Langdon Hills/Dunton - Plotlands Museum Cottage & Surrounding Area

I found this footage in my archives and realised I'd never actually created a UA-cam video from it - so here it is.
This is the sole remaining cottage from over 200 once in the Dunton area, just west of Langdon Hills and Laindon, during the 1930's and 1940's.
The are became known locally as 'The Plotlands'.
The living accommodations were small and started as summer 'getaway' buildings for Londoners, however they developed into a community of people living in very squalid conditions with no ameneties, such as electrics, running water or sewege removal.
Walking around the area now, especially if you wander off the beaten tracks, you will find remnants of buildings, some just concrete platforms where homes used to be and some with parts still standing, although dangerously derelict and mostly falling down.
Steps that lead up to nowhere, sections of rock or brick walls sticking up out of the ground at odd angles and all manner of building remnants.
It is know that the Plotlands was, at it's peak, not a very nice place to live, especially during the winter.
The Plotlands Museum is definitely worth a visit to see how people lived during that era. In the garden behind the cottage you will see, to the side, a bomb shelter built during World War 2.
Unfortunately, on the day of the visit, the museum was closed so I couldn't get any photographs of the inside where they still have all the items from that era on display, including furniture, games of the time, a lounge complete with chairs, radio (or 'wireless', as it was called then).
There is a very detailed kitchen that still contains food packets from the time as well as everyday items such as an iron, cooker etc.
There is a workshop to the side and a utility area with many old artefacts.
It is a spectacular reminder of how people used to live in days gone by and is a sure indication of how far we have come in less than 100 years.
Life today has it's difficulties, however, the living conditions for most of us are now far better than thos of our predecessors.
Enjoy the video and, if you can, pay this area a visit and the museum, it is a fascinating place and well worth your time.
Don't forget to leave a donation for the upkeep of the museum, unfortunately, being transported to another era by just stepping through the door takes money to maintain and they need all the help they can get.
If you can't pay them a visit but would like to dontate, you can do so through the Essex Wildlife Trust at www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-res....
See you all again soon,
Gary C