Description
Gaynes, Hacton and Suttons Parkways were established in their present form between 1960-62 to provide a riverside walk of c.1.5 miles along the eastern bank of the Ingrebourne river. The names recall the old manors that existed from early times. Gaynes Parkway at the north commences at Upminster Road near Hornchurch Stadium and stretches to Hacton Lane. Hacton Parkway then continues south-east from Hackton Bridge to St George's Hospital. This is followed by Sutton Parkway, which stretches to the former boundaries of Hornchurch Aerodrome, now Hornchurch Country Park. The Parkways are amenity grassland apart from a small playground area on Hacton Parkway.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | The Ingrebourne Valley Parkways |
|---|---|
| Site location | Upminster Road, Hacton Lane, Hornchurch |
| Postcode | RM14 |
| What3Words | ///smooth.signal.scores |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Havering |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Play area (Hacton Parkway) |
| Public Transport | Tube: Upminster Bridge, Hornchurch (District) |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ547851 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 25.5 |
| Site Ownership | LB Havering |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1960-2 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Havering |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Ingrebourne Valley Metropolitan Importance |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Upminster Windmill is a historic local landmark, set within Windmill Field, an area provided as public recreational space. The Windmill dates from 1803 and was in use until the 1930s, owned by the Abraham family since 1857. In 1937 Essex County Council purchased the Mill estate, initially to develop the site, but the Windmill was preserved as a result of local pressure. It was eventually restored and first opened to the public in 1968, having passed to LB Havering in 1965. Windmill Field was initially leased to an archery club, but open to the public at all other times.
Upminster Park is on former Glebe land associated with St Laurence's Church and owned by the Church Commissioners. Initial proposals to purchase land for a public recreation ground took place in 1920, but it was not until 1929 that Upminster Parish Council succeeded in purchasing the site. It was levelled and a variety of trees planted. During WWII it was one of the few parks kept open for recreation purposes although underground shelters were built on the north-east side. New amenities continued to be added through the 1950s, including playground equipment, tennis courts, footpaths, and tree-planting. The front field was once used by Upminster Football Club, and Upminster Hockey Club had a pitch on part of the park once described as 'comparable with any in Essex'.
Upminster was one of the parishes in the Chafford Hundred, a series of small parishes of isolated farms and hamlets. St Laurence's Church was built in the C11th/C12th on a site where a church had probably existed since the C7th. The C12th base of the tower survives from the original church, which was altered in the 1770s, largely rebuilt in 1863 and later extended in 1928-35. The churchyard is enclosed by C19th railings and C20th brick wall and is densely planted with mature trees, including two avenues of yew and more recent flowering species, long grass and shrubs. The oldest remaining memorials in the churchyard are 4 headstones against the outer walls to the north one of 1695, the others early C18th. There are also several good examples of C18th and C19th table tombs and a War Memorial.