Romford Area Guide
Are you thinking about buying or renting a property in Romford? Part of the London Borough of Havering, the area is characterised by Victorian architecture and offers residents good transport links into London, as well as plenty of green spaces, bars and restaurants. Romford has been featured in The Sunday Times' list of Best Places to Live in Britain.So, could Romford be the perfect area for you? Read on to find out more.
Are there local transport links nearby?
There is a vast bus network in the area with services to Canning Town, Stratford, Leytonstone, Upminster, Hornchurch, Thurrock and Dagenham.
The town is served by Romford railway station (Zone 6) and there are regular services to London Liverpool Street, Stratford and to Southend.
By March 2021 Romford will be part of the Cross rail link servicing Heathrow and London.
How’s the local food & drink scene?
Romford Market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year, with traders pitching out their market stalls.
There are many nice gastropubs in Romford including The Goldem Lion, The Slug and Lettuce, The Moon and Stars and plenty more.
For restaurants you’ll find places like - Shepard & Dog, Ciao Bella, TGI Fridays, Mangal Meze, Deli Live, Bekash all with high rated ‘Trip advisor scores’.
How does the area rate for sport & leisure facilities?
Romford has 3 golf courses to choose from, varying from 9 or 18 holes along with a driving range and golf shops.
There is a Virgin Active in The Brewery and David Lloyd in Gidea Park, which also has an outdoor pool. The nearest council-owned pool is the Hornchurch Sports Centre in Hornchurch Road.
What can you do on a sunny day?
Raphael Park includes a lake, a café, a children’s playground and an annual open-air theatre festival.
Bedfords Park is also nearby which hosts a nature park, you can view deer, cows and general wildlife. Again an excellent place to walk and take children.
And what about stuff to do on a rainy day?
There is a 16 screen Vue cinema nearby.
The Liberty Shopping Centre is large indoor shopping centre containing many high street shops.
What’s the area like for shopping (both food and retail)?
A pedestrianized high street provides an excellent range of shops from national chains to local independent businesses and stores.
The Brewery Shopping and Leisure Centre contains a Sainsbury’s, TK Max, bowling, GAP, Mamas & Papas, Boots, Nandos. Romfords one of three McDonalds.
What does the area offer in terms of entertainment?
The Brookside Theatre plays host to many full scale productions, live music and comedy nights.
Romford Bowls Club, the premier bowls club in Essex, is based in Lodge Farm Park.
The Greyhound Stadium still remains and there are frequent dog races to entertain punters.
And what about entertainment for kids/families?
There is a rock wall climbing at Kids Space in The Old Brewery on Waterloo Road.
A skate board and BMX track is located in Cottons Park.
Are there decent local amenities such as libraries and health centres?
There is a hospital in Romford, The Queen’s Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital in Pettits Lane.
There is also a local library open 6 days a week which features an I.T suite, a local studies and family history centre, along with meeting room facilities.
How’s the local traffic and parking?
There are a number of controlled parking zones. There are a number of pay and display car parks, which are free on Sundays.
How well served is the area by Primary Schools? Please list the schools names and their OFSTED rating.
The area has 4 primary schools rated outstanding by OFSTED, those are St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Warren Junior School, St Bede’s Catholic Primary & Nursery School and Broadford Primary School.
The other primary schools in the area are rated as good by OFSTED.
One comprehensive school is rated outstanding, that being Chadwell Heath. The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls is rated good by OFSTED.
The area also features a number of private schools.
