Romford –
a popular commuter town with a broad range of housing options from
small apartments to large family homes
BACKGROUND
Romford is
a large town in east London, sitting just 14 miles northeast of
Charing Cross. Its road links to London and the opening of the
railway station in the 1800s were key to the development of the town.
In the 20th century, it expanded significantly, becoming part of
Greater London in 1965. Nowadays it is one of the largest commercial,
retail, entertainment and leisure districts in London.
TRANSPORT
Romford
railway station has a direct connection to London Liverpool Street.
There are also Greater Anglia services to/from Southend and
Colchester Town. A branch line connects Romford to Upminster, for
London Overground and the District Line Tube station.
Romford
is a hub of the London Bus network, with services to Canning Town,
Stratford and Leytonstone.
The
A12 trunk road passes around the north of Romford while the A118 from
Stratford connects with it at Gallows Corner.
AMENITIES
As
a former market town, Romford is well served by public houses,
restaurants and shops.
Entertainment
facilities here include the Brookside Theatre, Romford Greyhound
Stadium, one of the few remaining dog racing tracks in London; and
two multi-screen cinemas. The night-time economy is almost as
significant as the daytime, with thousands of people visiting its
pubs, clubs and bars.
Romford
is home to The Liberty Shopping Centre, which is a retail hub with a
mix of high street brands and popular eateries The town market is
held three days a week, and you will find stalls selling everything
from fresh fruit and vegetables to vintage records and antiques.
Romford
and its surrounding villages have three leisure centres within reach,
one of which, the new Sapphire centre, boasts its own ice-skating
rink. DEspite being a developed town on the edge of London, Romford
also isn’t short of green spaces with excellent facilities and
varied wildlife.
Three
highly rated schools in the Romford area are the Frances Bardsley
Academy for Girls in the town, The Campion School in Hornchurch, and
the Robert Clack School in Dagenham. The Concordia Academy, St
Peter's Catholic Primary and Ardleigh Green are outstanding primary
schools.
There
is no shortage of well-known and local estate agents in the centre of
town, all of whom deal with lettings.
Romford
Town Centre
Romford's
popularity among commuters keeps rental prices relatively high. A 2
bedroom apartment in Basalt Court near the heart of town costs £1,300
per month; you would pay about the same for a split-level dwelling or
for a 3 bedroom semi near the heart of town.
Marshalls
Park
Better
known for the Marshalls Park Academy state school, new housing
developments have now made Marshalls Park an attractive option for
semi-detached and detached properties. There are very few rentals
available in this estate, but if you want to be in the same vicinity
you can find 2 bedroom flats around Pettits Lane for £1,200 per
month. You will still be close to Romford station and walking
distance from the canal and Raphael Park.
Gidea
Park
Gidea
Park was once known as Romford’s Garden Suburb and is to the
north east of the town centre. It has its own railway station and is
home to Raphael Park with a beautiful lake and lawns. A 2 bedroom
apartment here averages at £1,200 per month and a 3 bedroom
house is approximately £2,000 per month.
