Mill Meadows

Mill Meadows, Billericay, is a 90-acre Nature Reserve and one of the finest ancient meadow systems in Essex.

27/03/2026

This Monday we welcomed our herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle back to Mill Meadows.

The Cattle are wearing No-Fence colars allowing for more control over which fields are grazed. The collars emit a high pitched noise when the cattle approach the boundry so don't be alarmed if you hear it!

The cattle can be tracked using the link https://grazingmap.nofence.no/

Please remember to keep dogs under control around the Cows.

11/08/2024

Att'd photo was taken in Hillmans a couple of days ago - sorry for poor quality, only had phone with me.
Saw it by pure luck when a Spec Wood settled next to it.

I posted the pic on the British Dragonflies FB page and they stated "Almost certainly a teneral female Willow Emerald damselfly. They are abundant currently and favour brambles. You can just about make out the diagnostic spur mark on the side of the thorax.".

Ten years ago this would have been an amazing sighting but, it seems, that they have increased quite rapidly

28/04/2024

Attention!
A tree has fallen over Millennium Bridge. Branches obstruct entrance into the Cumborrow. The adjacent kissing gate is also blocked.
All the cattle appear fine and are going about their business, enjoying fresh oak leaves 🐮
Basildon Council's Countryside Services are aware of the issue.

19/04/2024

There were serious fires at Mill Meadows on Monday15th April 6.30 pm – in the latter case the Fire Brigade had to be called to put out the fire.
The first fires seem to have been stopped by damp weather or damp ground conditions – in one case the fire stopped within one metre of a Long-tailed Tit nest.
Given the time of year, other young birds will have certainly perished in their nests.
The fires burnt two areas of scrub. Had the conditions been dryer, it quite probably would have spread into woodland and the damage would have been severe.
Fires are not permitted on Mill Meadows under the byelaws which makes this a criminal offence.
Hence the damage has been reported to Essex Police, Incident number DP-12395-24-4242-03.
It is then the decision of Basildon Council, the site owner, and Essex Police to decide how far to investigate the incident.
What would be most useful, however, is that everyone – adults, teenagers and their parents understand the consequences of these fires and therefore avoid the temptation to start fires anywhere on the site and also be careful if discarding cigarette butts.
Please help.
If you know or have young people who use Mill Meadows then tell them about this, please make them stop and think about the harm they did to wildlife and the much worse consequences. We all want everyone to enjoy the site but, please, no matches.
thanks

17/04/2024

The cows are back!

9 female yearling's and one older 'Mama' cow have come to graze the meadows. At the moment they are in the fields nearest the Scout Hall car park.

If you want to know where the cattle are they can be tracked here - https://grazingmap.nofence.no/

The cattle do not have access to the fields that the hard path from Chaffinch Crescent to Southend Road runs through. They will be moved into these fields in a few weeks.

To hear more about the role of Red Poll cattle in conservation grazing come along to our evening meeting in the Chantry Centre on Thursday April 18th commencing 19.45hrs. Further details can be found here - https://www.millmeadows.org.uk/events

Please keep dogs under control around the cattle.

13/03/2023

Exciting news! 15 Red Poll cattle, comprising Mama Cow and 14 yearlings, arrived at Mill Meadows on 11th March 2023 and will be with us until winter.

Whilst these creatures are very placid, dogs and children should be kept under control around them. 🐄

12/02/2023

On Tuesday Feb 14th the old pond in Ward Hoppits will be cleared of silt and debris. Once these materials have been removed, more light will pe*****te the water surface, leading to improved oxygen levels, making the pond a more hospitable environment for aquatic life.

This work has been funded by Natural England, and is being carried out in partnership with Josh Childs, Basildon Borough Council's Biodiversity Officer.
Please be aware that this restoration work will require the use of a digger. 🦎

27/10/2022

Basildon Borough Council have appointed H&B Groundwork Contractors Ltd to hard surface the path between the entrance to the Mill Meadows Local Nature Reserve on Chaffinch Crescent to the pedestrian access points on the Southend Road. This path runs east west across the Local Nature Reserve through the fields called Hurlocks, Hilly Field, Coles and Wantsfield. You can see the route of this path on the Mill Meadows map on the Visit page. The hard surfacing will hopefully make the path easier to use, particularly during the winter months.

In addition, a new field gate is being installed between the fields Cumborrow and Hilly Field near the Millennium Bridge. The brook will be piped at this point and spare soil from the path works will enable a vehicle bridge for maintenance vehicles to be constructed.

Basildon Council’s Countryside Services staff are aware of the broken gatepost and two damaged stiles. They plan to undertake the repairs shortly.

12/10/2022

As winter sets in our lovely herd of Red Poll cattle are returning to their warm farm after a productive grazing season. We look forward to welcoming them back next spring.

12/09/2022

A child's hooded fleece left at Mill Meadows yesterday. Please PM Neil Sumner if you lost one

10/09/2022

The weather is set fair
for the Mill Meadows Fayre
although a time of regret
it's time for proclamation
so we'll show respect
then have a celebration

They'll be music and dance
sites and sounds to entrance
Birds of prey on display
And lots of games to play

Hot food to partake
Tea, coffee and cake
The Mill Meadows Ale
Is at last on sale
Soft drinks and fizz
Stalls - too many to list

Something for everyone
So come and have fun
We hope to see you there
And please like and share!

The Mill Meadows Fayre Sunday 11th September 11 - 4 in Wantsfield in Mill Meadows along Southend.

09/09/2022

The Rotary Club of Billericay Town and the Mill Meadows Society are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II yesterday.

We do, however, intend that the Mill Meadows Fayre on Sunday will still go ahead.

We look forward to the opening by The Worshipful Mayor of Basildon Borough and would like to suggest that he precedes his address by asking all those present to partake in a minute's silence

Address

Mill Meadows Nature Reserve
Billericay

Website

http://www.millmeadows.org.uk/

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