At Chase Cross

Image: © Marathon Taken: 14 Jun 2017

This view looks across Lower Bedford Road to the edge of Bedfords Park. What is now Bedfords Park originated in the two adjoining estates of Bedfords, believed to be named after John Bedford, who held the land in 1362, and Earls, which later became known as Upper Bedfords. The lane which had run from Broxhill Road to Lower Bedfords Road and going past Bedfords was closed by the owner around 1777. This is still the main north-south route through the park although from Broxhill Road to the Visitor Centre it is a proper access road while to the south of this as far as Lower Bedfords Road it is no more than a path. Bedfords was sold to Romford Urban District Council in 1933 who opened the park to the public in 1934, and instituted a museum in the house. During the Second World War Bedfords House was used by the Auxiliary Fire Service and afterwards was used as the Council archive but was gradually allowed to fall into disrepair until it was demolished in 1959. In the 1960s a cafe was built on the site of the house until this also fell out of use in the 1980s. The site of the house is now occupied by a Visitor Centre run by Essex Wildlife Trust. For a fuller history see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedfords_Park and for a list of the facilities see http://www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/bedfords-park

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