Description
Havering Hall, a large a double-fronted brick house, was built in 1858/9 on the site of an earlier C18th house. From the C18th, gentlemen's villas and parks began to be built in the area around the village of Havering-atte-Bower. The Hall was purchased in 1979 by St Francis Hospice and opened to patients in 1984. The grounds contain some exotic specimen trees, possibly survivals from a C19th arboretum and include a mulberry, Tree of Heaven, Mount Atlas cedar, Holm oak, cork oak, yew, monkey puzzle and magnolia grandiflora. The quality of the environment is an important aspect of the work of the hospice, the gardens providing positive benefit for the patients.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | The Hall |
|---|---|
| Site location | Broxhill Road, Havering-Atte-Bower |
| Postcode | RM4 1QH |
| What3Words | ///drape.loaded.slide |
| Type of Site | Institutional Grounds |
| Borough | Havering |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private - to check if any open days |
| Public Transport | Rail: Romford then bus. Bus: 500, 502 |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Havering Hall, a large a double-fronted brick house, was built in 1858/9 on the site of an earlier C18th house near Havering Village Green (q.v.) and its parish church of St John (q.v.). From the C18th gentlemen's villas and parks began to be built in the area around the village of Havering-atte-Bower, perhaps attracted by the fine views from Havering Ridge. The area remains rural today, with a few large houses such as The Round House (q.v.) just to the west of the Hall and Bower House (q.v.).
The Hall was purchased in 1979 by St Francis Hospice, a charity founded to provide ‘hospice at home' services, in-patient and day care to residents of Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Brentwood and in-patient and day care services to patients in Redbridge who are suffering from a life-limiting illness. It also offer support to the families and carers of patients. The Hall was converted for the new use and opened for patients in 1984. In 2007 a purpose built education and conference facility, the Pepperell Centre, was opened.
The house is surrounded by grounds that contain some exotic specimen trees, possibly survivals from a C19th arboretum and include a mulberry, Tree of Heaven, Mount Atlas cedar, holm oak, cork oak, yew, monkey puzzle and magnolia grandiflora. The quality of the environment is an important aspect of the work of the hospice, the gardens providing positive benefit for the patients. There are a number of garden areas including a small area by the education centre, as well as patio and hanging baskets. The Hospice gardens have won a number of awards in recent years, including 'London Hospices Garden' award from London Gardens Society in 2008 and 2009, as well as awards from London in Bloom and Havering in Bloom. Among new projects in the gardens run by the Hospice gardener and team of volunteers, is development of a greenhouse funded by a donation and support in kind from a bricklayer.
The Hall was purchased in 1979 by St Francis Hospice, a charity founded to provide ‘hospice at home' services, in-patient and day care to residents of Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Brentwood and in-patient and day care services to patients in Redbridge who are suffering from a life-limiting illness. It also offer support to the families and carers of patients. The Hall was converted for the new use and opened for patients in 1984. In 2007 a purpose built education and conference facility, the Pepperell Centre, was opened.
The house is surrounded by grounds that contain some exotic specimen trees, possibly survivals from a C19th arboretum and include a mulberry, Tree of Heaven, Mount Atlas cedar, holm oak, cork oak, yew, monkey puzzle and magnolia grandiflora. The quality of the environment is an important aspect of the work of the hospice, the gardens providing positive benefit for the patients. There are a number of garden areas including a small area by the education centre, as well as patio and hanging baskets. The Hospice gardens have won a number of awards in recent years, including 'London Hospices Garden' award from London Gardens Society in 2008 and 2009, as well as awards from London in Bloom and Havering in Bloom. Among new projects in the gardens run by the Hospice gardener and team of volunteers, is development of a greenhouse funded by a donation and support in kind from a bricklayer.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ513931 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | St Francis Hospice |
| Site Management | St Francis Hospice. Hospice Gardener: Dave Collins |
| Dates | 1858/9 |
| 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 | 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 | Archaeological Priority Area |
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
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.
Havering-Atte-Bower, once the location of the Palace of Havering used by royalty from pre-Norman Conquest until 1638, was one of three parishes within the Royal Manor and Liberty of Havering. Its parish church of St John the Evangelist faces Havering Village Green, and is built on the site of a C12th church of St Mary's, formerly one of the Palace chapels. The churchyard has a number of mature trees and is enclosed by a low wall. The oldest among the graves is that of Thomas Cheek (d.1688), Lieutenant of the Tower of London and owner of nearby Pyrgo Park.
The Round House, a late C18th oval stuccoed country villa, was built for William Sheldon, and is said to owe its unusual shape resembling a tea-caddie to his profession as a successful tea merchant. From the C18th gentlemen's mansions and parks began to be built around the old village of Havering-atte-Bower, which had fine views southwards across the Thames. In the early C20th the house was occupied by the Revd Joseph Hardwick Pemberton, a famous rose-grower and President of the National Rose Society. Here he grew and hybridised roses, including the Alexandra Rose as well as various Musk and Shrub roses. The adjacent grounds of Roundhouse Farm have the site of a large kitchen garden, now grassed, enclosed with high brick walls.