Bedfords Park and Visitor Centre
A 215 acre haven for people and wildlife,
Just 3 miles north of the hustle and bustle of Romford.
Nestling between Havering-atte-Bower and Harold Hill, the park was once a private estate with an impressive manor house, but is now home to an Essex Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre. Although it is not a nature reserve, the flora and fauna here has a surprising diversity and abundance, and Bedfords could give many a reserve a good run for its money!
The park consists of various habitats on a south-facing slope overlooking the Thames basin, with far reaching views from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, panning across Canary Wharf and the Dome right up to the centre of London, with the north downs of Kent in between. Areas of woodland, scrub, meadows, ponds and a lake ensure a broad range of interest for birds, mammals and invertebrates alike, as well as the human visitors that come here to walk and relax.
History of Bedfords Park and Visitor centre
Bedfords Park has a long history. This area was first mentioned back in 1212, when King John took the land from John Derewin as forfeiture for homicide, and gave it to William D’Aubigny for the annual rent of one Sparrowhawk! Over the next few centuries the land passed between various owners and became part of the Gidea Hall Estate, belonging to Sir Thomas Cooke, Lord Mayor of London. In the late 1700’s, John Heaton bought Bedfords and built the manor house, and it was from then on that the park developed its current character, especially during the period when Charles Barber planted many specimen trees. Many of these still stand, and include Monkey Puzzle, Wellingtonia and Cedar of Lebanon.
In 1932 the Park was sold to Romford Council (now the London Borough of Havering), and it was opened as a public park in 1934. A captive herd of Red Deer were then introduced, harking back to the days of the Royal Hunting Grounds. The manor house was used as a museum, but it unfortunately became derelict during the war, and was demolished in 1959. A café was built on the site and the Park was very popular throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, the café closed and Bedfords suffered a decline until Essex Wildlife Trust entered a partnership with Havering Council, and the Visitor Centre was opened in 2003. Today the park is back to its former glory, well used by families, with a full range of events and activities to keep everyone entertained.
FLORA AND FAUNA
With various habitats, it’s no surprise that there is a wealth of wildlife at Bedfords Park. Woodlands, including some ancient areas with bluebells, wood anemone and yellow archangel, support, nuthatch, tawny owl, various tits and all three species of woodpecker. Wild fallow, roe and muntjac deer wander through the Park, and foxes and weasels are regularly spotted.
The meadows have an abundance of butterflies and other invertebrates in the summer, the ‘Wildflower Meadow’, on the east side of the Park, being a particular highlight. This is an unimproved meadow, supporting many rare species of grasses and flowers, such as pepper saxifrage and pignut – probably the biggest populations of these in Essex. The long grasses harbour grasshoppers and crickets, which have in turn attracted the stunning yellow and black wasp spider. Look out for their webs amongst the grass – try to count them all (you may lose count at a thousand or so!).
The ponds and lake are undoubtedly some of the best places to see dragonflies and damselflies, with 16 species breeding here and 22 species seen since the Visitor Centre opened. Small red-eyed damselflies, in Britain since 1999, now breed in their thousands on the lake, and hairy dragonflies visit each year, which is unusual for an inland site like this. Most of the ponds are inhabited by great crested and smooth newts, and grass snakes are often seen nearby or swimming across a pond in search of a meal.
Every June the Centre’s birthday is celebrated, this year on Sunday 10th, with live music, crafts, guided walks and children’s activities. There are also guided walks, Wildlife Discovery Days and Family Nature Days throughout the summer, publicised in the events leaflet available in the Centre, or on the Essex Wildlife Trust website.
The Centre has two education team members – an Education Officer who runs the children’s activities and school visits in the Centre, and a Community Wildlife Officer who provides outreach work in Havering, at schools, youth groups and churches. A dedicated room for these activities is available, with a stunning wildlife mural along one wall, painted by local artist Paul Young.
Birthday parties are a favourite for children, these being wildlife themed, with pond dipping, minibeast hunting or meadow sweeping, depending on the time of year, as well as a visit to the Red Deer to give them some carrots!