The Essex park with an adventure park and cafe that's named after a historic figure

Here in Essex we're blessed with many great parks that make for a great evening walk or a fun family day out. And some stand out above the rest for their history.

Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon consists of 125 acres of country walks, wildlife spotting, adventure play for kids. It is located just off the A13 near Basildon, Essex and just 40 minutes by train from the heart of London.

Despite its current charm and it being a magnet for nature lovers, Wat Tyler Country Park is named after the most well-known leader of the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, which began in Fobbing, just a stone's throw away from the Park itself.

The peasants in Essex had had enough of having no rights and paying high taxes in the 14th century, and therefore decided to do something about it. On Thursday. May 30 1381, men from Fobbing led more from Corringham and Stanford in an attack on a court in session at Brentwood against King Richard II. Similar uprisings were reported across the river in Kent.

READ MORE: The Essex railway station the least used on the London Underground people have never heard of

READ MORE: The hidden paradise Essex lagoon so pretty you don’t even need to go abroad for a holiday

Kent rebels led by Wat Tyler and Essex rebels under John Ball and Jack Straw rose 100,000 strong to invade London. They demanded "We will be free forever, our heirs and our lands." King Richard II agreed, but then in a face to face meeting, the king had Wat Tyler stabbed through the throat. He died an agonising death.

The peasants' final stand was the Battle of Billericay on June 28, 1381. Around five hundred peasants fled to Norsey Wood where they were slaughtered by royal troops.

Now, Wat Tyler is a stunning nature reserve complete with a gift shop, playground and different refreshment options where Essex families flock to in the summer. However, its name is a stark reminder of the man whose leadership proved to be one of the chief factors in the success of protest against the harsh taxation of the poorer classes.

Get more What's On news from EssexLive straight to your inbox for FREE