In 1969 Basildon District Council purchased the former Ministry of Defence site for £99,600 with the intention of developing it as a country park.
The developing park was initially associated with the name Pitsea Hall Country Park. During the 1970s the Wat Tyler name was adopted and plans were prepared to use the landscape recreationally while retaining important evidence of its earlier history. Wat Tyler Country Park officially opened on 14 April 1984, with the opening ceremony performed by Len Murray, then General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress.
Wat Tyler was a leader of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, but the modern name of the park is not proof that he lived or worked here. Basildon Heritage notes that it is unlikely he ever came to the area.
Rather than removing every trace of industry and war, surviving buildings and landscape features became part of the park. This gives Wat Tyler a strong historical identity as well as recreational value.
Later projects included environmental and visitor facilities, sculptures, extensions to the miniature railway, RSPB use, conversion of a former motor-boat museum into the Green Centre and the re-erection of a historic stable building from East Horndon.
1891: explosives factory established.
1929: explosives works closes.
Second World War: Sea Transport Stores and anti-invasion defences.
1969: council purchases the site for £99,600.
1970s: country-park plans develop.
14 April 1984: Wat Tyler Country Park officially opens, with the opening ceremony performed by Len Murray, then General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress.
2000s onward: visitor, environmental and heritage facilities continue to develop.