Springmead is a large house that was built in the late 19th century by Captain Arthur Wenlock on the site of a spring in Brightlingsea. For many years the spring was the main water source for the town, and before that a Roman villa was built just above it, adjacent to present the site.

The entire site was bequeathed to the people of Brightlingsea by Captain Wenlock in 1927, and is presently owned by the Springmead (formerly the Wenlock) Trust.

This project will restore the gardens and bring them into public use. The group will carry out research into the history of the spring and its past and present importance to the town, along with the Wenlock family and their maritime connections which reflect Brightlingsea's seafaring heritage.

On the site, they will cut back overgrown areas, put up secure fencing, improve access for wheelchairs, install interpretation boards and benches, plant trees, create a central grassed area and install a bridge over the stream.