This area is unique in that it sits at the crossroads of multiple wards and boroughs. While the neighbourhood is technically referred to as a part of Romford, it is in fact in located on the border of Barking and Dagenham, and Redbridge. However, locals simply refer to the neighbourhood as Chadwell Heath. Being a well-loved suburban pocket of outer London, Chadwell Heath is home to both affluent families as well as white, working-class council tenants. It’s no wonder that locals of Chadwell Heath love the area seeing that it has so much to offer. Whether it’s the area’s lush St. Chad’s Park, close proximity to the Chadwell Heath rail station, or mixed but affordable housing options, there’s countless reasons to be drawn to Chadwell Heath.

The name Chadwell Heath comes from the Old English word for “Cold Spring.” The area was originally used as a hunting ground for the King Henry VIII in the 1400s. The heath was eventually enclosed in the 1800s, although pieces of it are still open to the public today as a part of St. Chad’s Park. Residents believed that the water in the heath’s well was powerful, and could serve as a remedy for eye illnesses. Eventually, with the introduction of the Great Eastern Railway in 1864, the area began to see an increase in suburban development. The building of houses continued up until WWII, when well-known developments like Tutor Parade were built in the area. Today, visitors roaming the neighbourhood are still able to gaze at the old terraced houses and villas that line the streets.

Renowned feminist activist, Mary Wollstonecraft, grew up in Chadwell Heath. Her daughter, Mary Shelley, is also well known for her work as the author of Frankenstein.

Titanic survivor, Eva Hart, lived in Chadwell Heath until her death in 1996. Her home was on Japan Road, just near the park.

The jawbones of a whale that had washed up in the Thames in the 1600s served as an arch on Chadwell Heath High Road.

While the area is receiving uplift from interested investors and developers, this unfortunately means that the future of many of the neighbourhood’s beloved institutions is in jeopardy. The White Horse Pub, a local spot that had been around for over 400 years, closed its doors a few years ago, when Kingsbury Consultants purchased it for 4 million pounds. However, since the community members of Chadwell Heath take extensive pride in their neighbourhood, they were able to successfully band together and issue a petition to re-open the pub. In response to this work, the developers are now going to ensure that a pub remains on the first floor of the development. In 2020 and early 2021, the White Horse Pub was gutted and devastated by two fires, with some local residents suspecting arson but warnings that the pub could be easily prone to fires were made known to the council as early as 2019. The new development of the site, proposed by Oakwood Real Estate, plans to reestablish the pub on the ground floor and deliver 104 high quality homes.

The Elizabeth Line now stops at Chadwell Heath station, which has been greatly improved by TfL to support the increase and change in usage. These enhancements include an improved ticket hall with new ticket machines and a new gateline, step-free access from platform to street, and new furniture. The area around the station has also been enhanced by TfL, in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge. It is possible to get from the area to Liverpool Street Station, as well as other central London destinations, in under 30 minutes! As a result of the Elizabeth Line, the area is already beginning to see an increase in developer interest.

In preparation for the arrival of the Elizabeth Line, TfL has taken over the operation of nearby Chadwell Heath rail station. While the rail station sits just outside of the neighbourhood’s border, the incoming CrossRail service will still make it possible to get from the area to Liverpool Street Station, as well as other central London destinations, in under 30 minutes. With this incoming connection, the area is already beginning to see an increase in developer interest. A large regeneration scheme was proposed for Chadwell Heath, which would be one of the biggest regeneration projects next to an Elizabeth Line station. The project would build new primary and secondary schools, a huge 147,000 sq m for shops and a massive new 24,000 sq m supermarket in the middle of the town. It would also deliver between 3500 and 4200 new homes, depending on which masterplan option is favoured.