Wilko Johnson Visitor Centre
at Oakfield Wood, Wrabness

Name: Wilko Johnson Visitor Centre
Telephone: 01255 88 05 21

Please support the creation of this Non-Profit Community Visitor Centre to enable more people to enjoy the stunning North Essex Countryside, Wildlife, Birdlife and Woodland of Remembrance within this beautiful Wrabness Essex Wildlife Trust site...

About the Visitor Centre

Oakfield Wood in Wrabness is an idyllic and serene green woodland burial ground situated on the banks of the River Stour in North Essex. It was created over 25 years ago to provide one of the country’s first alternative and natural green burial sites and ‘Woodland of Remembrance’, which is now maturing into a stunning and peaceful wildlife habitat. The woodland will forever be managed by the Essex Willdlife Trust to protect this beautiful resting place. Over 3,000 people have been laid to rest at the site and this has led to the need for a permanent Visitor Centre to support those visiting their loved ones. The visitor centre will also provide the necessary amenities and shelter to all those visiting both the Woodland of Remembrance and the incredible wildlife and birdlife within this beautiful Essex Wildlife Trust site.

Vital Donations to help create this valuable
community facility will be gratefully received.

In November 2022, world-renowned musician Wilko Johnson (lead singer and guitarist of Dr Feelgood) was laid to rest by his family in Oakfield Wood. After close consultation with his family, Oakfield Wood Trust propose to name the visitor centre after him. Wilko’s passion and love of the Essex countryside were well known, and therefore, it will be a fitting tribute to continue his legacy in this small corner of the Essex countryside.

Support the Visitor Centre

for the Local Community..

Oakfield Wood have planning permission for the purpose-built Visitor Centre and All-Faiths Chapel of Rest. It will accommodate the growing number of visitors and burials, and to provide essential amenities, refreshments and facilities for the local community. However, this will come at a vast cost to build and, like the burial site itself, will be gifted to the Essex Wildlife Trust in time. To enable this project, a non-profit organisation called Oakfield Wood Trust has been established and will rely on donations to create this stunning and valuable local amenity.

Donate now...

The Wilko Johnson Visitor Centre will offer a wonderful amenity for the local community, wildlife, nature and birdlife enthusiasts and for the friends and family of the many people who have been laid to rest in this beautiful setting. Oakfield Wood green burials is now seeking help to make the vision come true and are seeking donations to help pay for the £900,000 construction costs. Become a part of a brighter future and join our efforts today.
Read article in The Gazette

Essex Wildlife Trust

The Woodlands of Remembrance provide an undisturbed place of rest in perpetuity. Set in a natural woodland, which is managed in accordance with a scheme approved by Essex Wildlife Trust to create a thriving woodland nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary. Wildlife lovers will enjoy an area brimming with amazing bird species including: Turtle Doves, Nightingales, Barn Owls, Short eared Owls, wildfowl and waders, Black tailed Godwits, Turnstones and Brent Geese to name but a few of the many regular visitors.

Wilko Johnson - one of the most distinctive British rock guitarists with the band Dr Feelgood and talented actor in Game of Thrones. Wilko was infamous for his unique guitar style with stark chords and pin-sharp riffs. Johnson had an intimidating stage presence, invariably dresssed in black, his eyes staring out across the audience.

Mr Johnson died aged 75 and is laid to rest at Oakfield Wood Burial Ground. A true Essex boy and avid lover of the area, it felt perfectly apt to name the visitor centre after this home grown rock legend.

Image Credit: Leif Laaksonen

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about progress and events. We hope to see you at the Wilko Johnson Visitor Centre in Wrabness, Essex very soon.