Market town and countryside
Romford has held a market since the thirteenth century, and its Market Place still trades several days a week. Today the town is one of east London's main shopping centres, with fast Elizabeth line links into the City and West End.
Beyond Romford, Havering feels more rural than many visitors expect. Upminster has a restored windmill and a medieval tithe barn, Hornchurch remembers the RAF fighter station that defended London in 1940, and Havering-atte-Bower is a hilltop village surrounded by country parks.
Places worth knowing
- Romford Market – a historic market with a long trading tradition.
- Upminster Windmill – a restored early nineteenth-century smock mill.
- Bedfords Park and Havering Country Park – woodland and views over Essex.
- Rainham Marshes – RSPB wetlands on the Havering–Thurrock edge.
Getting in and out
Romford, Gidea Park and Harold Wood are on the Elizabeth line. Upminster is served by the District line, c2c trains to Fenchurch Street and the Overground to Romford. The A12, A127 and A13 run through the borough, and the M25 forms its eastern boundary.
Airport transfers from Havering
Stansted is usually the most convenient airport, via the M25 and M11. London City is reached via the A13 or A12 and is often quick outside peak times. Southend Airport is also within easy reach via the A127. Heathrow and Gatwick involve longer journeys, often via the M25 and Dartford Crossing.
See our Stansted Airport transfers and London City Airport transfers pages.
Pickup tips for this borough
Rural lanes around Havering-atte-Bower and Noak Hill can be dark and narrow. A house name and clear directions help. For Romford town centre, give the street and entrance, as the pedestrianised market area is closed to vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Romford?
London City is the nearest by distance, while Stansted is often very practical via the M25 and M11.
Is Havering really part of London?
Yes. It is a London borough, although large areas are green belt and feel rural.
Can you collect from Romford Market Place?
The market area is pedestrianised, so we arrange a nearby pickup point on an accessible road.