Elm Park is a neighbourhood that sits in the popular area of Hornchurch. While its homes might not be anything special – most are post-war semi-detached houses – they are well maintained and affordable. Aside from housing options, there are also multiple schools in the area, like RJ Mitchell Primary, St. Alban’s Catholic, and Elm Park Primary. For these reasons, families are especially attracted to Elm Park. Despite the quiet vibe in the area, there are some shops and eateries that locals frequent. Residents often stop by Good Intent for a pint, Sunshine for fish and chips, and Mrs. P’s for cupcakes. When they’re in search of something more exciting to do, it’s only a short walk to any of the other neighbouring parts of Hornchurch, many of which have vast public parks. For anyone looking to live in Hornchurch without breaking the bank, Elm Park is a wonderful option!

Elm Park really began to develop in 1934 when Richard Costain and Sons built on Elm Park Farm. Their buildings were inspired by the garden city movement, aiming to house a large group of residents while still providing them with outdoor space in a self- contained community. In 1937, advertisements for the area promoted the neighbourhood’s clear air and large avenues. By the 1950s, many flats had been built, and shops had been added as well. Since then, many of the developments in Elm Park have been high density buildings.

RJ Mitchell Primary School sits on land that once served as an airfield during the First World War. In order to honour its history, the school has pictures and artefacts from the airfield on display throughout its halls.

Unfortunately, some sections of Elm Park are considered more deprived than the other parts of Hornchurch. Still, despite these deprivation index measurements, residents feel safe in the area and enjoy the tight knit community that exists there.

The Borough of Havering has just finished work a few years back on a series of affordable homes in Elm Park. The development will offer two- and three-bedroom homes set at affordable rents, and others through Low Cost Home Ownership schemes. While the development only brings 18 new homes to the neighbourhood, it is still a step towards providing for residents in one of the most popular areas of the borough.

In late 2022, an application was made to the authority to extend a mezzanine at 34 The Broadway to create a multi-purpose hall and a prayer space for Muslim students. The plans also contain additional uses for the site, including community facilities to teach English classes for speakers of other languages, provide fitness classes for the elderly, youth programmes and adult education classes.