Havering

Havering is a London borough in the northeast of Greater London, England. It forms part of the historic county of Essex and includes suburban towns and villages such as Romford (the administrative center), Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham, Harold Wood, Harold Hill, Cranham and Gidea Park. The area combines residential neighbourhoods with countryside and parks.

The London Borough of Havering was established in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, created from areas that were formerly part of Essex. It is governed by the London Borough of Havering Council, which provides local services including education, housing, planning and waste collection. The borough is within the ceremonial boundaries of Greater London and is represented in the Greater London Authority.

Havering contains several green spaces and sites of interest. Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve offers wetlands and wildlife, while Havering-atte-Bower is a village associated with the historic Havering Palace, a site linked to the Archbishops of Canterbury. Romford Market and the surrounding town center are notable retail hubs within the borough, which also retains more rural pockets amid its urban areas.

Economy and transport in Havering are dominated by retail, services and light industry, with Romford serving as a major commercial centre. The borough has access to major road routes, including the A12 and the M25, and rail connections from Romford and Upminster to central London and beyond. Upminster station is the eastern terminus of the District line, a key link for residents commuting into the capital. The population is diverse, with housing ranging from suburban family homes to local authority estates.