The Haven Plotlands House
Update August 2026
The Haven is the last remaining Plotlands house in the UK. It is currently closed while we develop plans to restore and preserve this important piece of local history and Langdon’s heritage. Please do talk to a member of the team inside the Nature Discovery Centre team to find out more.
The history
The Haven is the last of 183 Plotlands homes that occupied what is now Langdon Nature Discovery Park. Built in the 1930s, the Haven was owned by the Mills family until the Essex Wildlife Trust took ownership of the reserve in the 1980s.
Frederick Mills built the Haven himself with the help of his neighbours. For two generations, the Haven was a family home. First for Frederick, his wife Mena, and their two songs, Brian and Terry; then, when Fred and Mena left the area, for Brian and his family.
The Plotland houses were built by families, mostly from London’s East End, who intended to use their houses as holiday homes. For these families, their Plotlands property gave them their own piece of English countryside. The Second World War meant that many people, couples, and families left London for their safety, and their Plotlands houses became their permanent homes. The Plotlands offered a safe haven, a different way of life outside of the city, and eventually became a bustling community.
The Haven sits on Langdon Nature Discovery Park and can be seen from the outside of the property. To find out more about the Plotlands, head into the Nature Discovery Centre to talk to a member of our team, or pick up a copy of Plotlands Memories to learn more about the fascinating lives of those who called the Plotlands their home.
Volunteer
We are always looking for new volunteers! If you would like to help at The Haven then please contact Langdon visitor centre on 01268 419103 for details of how you can help.