the same venue. Three laps of a smaller course on the main starting field ensures young runners are visible at all times.
Facilities
Two Lakes Cafe is open for a post run coffee (this is brand new information) or you can head to Costa just a 200m walk away.
There are toilets next to the cafe, which are open before and after Parkrun. The main carpark is large enough to accommodate the Parkrun visitors while there are another handful of spaces to the south of the park too.
The lake, playground, and multiple paths will keep kids and dogs entertained while there’s also a bird feed dispenser available outside the cafe.
The Highlight
I do like that the briefing takes place near the funnel, cafe, and toilets.
While it might add a few seconds to your time, the different ground types and sections make it an enjoyable run. Not least because you’ll have conquered the little hill three times.
Verdict
There are regulars who have done this course over 100 times, which shows it won’t get boring. If you live relatively close by, it’s one to add to the rota. And if you’re a tourist visiting Essex, it’s worthy of a tick.
