The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought better transport, growing connections and wartime change, while much of Basildon still retained its rural character.
The story of modern Basildon begins in the nineteenth century, when the area was still predominantly rural but was beginning to experience many of the changes taking place across Britain. Improvements in roads, transport and communications gradually brought the villages of the district into closer contact with the growing towns and industrial centres of Essex and London. Farming remained an important part of local life, but the traditional rural landscape was increasingly influenced by the expansion of nearby settlements.
The arrival and development of the railway had a particularly significant effect on the surrounding area. Improved connections made it easier for people to travel beyond their local villages, while agricultural goods and other products could be transported more efficiently. The growing accessibility of the district also made it increasingly attractive to people working elsewhere, particularly as London and the towns along the Thames continued to expand.
During the early twentieth century, Basildon and the surrounding villages retained much of their countryside character. Farms, fields and small settlements continued to dominate the landscape, although the population was gradually increasing. The First World War and Second World War brought major changes to everyday life, with local residents serving in the armed forces and communities adapting to wartime restrictions and shortages. The surrounding countryside also played its part in supporting the war effort through agriculture.