The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 from the Municipal Borough of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District, which until then were in Essex. Its history includes Haueringas in the Domesday Book, Hornchurch Priory, Romford Market from 1247, the Royal Liberty of Havering (1465–1892), coaching on the road to London, the railway and the Star Brewery, Upminster's windmill, Rainham's wharf and factories, and the new estates of the 1930s such as Elm Park.
Oldest first
Newest first
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Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages
Before AD 43
900–800 BC
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A bronze-age hoard
In 2018 a hoard of 453 objects from the late bronze age (900 to 800 BC) was found in Rainham.
From the records: “A hoard of 453 late bronze-age (900 to 800 BC) artefacts was found in Rainham in 2018.”
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Romans
AD 43 – 410
1st–3rd centuries
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A Roman farm at Upminster
There was a Roman farmstead in the Upminster area from the 1st century to the 3rd century. Farming stayed the main work there for centuries afterwards.
From the records: “There was a Roman farmstead in the Upminster area from the 1st century to the 3rd century, and agriculture was the predominant industry throughout the following centuries.”
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Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
410 – 1066
1062
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Upmynstre
Upminster is first recorded in 1062 as Upmynstre. The Domesday Book of 1086 calls it Upmunstra.
From the records: “The placename Upminster is first recorded in 1062 as Upmynstre and is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as Upmunstra.”
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Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1066–1086
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Haueringas, a royal place
The name Havering is of Saxon origin. The Domesday Book of 1086 records it as Haueringas, and lists it as held by King Harold in 1066 and King William in 1086. Rainham is in the Domesday Book too, as Raineham.
From the records: “The name is of Saxon origin and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Haueringas.”
1158–1163
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Hornchurch Priory
In 1158/9 Henry II gave 1,500 acres of southern Hornchurch to the Great St Bernard Hospice in Savoy. Hornchurch Priory was set up, and in 1163 the king gave it St Andrew's Church and the land beside it.
From the records: “In 1158/9 Henry II gave 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of southern Hornchurch to the hospice of Great St Bernard Hospice in Savoy.”
1177
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Romfort
Romford is first recorded in 1177 as Romfort. The name comes from Old English 'rūm' and 'ford' and means "the wide or spacious ford".
From the records: “Romford is first recorded in 1177 as Romfort, which is formed from Old English 'rūm' and 'ford' and means "the wide or spacious ford".”
1233
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Hornechurch
Hornchurch is first recorded in English in 1233 as Hornechurch, meaning 'church with horn-like gables'. Since about 1600 there has been a bull emblem on the wall of the parish church.
From the records: “According to Mills, Hornchurch is first recorded in English in 1233 as Hornechurch and means 'church with horn-like gables'.”
1247
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Romford Market
Romford grew up in the Middle Ages on the main road to London, and Romford Market was established in 1247.
From the records: “The town developed in the Middle Ages on the main road to London and the regionally significant Romford Market was established in 1247.”
1272
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Havering-atte-Bower
The name is recorded as Hauering atte Bower in 1272. From then on, Havering and Havering-atte-Bower were used to mean the same place.
From the records: “The name is recorded as Hauering atte Bower in 1272 and from this time Havering and Havering-atte-Bower are used interchangeably.”
1379–1391
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The priory lands go to Oxford
In 1379 Parliament let the king take the property of 'alien' (foreign) religious houses that supported the Avignon Papacy. The members of Hornchurch Priory left in 1385 and its property was seized. In 1391 William of Wykeham bought the lands for New College, Oxford.
From the records: “The Parliament of England authorised the king to confiscate the property of alien religious houses that supported the Avignon Papacy in 1379.”
1406
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A church for Romford
Henry IV gave permission in 1406 for the first permanent church on the site of today's Church of St Edward the Confessor in Romford.
From the records: “The first permanent church on the site of the current Church of St Edward the Confessor was built after permission was granted by Henry IV in 1406.”
1465
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The Liberty of Havering
A charter in 1465 took the royal manor of Havering out of the Becontree hundred and the county of Essex. It became an independent liberty, run from a court house in Romford's market place. The Royal Liberty of Havering lasted until 1892.
From the records: “Through ancient custom the area enjoyed special status and a charter in 1465 removed the parish from the Becontree hundred and the county of Essex and it instead formed the independent liberty of Havering governed from a court house in the market place.”
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1500s
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'Romford side'
By the 16th century 'Romford side', the five northern wards of Romford Town, Harold Wood, Collier Row, Noak Hill and Havering, had grown larger than Hornchurch. In Rainham at this time, industry was limited to a boat-builder and a tannery.
From the records: “By the 16th century 'Romford side', comprising the five northern wards of Romford Town, Harold Wood, Collier Row, Noak Hill and Havering, had grown larger than Hornchurch and had achieved some degree of independence from the Hornchurch vestry.”
1600s
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Farms and merchants in Upminster
In the 17th century merchants from the City of London bought the Upminster estates of Gaynes, New Place and Upminster Hall. By then Upminster's farms had a variety of crops and livestock.
From the records: “The estates of Gaynes, New Place and Upminster Hall were purchased during the 17th century by merchants in the City of London.”
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Georgians
1714 – 1837
1721
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A coaching town
From 1721 the main road to London was looked after by the Middlesex and Essex Turnpike Trust, and Romford became a coaching town in the 18th century.
From the records: “Communications played an important part in its development; the main road to London was maintained by the Middlesex and Essex Turnpike Trust from 1721 and Romford became a coaching town in the 18th century.”
1720s
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Rainham's wharf
Rainham's farms had links with the City of London from the Middle Ages. After the wharf was rebuilt in the 1720s, trade grew, including bringing muck from London for use in the fields. New wealth from trade led to new buildings, including Rainham Hall.
From the records: “There are links between Rainham farms and the City of London from the Middle Ages and after the wharf was redeveloped in the 1720s trade increased; including the bringing of muck from London for use in the fields.”
1803
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Upminster windmill
Upminster has had a number of windmills. One of them, a smock mill built in 1803, is still there.
From the records: “There have been a number of windmills in Upminster and one of which, a smock mill built in 1803, remains.”
1819–1825
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Lighting the market
In 1819 improvement commissioners were set up in Romford for paving, lighting, watching and cleaning the market place and main streets. Romford's gas supply began in 1825.
From the records: “Improvement commissioners were set up in 1819 for paving, lighting, watching, and cleansing of the marketplace and main streets.”
1800s
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Cattle on Hornchurch Marsh
Hornchurch Marsh was used for grazing cattle. It was popular with butchers and inn owners from the City of London, and by the 19th century it was famous for the quality of the cattle sent to the London meat market.
From the records: “The Hornchurch Marsh was used for cattle grazing and became popular with butchers, inn owners and others in the City of London and by the 19th century it had become famous for the quality of the cattle sent to the London meat market.”
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Victorians
1837 – 1901
1839–1840
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The railway reaches Romford
Romford's railway station opened in 1839. It helped the local economy and was key to the growth of the Star Brewery. The first Eastern Counties Railway trains ran between Mile End and Romford, and the line reached Brentwood and Shoreditch in 1840.
From the records: “The development of the town was accelerated by the opening of the railway station in 1839 which stimulated the local economy and was key to the development of the Star Brewery.”
1840s–1861
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New Romford
In the 1840s, 200 cottages were built in an area called New Romford, where an army barracks had been. From 1851 a much larger area south of the railway was built over, and by 1861 Romford's population had grown to 3790.
From the records: “There was early expansion of 200 cottages in the 1840s in an area known as New Romford that was formerly occupied by an army barracks.”
1854–1872
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Rainham's station and factories
Rainham's ferry to London was joined by coaches in the 18th century, and a railway station opened in 1854. From 1869 industry grew, including chemical and fertiliser factories, and a second wharf was built in 1872.
From the records: “The ferry to London was supplemented with new coaching links in the 18th century and a railway station opened in 1854.”
1859–1863
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Clean water
Romford's water first came from the Havering Well. In 1859 a new public well and pump was built at the east end of the market, and in 1863 the South Essex Waterworks Company began putting in mains water. Sewage works were built at Oldchurch in 1862.
From the records: “The town water supply initially came from the Havering Well, and 1859 a new public well and pump was built at the east end of the market.”
1879–1900
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A cycle factory
From around 1879 to 1900 the Speedwell (later renamed Ormonde) cycle factory was on Hornchurch Road.
From the records: “The Speedwell (later renamed Ormonde) cycle factory was located on Hornchurch Road from around 1879 to 1900.”
1868–1885
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More stations
Railway stations opened at Harold Wood in 1868 and at Hornchurch in 1885. The same year, the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway from Fenchurch Street was extended from Barking to Upminster.
From the records: “Railway stations opened in the parish of Hornchurch at Harold Wood in 1868 and Hornchurch in 1885.”
1886–1889
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The Hornchurch cottage homes
In 1886 the parish of St Leonard Shoreditch bought 80 acres of Harrow Lodge Farm to build the Hornchurch cottage homes, which opened in 1889. In 1896, 306 people lived there.
From the records: “In 1886 the parish authorities of St Leonard Shoreditch purchased 80 acres of Harrow Lodge Farm for the construction of the Hornchurch cottage homes that opened in 1889.”
1892
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The Liberty ends
In 1892 the special status of the Liberty of Havering was abolished and the area became part of Essex again.
From the records: “The special status of the Liberty of Havering was abolished in 1892 and the area was reincorporated into Essex.”
1895–1909
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Emerson Park
Hornchurch began to change from a country village to a suburban town in 1895, when 200 acres of Nelmes manor were sold for the Emerson Park estate of 200 homes. Emerson Park station opened in 1909 to serve the new estates.
From the records: “The growth of Hornchurch from rural village to suburban town began with the sale of the southern 200 acres (0.81 km2) of Nelmes manor for the Emerson Park housing estate of 200 homes in 1895.”
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The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1910–1911
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Romford Garden Suburb
Romford Garden Suburb was built in 1910 and 1911. It included Raphael Park and Gidea Park railway station.
From the records: “Through a gradual process of selling off former manors, houses were built radiating from the town in all directions for about a mile, and further significant growth occurred between 1910 and 1911 with the construction of Romford Garden Suburb, which included Raphael Park and Gidea Park railway station.”
1917
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Iron-founders in Rainham
The Murex iron-founders moved to Rainham in 1917 and grew along the river. The firm later became part of the British Oxygen Company.
From the records: “The Murex iron-founders moved to Rainham in 1917 and grew along the river, eventually becoming part of the British Oxygen Company.”
1926–1929
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Hornchurch Urban District
On 1 April 1926 the parish of Hornchurch became Hornchurch Urban District, as its population was rising. From 1929 its council met at Langtons House.
From the records: “On 1 April 1926 the parish of Hornchurch became Hornchurch Urban District and the local authority became Hornchurch Urban District Council, with the first election having taken place on 27 March 1926.”
1933–1939
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Elm Park Garden City
In 1933 Richard Costain and Sons bought three farms for the Elm Park Garden City. 7,000 houses were planned, and the estate officially opened in 1935. It had its own town centre. 2,600 houses were built by 1939, when the Second World War stopped further building.
From the records: “Wyebridge, Elm and Uphavering farms were purchased in 1933 by Richard Costain and Sons for the Elm Park Garden City development. 7,000 houses were planned with the official opening of the estate in 1935.”
1934
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Two bigger districts
London's suburbs spread in the 1930s and Romford's population grew. In 1934 Romford's urban district grew to take in Havering-atte-Bower and Noak Hill. Hornchurch Urban District took in Cranham, Rainham, Upminster, Wennington and part of Great Warley. Hornchurch's population grew by 335% from 1921 to 1938.
From the records: “The suburban expansion of London caused an increase in population during the 1930s and the urban district was expanded further in 1934, taking in the parishes of Havering-atte-Bower and Noak Hill.”
1931–1936
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The Towers Cinema
The Grey Towers mansion in Hornchurch was knocked down in 1931, and its grounds were used for a housing estate and the Towers Cinema, which opened on Hornchurch High Street in 1936.
From the records: “Grey Towers mansion was demolished in 1931 and the grounds used for the Grey Towers housing estate and the Towers Cinema.”
1937
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The Municipal Borough of Romford
In 1937 Romford was incorporated as the Municipal Borough of Romford.
From the records: “It was incorporated as the Municipal Borough of Romford in 1937.”
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Modern times
Since 1945
1948–1958
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Harold Hill
After the Second World War, the London County Council built the Harold Hill estate, to the north east of Romford, from 1948 to 1958.
From the records: “Large sections of land to the north of the town at Collier Row were developed in the interwar period and after World War II, the London County Council built the Harold Hill estate to the north east from 1948 to 1958.”
1965
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The London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 from the Municipal Borough of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District. The area was moved from Essex to Greater London.
From the records: “The borough was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the combined area of the former Municipal Borough of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District.”
1970s
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Romford's factories
Light industry in Romford reached a peak in the 1970s, with factories such as the Roneo Vickers office machinery company, Colvern, makers of wireless parts, May's Sheet Metal Works and the brush makers Betterware.
From the records: “Light industry slowly developed, reaching a peak in the 1970s with a number of factories on the edge of town, such as the Roneo Vickers office machinery company, Colvern manufacturers of wireless components, May's Sheet Metal Works and brush manufacturers Betterware.”
1981
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Lord Upminster
Upminster is often linked with Ian Dury, and his 1981 album Lord Upminster is named after the town.
From the records: “Upminster is often associated with Ian Dury and his 1981 album Lord Upminster is named after the town.”
1960s–2000
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Shopping centres
The Liberty Shopping Centre in Romford was built in the 1960s. The Mercury Mall opened in 1990, and The Brewery opened in 2000 on the site of the old Star Brewery.
From the records: “The Liberty Shopping Centre was constructed in the 1960s, and has been modernised and supplemented with further shopping centres throughout the town, including The Mercury Mall, opened in 1990; and The Brewery, opened in 2000 on the site of the old Star Brewery.”