Havering-atte-Bower
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- "Pyrgo" redirects here. For other meanings, see Pyrgo (disambiguation).
Coordinates: 51°37′13″N 0°11′16″E / 51.6203°N 0.1877°E
| Havering-atte-Bower | |
  Havering-atte-Bower
Havering-atte-Bower shown within Greater London |
|
| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| - Charing Cross | 15 mi (24 km) SW |
| London borough | Havering |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ROMFORD |
| Postcode district | RM4 |
| Dialling code | 01708 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Romford |
| London Assembly | Havering and Redbridge |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Havering-atte-Bower is a village and outlying settlement of the London Borough of Havering,[1] located 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Charing Cross and close to the Greater London boundary. It was one of three former parishes whose area comprised the historic Royal Liberty of Havering.[2]
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[edit] The village
The ancient village is perched on one of the highest points in London, in the far north of the borough and near to the M25 motorway. It is situated 344 feet (105 m) above sea level with striking views of East London, Essex and Kent. To the north of Havering-atte-Bower is open countryside and to the south are the large suburban developments of Harold Hill and Collier Row.
The village is surrounded by three large parks, the dense woodlands of Havering (site of one of only two redwood plantations in England, imported from California), Bedfords Park, and Pyrgo. The most notable residence in the village now is Bower House, built in 1729 by John Baynes, using some of the materials of the former Havering Palace. The area is on the route of the London Outer Orbital Path.
[edit] Etymology
The name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Haueringas.[3] It may be an ancient folk name which means settlement of the followers of a man called Hæfer or perhaps it is derived from the legend that Edward the Confessor received back from a traveller the ring which the king had given to him - hence "have-ring".[3] The name is recorded as Hauering atte Bower in 1272. The atte Bower suffix means at the royal residence and refers to Havering Palace, which was situated here.[3]
[edit] History
The village is steeped in royal history. Edward the Confessor was the first royal to take interest in the area as he established a hunting lodge here which over the years would become a palace or 'bower' and it is believed, though disputed that he may have died in the house that he had loved so much before being buried at Westminster Abbey.
The surrounding areas, including the parishes of Hornchurch and Romford,[2] formed the Royal Liberty of Havering from 1465 to 1892. For the next 600 years royalty would use the house of Havering Palace for various reasons adding the architectural style of the day to the expanding palace.
Another palace was purchased by Henry VIII to the east of the village called Pyrgo to relieve the now aging Havering Palace. Into the 17th century the Royal Palace of Havering was in decline and was pulled down. Pyrgo later followed in the 18th century. Only one set of plans exist from the original Havering Palace, courtesy of a survey by Lord Burghley in 1578.
Dame Tipping School in the village was founded by Dame Anne Tipping who was daughter of Thomas Chief a governor of the Tower of London. The school opened in 1891 and is still running today with the same main building since the school was founded, but through the years the school has had many various changes and extensions.
Immanuel School, on the site of the old Havering Grange, at the bottom of Orange Tree Hill, is a Christian school operated by Immanuel Ministries for children from age 3 to 16.
The village green still has on display its original village stocks, while on the opposite side of the road is a pond known as "Ducking Pond", rumored to have been used for trials of witches. Though the name of the pond suggests such a history, hard evidence is yet to be uncovered. However, there are currently plans to reconstruct a replica ducking stool at the site.
The history of the area dates back to Saxon times and archaeological finds in and around Havering Country Park suggest that there was most likely a Roman Villa or similar structure in the area.
[edit] Transport
Transport is quite limited in this area, and is only served by one main route, Route 375. There is also route 575 which passes through the area, but this only has one return journey.
| Route Number | Route | Via | Operator |
375  |
Passingford Bridge to Romford Station  . |
Stapleford Abbots, Havering-atte-Bower, Collier Row. | Arriva Southend |
| 575 | Epping High Street to Romford Station and Lakeside Shopping Centre. |
Debden, Abridge, Passingford Bridge, Stapleford Abbots, Havering-atte-Bower, Collier Row. | Blue Triangle |
Also see London Bus Routes and Essex Bus Routes.
The nearest railway station is at Romford. There are frequent services from Romford Station to London and East Anglia. Both routes 375 and 575 can be used to reach here.
[edit] External links
- Lost Heritage: A History of Pyrgo Park
- Havering-Atte-Bower Football Club
- Havering-Atte-Bower Cricket Club
[edit] References
- ^ Havering London Borough Council - A history of Havering atte Bower
- ^ a b Vision of Britain - Havering atte Bower liberty
- ^ a b c Mills, D., Oxford Dictionary of London Place Names, (2004) ISBN 0198609574
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| Section 20: | London Outer Orbital Path | Section 21: |
|---|---|---|
| Chigwell | Havering-atte-Bower | Harold Wood |
