Romford and its Historical Marketplace

Romford: An Historic Market Town

Romford is now a hugely successful market town for the borough's residents and visitors to enjoy. But below this flurry of retailing activity remains the spirit of traditional London with its local pubs and open green spaces. Tradition and a sense of history are strong in Romford – the Market was granted its Royal Charter 760 years ago.

Romford's Shopping Centres

Shopaholics will be spoilt for choice as you can find all your favourite high street names in Romford, in distinct, modern, covered shopping centres; The Liberty, The Mall, and the Brewery (www.thebreweryromford.com).

If you're interested in more independent shops, you'll find there's plenty to see at the Romford Shopping Hall. Look out for speciality niche traders, excellent customer service and value for money. Like the Market, the Shopping Hall enriches Romford's reputation as a town centre where you can still find individual traders with real knowledge of their products as well as all the High Street names.

Romford's Visual Arts Centre

A short walk from the shopping centres, you will find Romford's Visual Arts Centre: a new purpose-built art gallery and workshop. The building, designed by Richard Hazel, uses wood cladding and glass, allowing the space to burst with natural light, and creating a healthy environment enhancing creativity and learning.

Since its opening, the Visual Arts Centre has hosted exhibitions by local and international artists including David Hockey, Peter Blake, The Material Girls, Ya-Africa and Hawa groups of Nairobi, and most recently, Salvador Dali. It also plays host to exhibitions by local schools and colleges.

Romford's Market

The Market Place was once a recruiting ground for the Military Services. No longer can you take The Queen's shilling and become one of the gallant "flat irons" but instead you can contribute to securing the future of the market by purchasing produce that reflects the changing seasons.

Marc Myers, Manager of the Mall says, "The market is quite simply a unique selling point for Romford which carries on a tradition of trading which used to be common in many town centres. People love its colour, vibrancy and vitality."

Essex Farmers' Market

The Essex Farmers' Market continues to trade in the town every second Sunday in the month. Produce from all over Essex sells out quickly as people seek an alternative to supermarkets and sample quality foods from the local area.

Nightlife in Romford

The nightlife in Romford comes mainly in the form of restaurants or pubs. Around the Market Place there are still a number of historic public houses including the Golden Lion situated on the edge of the north side of Market Place.

The Golden Lion was built originally in 1440. In 1600, the Elizabethan philosopher and statesman, Francis Bacon owned the pub. Today, it's one of just two coaching posts left in London.