Tourism

While it's probably true to say that most people have heard of Romford, with its lively mix of traditional market, excellent high street shopping and vibrant nightlife, fewer know anything about the borough that surrounds the town. But Havering has plenty to offer visitors.

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 20^thcentury 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.

For more information about Havering's many attractions, please follow the links to the left and right.