IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Upper Bedfords View, ROMFORD, RM1 4FA

A wild flower meadow managed by Hevering Council in association with the Essex Wildlife Trust.

Looking east towards Harold Hill.

A pleasant afternoon for a picnic.

The bridleway comes out on Image

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 as seen here. 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

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 and this can be seen in the distance here. 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

This is the Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre at Bedfords Park. The park has been owned by Havering Council since the 1930’s. The upper areas are managed as classic parkland. The lower areas are managed to attract wildlife. There is also a deer park go to Image to see one of the inmates. For more information on the wildlife side of the park see http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/bedfords_park/ For more pictures of Bedfords Park go to http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=30977034 Continue a virtual tour of Wildlife Trust Reserves in Essex by visiting Image

Looking towards the Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre at Bedfords Park. The park has been owned by Havering Council since the 1930’s. The upper areas are managed as classic parkland. The lower areas are managed to attract wildlife. There is also a deer Park see Image & Image to see one of the inmates. For more information on the wildlife side of the park see http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/bedfords_park/

This is the scene from outside Image looking down the hill towards South East London. To the right looking over the Image can be seen the towers of canary wharf for more info see http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/bedfords_park/