Havering

Green space and countryside

More than half of the borough is green belt or parkland, including Havering Country Park, Hornchurch Country Park, and Bedfords Park with its herd of red deer.

Markets and town centres

Romford Market has been trading since 1247 and still draws crowds three days a week, while the Liberty Shopping Centre adds modern retail to the town centre.

Heritage and history

From the Grade II listed Upminster Windmill to the National Trust’s Rainham Hall, Havering has deep roots as a former royal liberty dating back to the 15th century.

Local highlights in Havering

A few of the places that make Havering such a rewarding part of London.

Romford Market

One of the oldest street markets in England, trading since 1247. Over 150 stalls sell everything from fresh produce and flowers to clothing and electronics, open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Upminster Windmill

A Grade II listed smock windmill built in 1803, one of the last surviving windmills in London. Managed by a preservation trust, it offers tours and a glimpse into the area’s agricultural past.

Rainham Hall

A Grade II* listed Georgian house built in 1729, now owned by the National Trust. The house and gardens are open to the public, offering a window into 18th-century life on the edge of London.

Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve

An RSPB nature reserve on the Thames marshes, home to birds, dragonflies, and water voles. Regular events and guided walks make it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and families.

Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch

The borough’s leading performance venue with over 60 years of history, staging a full programme of plays, musicals, and concerts throughout the year.

Havering offers a mix of suburban housing and green space that sets it apart from most London boroughs. You will find everything from inter-war semis and 1930s housing to modern new-build developments, particularly around Romford and Rainham, giving the borough a range of options for buyers, renters, and investors.

 

A big part of Havering’s appeal is the balance between a London address and a semi-rural feel. More than half of the borough is green belt or parkland, and the area consistently ranks well for family-friendly living, with good schools and a strong sense of community.

Architectural heritage: Havering has a number of listed buildings, including the Grade II listed Upminster Windmill, the Grade II* listed Rainham Hall, and the 15th-century Upminster Tithe Barn, now home to the Museum of Nostalgia.

The borough is also undergoing regeneration, particularly in Rainham and Beam Park, where new housing, transport links, and commercial development are reshaping the southern edge of the borough. Combined with Elizabeth line connectivity through Romford and Harold Wood, these factors are strengthening Havering’s appeal for commuters and long-term investors.