The History of Romford: From Ancient Times to the Modern Day

Romford is a large town in east London and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Havering. It has a rich and varied history, dating back to the Middle Ages when it was a small market town on the main road to London. In this blog post, we will explore some critical aspects of Romford’s history, such as the brewery, the market, the people, the buildings, and the impact of World War II and modern times.

The Origins of Romford

Romford was first recorded in 1177 as Romfort, which means “the wide or spacious ford” in Old English. The name refers to a crossing point over the River Rom, also known as the Beam. The river was a natural boundary between Essex and Middlesex, and the ford was probably located on the main London to Colchester road.

The original site of Romford was to the south of the river, in an area still known as Oldchurch. It was moved northwards to avoid the river’s frequent flooding in the later medieval period. The first building on the new site was a chapel dedicated to St Edward, built in 1410, and this was later replaced by a parish church of St Edward the Confessor in 1850.

The early history of Romford and its surroundings was agricultural, and several mills along the river were used to grind corn. The town also had a forest nearby, which provided timber and hunting grounds.

The Market Town

Romford’s most distinctive feature is its market, established in 1247 by King Henry III. The market was granted a charter that allowed it to be held every Wednesday throughout the year. The market soon became one of Essex’s most essential and prosperous, attracting traders and customers from afar.

The market was initially held in the open space between North Street and South Street but later expanded to include parts of High Street and Market Place. The market sold various goods, such as livestock, grain, cloth, leather, pottery, ironware, fish, meat, cheese, butter, eggs, fruit and vegetables.

The market also hosted annual fairs on St Edward’s Day (13 October) and St Andrew’s Day (30 November), which lasted for several days and offered entertainment and amusements for visitors. The fairs were abolished in 1878 due to complaints about noise and disorder.

The market survived many changes and challenges over the centuries, such as fires, plagues and wars.

The market was governed by various authorities, such as the Liberty of Havering until 1892, the Romford Local Board until 1894, the Romford Urban District Council until 1934, the Hornchurch Urban District Council until 1965 and finally, the London Borough of Havering since then.

The market has been in local authority ownership since it was purchased by the Romford Local Board in 1892 from Charlotte McIntosh, the last private owner.

The Features and Attractions of Romford Market

The market underwent several physical changes over time as well. In 1885, a new market house was built at the western end of the market, replacing the old courthouse demolished in 1849.

In 1907, a clock tower was erected on top of the market house to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria. In 1929, a new slaughterhouse was built near Eastern Road to replace the old one near North Street. In 1969, the market was pedestrianised, and traffic was diverted away from it by a ring road system.

In 1990, a new covered area was added to the eastern end of the market to provide shelter for traders and customers.

The Brewery

One of the most prominent features of Romford’s history is its brewery, founded in 1708 by Benjamin Wilson as an extension to the Star Inn on the High Street. The brewery took advantage of the River Rom’s water supply and the proximity to the main road and the railway station.

In 1799, the brewery was bought by Edward Ind and John Grosvenor, who formed a partnership that lasted for 17 years. In 1845, they were joined by Octavius and George Coope, two London brewers who brought new capital and expertise to the business. The brewery then became known as Ind Coope and Co. The brewery expanded rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming one of Essex’s largest and most successful.

It had railway sidings, wells, coppers, fermenting squares, cask-cleaning sheds, an ale store and a power station. It employed over 1,000 workers at its peak and produced popular beers such as John Bull Bitter, Double Diamond and Skol Lager.

The brewery also played a role in Romford’s social and cultural life, sponsoring sports teams, clubs, events and charities. It had its brass band, fire brigade, hospital and library. It also built housing for its workers, such as Brewery Cottages and Ind Coope Terrace. However, the brewery faced challenges in the late 20th century due to changing consumer tastes, increased competition and rising costs.

It merged with other breweries, such as Ansells and Tetley’s, to form Allied Breweries in 1961. In 1993, after more than 280 years of brewing in Romford, the brewery closed down and was demolished. The site was redeveloped into a shopping centre called The Brewery.

The People and Buildings

Romford has been home to many notable people and buildings throughout its history. Some of the famous residents include:

• William Derham (1657-1735) was a clergyman and natural philosopher who was the rector of St Edward’s Church and made astronomical observations from Upminster Hall. He published books on physics, meteorology and theology.
• Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) was a printer and novelist who lived in Gidea Hall from 1754 until his death. He wrote Pamela, Clarissa and Sir Charles Grandison, considered among the first English novels.
• Thomas Cooke (1807-1868), was a watchmaker and telescope maker who moved to Romford in 1843 and set up a workshop in North Street. He made instruments for observatories, universities and the Royal Navy. He also built a large telescope for his own use at his house on Victoria Road.
• John Dee (1527-1608), was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and occultist who was an adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. He lived in Havering-atte-Bower from 1568 to 1583 and conducted experiments in alchemy and magic. He claimed to have communicated with angels using a crystal ball.

Some of the historic buildings that can still be seen in Romford include:

• The Golden Lion Hotel dated back to the 15th century and was originally a coaching inn on the London-Colchester road. It was rebuilt in the 18th century and has hosted many famous guests, such as Charles Dickens, Benjamin Disraeli and Winston Churchill. It is now a pub and restaurant.
• The Brewery Tap was built in 1762 as a malt house for Ind Coope Brewery. It later became a pub and was renamed after the brewery closed down. It is one of the few surviving buildings from the brewery complex.
• The Market House was built in 1707 as a town hall and market hall for Romford. It was later used as a courthouse, a fire station and a library. It is now a branch of Lloyds Bank.
• The Congregational Church was built in 1852 as a place of worship for Nonconformists. It is an example of Gothic Revival architecture with lancet windows, buttresses and pinnacles, and it is now part of Romford Shopping Hall.

World War II and Modern Times

Romford suffered greatly during World War II, as the Luftwaffe bombed it several times due to its proximity to London and industrial importance. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed, including St Edward’s Church, which was hit by a V1 flying bomb in 1944. Over 1,000 people were killed or injured by enemy action in Romford during the war.

After the war, Romford underwent significant changes as part of the suburban growth of London throughout the 20th century. New housing estates, such as Harold Hill, Collier Row and Rise Park, were built to accommodate the increasing population. New roads such as Eastern Avenue, Waterloo Road and Mercury Gardens were constructed to improve transport links.

Romford also developed into one of London’s largest commercial, retail, entertainment and leisure districts, offering a wide range of shops, restaurants, pubs, cinemas, theatres and other amenities. It also has several parks and green spaces, such as Raphael Park, Lodge Farm Park and Bedfords Park. Romford has also become a cultural and sporting hub, hosting events such as the Romford Film Festival, the Havering Show and the Romford Pride. It is home to the Romford Raiders ice hockey team, who play at the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre, and the Romford Greyhound Stadium, one of London’s few remaining dog racing venues.

Romford is well connected to other parts of London and beyond by road and rail. It lies on the A12 and A127 roads, which link it to central London and Southend-on-Sea, respectively. It is also served by several bus routes and three railway stations: Romford, Gidea Park and Harold Wood. The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) opened in 2023, providing faster and more frequent services to central London and Heathrow Airport.

Romford is a town that has evolved over time to meet its residents’ and visitors’ needs and aspirations. It has a rich and diverse history can still be seen in its buildings, monuments and traditions. It is also a town that looks to the future with optimism and ambition, embracing new opportunities and challenges.

Conclusion

Romford is a town that has a lot to offer to anyone who lives or visits there. It has a long and fascinating history spanning from Roman to modern times. It has a vibrant and dynamic market has been at the heart of its economy for centuries. It has proud and resilient people who have shaped its identity and culture. And it has a lively and attractive town centre that provides entertainment, leisure and shopping for all tastes and preferences.

If you are interested in learning more about Romford’s history or exploring its attractions, why not visit some of these websites:

• Havering Museum:
• Romford Local History Society:
• The Brewery: – Romford Film Festival:
• Romford Greyhound Stadium:

Thank you for reading this blog post about the history of Romford in Essex. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. Please feel free to leave your comments or questions below.

Source:

(1) Romford News, Sport & Things to do | Romford Recorder. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/ Accessed 24/03/2023.
(2) Nostalgic memories of Romford’s local history – Francis Frith. https://www.francisfrith.com/romford/memories Accessed 24/03/2023.
(3) Regional winners of the best place to live 2023 | Romford Recorder. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/national/23408861.regional-winners-best-place-live-2023/ Accessed 24/03/2023.