Facts about London Borough of
Havering
One of the largest London Boroughs, Havering spans approximately 40 square miles. Its neighbours include Barking and Dagenham to the north, Bexley by the River Thames to the south, Thurrock to the east and Redbridge to the west.
History tells us that Havering was also known as Havering-atte-bower which now forms part of the London Borough of Havering. The name is first found in documents from around the 1100's. King Edward the Confessor (the Saxon King of England from 1042-1066) is the first of note to have connections with the area. He occupied the royal house in the village and established a hunting lodge there which later become a bower' (or palace). It is thought by some historians that he ended his days there before being interred at Westminster Abbey. Others would argue against this idea.
Although owned by the crown during the 11th to 19th centuries, the area formed a liberty from 1465 (where the crown could not take income from vacant church properties) and this gave cause to the naming of the area as the Royal Liberty of Havering. The parishes included; Havering-atte-Bower, Romford and Hornchurch.
For many hundreds of years little changed in the daily lives of the locals. The area was linked closely with agriculture and farming. Even up to the end of the 19 th century only Romford was built-up and even this was in a small way.
If you are a keen historian and would like to more about Havering's history why not pay a visit Havering Museum which has been open to the public since May 2010.
The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 by combining Hornchurch Urban District and the Municipal Borough of Romford, which had been transferred from Essex to Greater London.
2005 saw the celebration of Havering's 40 th anniversary. A year of special activities to mark this milestone were enjoyed by people from near and far, and included a balloon launch in the April and musical and sporting events in the early summer along with the Hornchurch festival.
Today, 50% of Havering is Green Belt land. There are three country parks - Havering Country Park (popular with riders), Hornchurch Country Park (renowned for birdwatchers) and Bedfords Park home to many deer. The market at Romford is now over 750 years old and still attracts shoppers seeking a wide variety of goods.
Havering is twinned with Hesdin in France and Ludwigshafen in Germany .
Travelling in and around Havering
Road
In terms of the road network, as with all the districts in this part of London , Havering has close access to the A12, A13, A406 North Circular and the M25 motorway.
Tube
As you would expect, the transport links are excellent. The London Underground network runs pretty much through the middle of the Borough, with the District Line providing stations at Elm Park , Upminster, Upminster Bridge and Hornchurch.
Rail
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway passes through in two places and the Great Eastern Main Line passes through the north, with stops in Romford and a branch line to Upminster.
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