Inventory Site Record

Havering Atte Bower was once the location of the Royal Palace of Havering used by the monarchy from pre-Norman Conquest until 1620. Havering Village Green was acquired as public open space by Romford UDC in 1935 and is largely grass, overlooked by the parish church of St John the Evangelist. The late C17th/early C18th double stocks and whipping post used to stand in the south-east corner of the green, and were restored in 1966, having part of the original ironwork. The ducking pool used to be across North Road, a hollow in the ground indicating where it was. A row of horse chestnut trees was planted during Coronation Year 1953 and a seat installed near the west side as a further commemoration. The Green has been used for all manner of village activities over many years.

Site location:

Orange Tree Hill/North Road, Havering Atte Bower

Postcode:

RM4 1QX

What 3 Words:

spirit.films.focal

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Havering

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Romford then bus. Bus: 375, 575

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Research updated:

01/09/2009

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.havering.gov.uk

Havering Atte Bower retains its village atmosphere and was once the location of the Royal Palace of Havering used by the monarchy from pre-Norman Conquest until 1620. The Liberty of Havering was granted in the C13th. The Green has been used for all manner of village activities over many years, and is still used for fairs and fetes. A row of horse chestnut trees was planted during Coronation Year 1953 and a seat was installed near the west side as a further commemoration of the coronation. Adjacent to the west of the Green is St John the Evangelist parish church (q.v). The Green was acquired as public open space by Romford Urban District Council in 1935 and is largely grass, crossed by paths. The late C17th/early C18th double stocks and whipping post used to stand in the south east corner of the green, and in 1966 were restored although part of the ironwork is original. The ducking pool used to be to the east across North Road but no longer exists although a hollow in the ground indicates where it was. A row of late C18th timber-framed cottages and former forge are on the north side of the Green. The Dame Tipping School was built on the Green in 1724 to cater for '20 poor children', founded by Lady Ann Tipping of Pyrgo; the present building dates from 1891.

Sources consulted:

Ben Weinreb & Christopher Hibbert, 'The London Encyclopaedia' (Macmillan, revised ed. 1993); Arthur Mee 'The King's England: London North of the Thames except the City and Westminster' (Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1972); Countryside Footpaths in Havering, Northern Area, leaflet (LB Havering, 1985); The Parks Agency 'Commons, Heaths and Greens in Greater London. A short report for English Heritage', 2005; Paul Drury Partnership for LB Havering, 'Havering Atte Bower Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals', c.2006.

Grid ref:

TQ512932 (551230,193070)

Size in hectares:

0.6

Site ownership:

LB Havering

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

medieval; 1935

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: 1-5 The Green; Stocks and Whipping Post. Local list: 1-4 Havering Green Cottages, 5 & 6 The Green

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

Yes: Green (TVG29 - both sides of road)

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

Yes

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Havering Atte Bower

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Havering Ridge Area of Special Character

Other LA designation:

Improved Bridleway