About Havering
Havering is on the eastern edge of Greater London, where the capital breaks into the Green Belt of Essex. Situated north of the Thames, it has a three-mile river frontage. Further downstream lie some of the country's most popular holiday resorts.
It is the third largest London Borough in terms of area. It covers 27,720 acres of which more than half (14,848 acres) is Green Belt.
The borough includes the communities of Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham all with quite separate identities and different attractions. Romford is well known for it's large shopping centre which is bigger than either Lakeside or Bluewater as well with large and colourful open-air market.
The attractions at Hornchurch include the Queen's Theatre and the beautiful gardens at Langtons. Upminster is a thriving commuter town on both the London Underground (District Line) and mainline train services from Fenchurch Street. It's landmark is a well-preserved windmill. Rainham is a centre of local employment, with major industrial development on the north bank of the Thames.
The London Borough of Havering promotes a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, including a programme of music, drama and exhibitions. In addition to the Leisure Gardens, there is an ice skating rink and an outdoor pursuit centre.
The municipal golf course is at Lower Bedford's Road in Romford; there are miniature golf facilities elsewhere. Havering -Atte-Bower and the 240-acre Bedford's Park, both to the north of the Borough, offer country walks. The latter has a red deer pen. In all, Havering has nearly 2,000 acres of parkland, including two country parks and public open spaces.
There are excellent travel links within and from the area. The M25 borders the borough giving good access to the national motorway network, ports and airports. Romford itself is on mainline rail services to Liverpool Street. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
Healthcare is provided by a Hospital Trust. Its facilities are Oldchurch and Harold Wood District General Hospitals. Major extensions carried out recently at Harold Wood Hospital include new wards, an outpatients department, accident and emergency centre and a maternity wing. A brand new hospital is under construction near Oldchurch. There are several clinics in the area.
Havering is a lively and caring Local Education Authority. It has 65 primary and 18 secondary schools ranked amongst the best in the country, which together employ around 2,400 staff. There are also 3 schools for children with special educational needs. For post –16 students there is a purpose built sixth form college and a well established college of Further and Higher Education also provides excellent educational opportunities for the community. The borough has 10 libraries as well as a housebound library service.
