Havering-atte-Bower
Encyclopedia
Havering-atte-Bower is a village and outlying settlement of the London Borough of Havering
, 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
. The village has been the location of a number of palaces and large houses including Bower House
, The Round House
, Pyrgo Palace and Havering Palace
.
of 1086 as Haueringas. It is an ancient folk name which means settlement of the followers of a man called Hæfer. 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. The West London equivalent to Havering-atte-Bower is Old Windsor
in Berkshire
, where there was a Saxon Palace which predated Windsor Castle
. Edward the Confessor
would have travelled to and from his palaces at both Havering-atte-Bower and Old Windsor
. Both villages are on situated on high ground and have great views into London
.
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
, 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.
Havering-atte-Bower is now home to Imogen Heap
.
. 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 Country Park
(site of one of only two redwood plantations in England, imported from California
), Bedfords Park
, and Pyrgo Park
. 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
.
A village sign
, funded by the East London Community Foundation and Havering-atte-Bower Conservation Society, was unveiled by Boris Johnson
, the Mayor of London
on 3 September 2010.
{| class="wikitable"
|Route Number
|Route
|Via
|Operator
|Operation
|-
|375
|Passingford Bridge
to Romford Station
.
|Stapleford Abbots, Collier Row
.
|Arriva Southend
.
|Mon-Sat every 90 minutes. London Buses
service. Times
|-
|575
|Epping High Street
to Lakeside Shopping Centre
.
|Debden
, Abridge
, Stapleford Abbots, Collier Row
, Romford
|Blue Triangle
|Mon-Fri 1 return journey. Times
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.
London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
, located 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
and close to the Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
boundary. It was one of three former parishes whose area comprised the historic Royal Liberty of Havering
Royal Liberty of Havering
Havering, also known as Havering-atte-Bower, was a royal manor and ancient liberty whose former area now forms part of, and gives its name to, the London Borough of Havering in Greater London...
. The village has been the location of a number of palaces and large houses including Bower House
Bower House
The Bower House is a grade I listed Palladian mansion in Havering-atte-Bower, England. It was built in 1729 by Henry Flitcroft. The stable block is separately grade I listed. It incorporated architectural items salvaged from the ruined Havering Palace. It remained a private home until 1976 when it...
, The Round House
The Round House
The Round House is a Grade II* listed late Georgian elliptical stuccoed villa located on Broxhill Road in Havering-atte-Bower, London. The house was built between 1792 and 1794 by John Plaw for William Sheldon. The house is open as part of the Open House London weekend.-References:...
, Pyrgo Palace and Havering Palace
Havering Palace
Havering Palace was one of the many royal residences in England. It was located in the village of Havering-atte-Bower in what is now the London Borough of Havering...
.
Etymology
The name is recorded in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1086 as Haueringas. It is an ancient folk name which means settlement of the followers of a man called Hæfer. The name is recorded as Hauering atte Bower in 1272. The atte Bower suffix means at the royal residence and refers to Havering Palace
Havering Palace
Havering Palace was one of the many royal residences in England. It was located in the village of Havering-atte-Bower in what is now the London Borough of Havering...
, which was situated here. The West London equivalent to Havering-atte-Bower is Old Windsor
Old Windsor
Old Windsor is a large village and civil parish in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire.-Location:...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, where there was a Saxon Palace which predated Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
. Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor also known as St. Edward the Confessor , son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and is usually regarded as the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066....
would have travelled to and from his palaces at both Havering-atte-Bower and Old Windsor
Old Windsor
Old Windsor is a large village and civil parish in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire.-Location:...
. Both villages are on situated on high ground and have great views into London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
History
The village is steeped in royal history. Edward the ConfessorEdward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor also known as St. Edward the Confessor , son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and is usually regarded as the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066....
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
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.
The surrounding areas, including the parishes of Hornchurch
Hornchurch
Hornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
and Romford
Romford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
, formed the Royal Liberty of Havering
Royal Liberty of Havering
Havering, also known as Havering-atte-Bower, was a royal manor and ancient liberty whose former area now forms part of, and gives its name to, the London Borough of Havering in Greater London...
from 1465 to 1892. For the next 600 years royalty would use the house of Havering Palace
Havering Palace
Havering Palace was one of the many royal residences in England. It was located in the village of Havering-atte-Bower in what is now the London Borough of Havering...
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.
Havering-atte-Bower is now home to Imogen Heap
Imogen Heap
Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
.
Geography
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 motorwayM25 motorway
The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a orbital motorway that almost encircles Greater London, England, in the United Kingdom. The motorway was first mooted early in the 20th century. A few sections, based on the now abandoned London Ringways plan, were constructed in the early 1970s and it ...
. It is situated 344 feet (105 m) above sea level with striking views of east London, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. To the north of Havering-atte-Bower is open countryside and to the south are the large suburban developments of Harold Hill
Harold Hill
Harold Hill is a place in the London Borough of Havering, east London, England. It is a suburban development situated 16.6 miles east-northeeast of Charing Cross....
and Collier Row
Collier Row
Collier Row is a place in north east London in the London Borough of Havering. It is a suburban development north of Romford, located north east of Charing Cross....
.
The village is surrounded by three large parks, the dense woodlands of Havering Country Park
Havering Country Park
Havering Country Park is a varied environment open space in northeast London, England. It includes of woodland.It is one of three large parklands in Havering-atte-Bower, the others are Bedfords Park and Pyrgo Park....
(site of one of only two redwood plantations in England, imported from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
), Bedfords Park
Bedfords Park
Bedfords Park is a park in Havering-atte-Bower in the London Borough of Havering.It is one of three large parklands in Havering-atte-Bower, the others are Havering Country Park and Pyrgo Park....
, and Pyrgo Park
Pyrgo Park
Pyrgo Park is a park at Havering-atte-Bower in the London Borough of Havering, in northeast London, England. It is the site of Pirgo Palace, built before 1540 and demolished by 1814; and of Pyrgo House, built 1841, which lasted less than a century...
. The most notable residence in the village now is Bower House
Bower House
The Bower House is a grade I listed Palladian mansion in Havering-atte-Bower, England. It was built in 1729 by Henry Flitcroft. The stable block is separately grade I listed. It incorporated architectural items salvaged from the ruined Havering Palace. It remained a private home until 1976 when it...
, 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
London Outer Orbital Path
The London Outer Orbital Path — more usually the "London LOOP" — is a signed walk along public footpaths, and through parks, woods and fields around the edge of Outer London, England, described as "the M25 for walkers"...
.
A village sign
Village sign
A village sign in some areas of England is a symbol of a village's history, heritage, or culture. They differ from regular road signs in that they are decorative, with the designs usually depicting some aspect of the history of the village...
, funded by the East London Community Foundation and Havering-atte-Bower Conservation Society, was unveiled by Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
, the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
on 3 September 2010.
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.{| class="wikitable"
|Route Number
|Route
|Via
|Operator
|Operation
|-
|375
|Passingford Bridge
Abridge
Abridge is a village in Essex, England. It is on the River Roding, southwest of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Epping Forest and in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood & Ongar...
to Romford Station
Romford railway station
Romford station is located in Romford, London Borough of Havering. It is situated between Chadwell Heath and Gidea Park. It is the western terminus of the Upminster branch line from Upminster....
.
|Stapleford Abbots, Collier Row
Collier Row
Collier Row is a place in north east London in the London Borough of Havering. It is a suburban development north of Romford, located north east of Charing Cross....
.
|Arriva Southend
Arriva Southend
Arriva Southend is a division of Arriva Southern Counties, a subsidiary of transport group Arriva which operates bus services in and around the Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, Rayleigh, Basildon, and Thurrock areas of Essex...
.
|Mon-Sat every 90 minutes. London Buses
London Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
service. Times
|-
|575
|Epping High Street
Epping
Epping is a small market town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of the County of Essex, England. It is located north-east of Loughton, south of Harlow and north-west of Brentwood....
to Lakeside Shopping Centre
Lakeside Shopping Centre
The Lakeside Shopping Centre is a large out-of-town shopping centre located in West Thurrock, in the borough of Thurrock, Essex just beyond the eastern boundary of Greater London...
.
|Debden
Debden, Epping Forest
Debden is a suburb of the town of Loughton, in the Epping Forest district of Essex, England. It takes its name from the ancient manor of Debden, which lay at its northern end. The area is predominantly residential, but is also the location of Epping Forest College, East 15 Acting School and the De...
, Abridge
Abridge
Abridge is a village in Essex, England. It is on the River Roding, southwest of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Epping Forest and in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood & Ongar...
, Stapleford Abbots, Collier Row
Collier Row
Collier Row is a place in north east London in the London Borough of Havering. It is a suburban development north of Romford, located north east of Charing Cross....
, Romford
Romford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
|Blue Triangle
Blue Triangle
Blue Triangle is one of many operators of London Buses, it is based in Rainham and is part of Go-Ahead London. It is the operator of the East London Transit service.-History:...
|Mon-Fri 1 return journey. Times
Also see London Bus Routes and Essex Bus Routes.
The nearest railway station is at Romford
Romford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
. There are frequent services from Romford Station
Romford railway station
Romford station is located in Romford, London Borough of Havering. It is situated between Chadwell Heath and Gidea Park. It is the western terminus of the Upminster branch line from Upminster....
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
. Both routes 375 and 575 can be used to reach here.