Living near a green space is the dream for a lot of people in London. Luckily, there are over 3,000 areas with parks, river or canalside paths, and other public spaces. One of Havering’s most notable parks is Raphael Park in Romford. We want to have a closer look at it below to see why it is so beloved. Then, if you want help with block management in Havering, you can trust Finefair Ltd.
History
Impressively, last year Raphael Park celebrated 120 years since opening in June 1904. It was originally part of the Gidea Hall Estate. Barrister and politician Herbert Raphael gave 20 acres to Romford in 1902, gifting it “to benefit the town”. It became the first public park in the area. Sadly, the Gidea manor house was demolished in 1930.
The opening of the park was a big event at the time. Herbert Raphael was at the ceremony, as well as around 5,000 attendees. Records show there was a procession with a band and fire services, plus hymns and speeches.
Today Raphael Park is one of the best amenities in the area. It is invaluable for the community because it gives locals a large piece of green space to enjoy. If you’re thinking of buying a property in the borough, areas near the park are very attractive. We’d be happy to help too, with services like guaranteed rent and block management in Havering.
Features
There are lots of great features in Raphael Park. Black’s Bridge and Black’s Canal are lovely. The first is actually an 18th century dam, built on what was a small stream at the time, Black’s Brook. The damming created the canal as well as a lake. It is popular today for fishing.
The park also has a bandstand, built in 1904. It has been a fantastic venue for performances for decades. Several refurbishments mean it is still in use today, including hosting the local Concert Band and Salvation Army Band.
Raphael Park has plenty of great amenities for visitors to enjoy. It has a number of paths for walking, including many dating back to 1905. Some of the floral beds and displays are from 1910. There are mature trees, ornamental gardens, and more too. If you’re sporty, there are tennis courts as well as spaces for football and cricket. There’s a children’s playground too.
Interestingly, the park was really popular with soldiers during WWI. Many would spend recreation time here in breaks from training at camps in Romford or Hornchurch. There is even a local story from 1915 about a soldier diving in to Black’s Canal to rescue a woman.
Ask us if you want to arrange block management in Havering
Finefair Ltd offers high quality services throughout London. Our speciality is guaranteed rent, but we can also review portfolios, manage properties, help find new assets, and more. You can come to us and get a great service for almost any need, whether you’re new to investing in property or have hundreds of assets.
One thing you can rely on us for is block management in Havering and other areas. We know blocks can be lucrative, but also that they present some challenges. We’ve got the experience to deal with them to deliver fantastic results. So, get in touch if you need any help.
