Havering includes the main centres of Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster. It is well served by road, bordering the M25, rail and air, with excellent transport links offering easy access to the rest of Great Britain and Europe. Central London is half an hour away, Stansted, Gatwick and City airports only an hour, and the Channel Tunnel is easily accessible – Havering really is the gateway to Europe. Havering is one of the largest boroughs in Greater London, with a population of around 225,000 and an area approaching 40 square miles, half of which is in the Green Belt.
To the north and east the borough is bordered by the Essex countryside, to the south by a three mile River Thames frontage, and to the west by the neighbouring boroughs of Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham.
The name 'Havering' devolves from the Royal Liberty of Havering, to which Edward IV granted a charter in 1465. Edward the Confessor was the first notable person to have a connection with the area. He occupied the royal house in the village of Havering atte Bower.
The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 as a result of the merger of the former Romford Borough and Hornchurch Urban District Councils.
Twenty-first century Havering is a great place for families, with highly rated schools and low rates of crime, while our excellent transport links offer easy access to the rest of Great Britain and Europe. Central London is half an hour away, Stansted, Gatwick and City airports only an hour, and the Channel Tunnel is easily accessible – Havering really is the gateway to Europe.
From village life in Havering atte Bower to market day in Romford, our communities - both large and small - are alive and kicking. We believe this makes the borough a great place to live. But don't take our word for it. Recent research by MORI has shown that 66 per cent of Havering's residents are satisfied with the borough as a place to live.
Havering has an enormous range of shopping - Romford Town Centre alone draws over 250,000 visitors every week. Here you'll find a vibrant metropolitan centre which has attracted more than £500 million of public and private investment in retail, leisure, housing developments and environmental improvements in recent years. But we've not forgotten our history and the focal point of the town's shopping area remains the traditional Romford Market which dates back to 1247.
And if you ever tire of the hustle and bustle of town centres, our many attractive parks and countryside areas mean you're never far from tranquil, green, open spaces to relax in.
History
For history, you could do worse than head to the Upminster Tithe Barn, a 15th Century thatched barn filled with 13,500 domestic and agricultural items dating from Roman times to the 1950s.
The handsome National Trust property Rainham House is also worth a visit, while a stroll through Romford Garden Suburb in Gidea Park affords views of some stunning early 20thcentury domestic architecture, the product of a competition that drew the finest architectural talent of the time.
Culture
If you're looking for culture, the borough's varied scene centres on the Fairkytes Arts Centre and the many performances at the Queen's Theatre. There's also plenty on offer for those seeking leisure.
Green Spaces
Over half the borough is open green space ranging from protected countryside to elegant parks in Romford. This includes Thames Chase Forest Centre, with its visitor centre with interactive exhibition, cafe, and shop set in 140 acres of community woodland, with fully accessible footpaths, cycle and horse rides and picnic areas.
Sports facilities
Meanwhile the borough's sports facilities, notably Hornchurch Sportcentre, Central Park Leisure Centre and Chafford Sports Complex, mean you've so many ways to stay fit and healthy.
Discover Havering
To the north and east the borough is bordered by the Essex countryside, to the south by a three mile River Thames frontage, and to the west by the neighbouring boroughs of Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham.
The Borough's history stretches back to Roman times, when there were settlements at Rainham and Collier Row. Located on the outskirts of Romford, Durolitum was a staging post on the main road from London to Colchester, the oldest recorded town in England.
Discover Havering - something for everyone
This section highlights some great places to visit and things to do.
So, what are you waiting for? Have fun and 'Discover Havering'
Discover Havering 2012.pdf
Discover Havering's parks
With 108 parks across Havering, you don't have to go far to find a tranquil spot to relax in, including Bedford's Park - one of Havering's largest parks and home to a herd of red deer. The meadow and mature woodland provide a breathtaking backdrop to enjoy the great outdoors.
Clockhouse Gardens is a small, peaceful, ornamental garden right in the heart of Upminster where the medieval moat in the park attracts swans and a variety of wildfowl.
Discover family fun
Wellgate Community Farm is a small 1.5-acre city farm that's home to animals including chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, ponies, pigs and sheep. Entry is free and the farm has plenty to keep the little ones happy. Call 01708 747850 for details.
Discover walks
If you enjoy a brisk walk, join the Walking for Health initiative group which discovers Havering's beautiful county parks. Visit the Walking for Health website or pick up a leaflet from any library to book your free place.
If you prefer to plan your own walk, why not visit the Walk London website and check out the many routes including Harold Wood to Upminster Bridge where you can take in scenic views across Ingrebourne River and farmland.
Discover heritage walks
Developed with the support of local volunteers and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund why not try one of our six self-guided walks and explore the borough at your own pace, discovering its rich diverse heritage.
Gidea Park Heritage Walk.pdf
Harold Hill Heritage Walk.pdf
Havering-atte-Bower Heritage Walk.pdf
Hornchurch Heritage Walk.pdf
Rainham Heritage Walk.pdf
Romford Heritage Walk.pdf
Discover sports
Or why not try one of Havering's three, low cost sports centres - Central Park Leisure Centre, Harold Hill or Hornchurch sports centre, Harrow Lodge and Park or Chafford Sports Complex, Rainham.
Hylands Park in Hornchurch provides great scenery for a gentle stroll or jog. A green flag winner in 2008, its circular tree lined pathway traces the outside boundary of the park.
Hall Lane Mini Golf Course, Hall lane, Upminster is perfect for budding golfers - providing a pitch and putt golf course in pleasant surroundings.
And if cycling is more your thing, you can get handy route maps from www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling so you can enjoy miles of scenic cycling routes across the borough.
Havering's newest cycling route - Painsbrook Greenway cycle path is worth a visit as it stretches over 10km and takes you beside the scenic river to the RSPB visitor Nature reserve centre at Purfleet.
Discover green fingers
Gardening is the perfect way to unwind and there are plenty of allotments in Havering – simply visit the allotments page to find out more.
Discover nature
The Ingrebourne Valley projects is a three year partnership between the Essex Wildlife Trust and the London Borough of Havering with the aim of improving the Ingrebourne Valley for people and wildlife.
If you're a bird lover, RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve is one of a few ancient landscapes left in London and is renowned for its wintering wildfowl, wading birds, woodland species and birds of prey.
The Thames Chase Community Forest provides a wooded landscape for you to enjoy and the visitor centre at Upminster hosts a range of educational activities.
Discover library activities
There is plenty to keep everyone amused as libraries provide a variety of free activities from computer games to table tennis. Contact your local library to find out what's on offer.
Discover shopping
Romford is renowned for its bustling market which is one of the largest and best street markets in the South East. Go to the Romford Market webpage for more details. And with famous shops large and small in four great shopping areas - The Liberty Shopping Centre, The Mercury, The Brewery and Romford Shopping Hall, you're quite literally spoilt for choice.
Discover culture
Hornchurch is the cultural hub of Havering and home to The Queen's Theatre which produces a vibrant programme of performances all year round.
Fairkytes Arts Centre, situated in an elegant Georgian house, offers arts and crafts workshops for adults and children and hosts various events.
Discover heritage
Described as "a gem in London" by English Heritage, Rainham's impressive medieval buildings include Rainham Hall, dating back to1729.
Explore Hornchurch Country Park, an RAF airfield during World War Two where you can discover where the aircraft hangers were situated, the Battle HQ and the Officers Mess as it stands today. Visit the RAF Hornchurch Project website to find out more.
Step back in time at Upminster Tithe Barn and discover the small museum of nostalgia and artefacts dating back to the 15th century. The barn opens for two weekends a month and entrance is free. Visit the Upminster Tithe Barn website for opening times.
And if you're simply looking to relax in a historic public house, pop into The Golden Lion, one of only two coaching posts left in London.
Hopefully this has given you some ideas to Discover Havering. For further details about attractions and events, please visit your local library.
N.B – all information about events and attractions are correct at the time of going to print.
Havering facts – did you know that?
- The borough's history stretches back to Roman times?
- Upminster is the borough's third largest town centre?
- Romford's market dates back to 1247 when Henry III gave instructions to the Sheriff of Essex to hold a market every Wednesday?
- The leather industry originated in Hornchurch?
- Rainham has maintained most of its historical features, such as the Norman church and Victorian buildings?
- Romford Town centre attracts over 250,000 visitors every week?