The Haven Plotlands Museum
The Haven is the last of nearly 200 Plotlands homes that occupied the site now owned by the Essex Wildlife Trust. Owned by the Mills family since it was built in the 1930s, it was still standing when the Wildlife Trust took ownership of the reserve in the 1980s. The Haven was built by Frederick Mills and his wife Mena and they lived there with their two sons, Brian and Terry. Brian Mills also lived in the property with his family after his mother and father moved out of the area. The Plotland properties were built by families (mainly from London's East End) who bought individual plots. Although originally intended as holiday homes, the Second World War meant that many families came to live in their Plotland homes permanently. The Haven is now a museum, dedicated to showing people what life was like during the difficult years of the 1930s and 1940s.
The Haven as it looks today
You can visit The Haven on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the 7th April to the end of September 2012. Between October 2012 and March 2013 the opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donation £2 for adults, £1 for under 16s and under 5s are free.
Laindon and District Community Archive Day
The Laindon Archive Group will be returning to Langdon on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May with a display of local Dunton photographs and newspaper cuttings. There will be photographs of our former Plotland houses and residents. This is also your chance to share your memories with the Archive Group for inclusion on their website, www.laindonhistory.org.uk The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. No booking is required and entry is free.
We are always looking for new volunteers! If you would like to help at The Haven then please contact us on (01268) 419103 for details of how you can help.
We are sometimes open outside of these times and can also arrange group visits, please 'phone to arrange. As the Museum is staffed by volunteers it is a good idea to 'phone ahead if you are making a special journey. Please call us on: (01268) 419103.
Frederick Mills outside The Haven with the family dog
A glimpse in to The Haven's washroom