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Raphael Park, Gidea Park

Companionship careHavering

Days out in Havering for an older parent

Nine places in Havering that make a good day out for an older parent, from Raphael Park to Thames Chase Forest Centre. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Raphael Park. Photo: User:Romfordian, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nine days out across seven towns

The best places to take an older parent in Havering

Eight of them are free to visit or to walk around. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Raphael Park, Gidea Park

Photo: User:Romfordian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Gidea Park

Raphael Park

Raphael Park is a 44-acre Edwardian park on the edge of Romford, opened in 1904 as Havering's first public park on land from the old Gidea Hall estate. It has ornamental gardens, Black's Lake with its historic bridge, a bandstand and a café.

There is a café and a kiosk with public toilets, so a carer can plan a gentle loop of the lake with a stop for tea.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Gidea Park

Bedfords Park, Havering-atte-Bower

Photo: Glyn Baker, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Havering-atte-Bower

Bedfords Park

Bedfords Park is a 215-acre former estate and Local Nature Reserve between Collier Row and Harold Hill, known for its herd of red deer and views over East London. An Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre stands on the site of the old mansion.

The visitor centre sells light refreshments and looks out over the park, so a carer can plan a short walk to see the deer and a sit-down with the view.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Havering-atte-Bower

Havering Country Park, Havering-atte-Bower

Photo: Dudley Miles, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Havering-atte-Bower

Havering Country Park

Havering Country Park covers 165 acres of grassland and woodland beside the village of Havering-atte-Bower, once part of the estate of a medieval royal palace. Its avenue of giant Wellingtonia trees is one of the largest plantings of its kind in the country.

Access is on foot from Clockhouse Lane, Wellingtonia Avenue and Pinewood Road, so a carer can plan a short out-and-back walk along the Wellingtonia avenue.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Havering-atte-Bower

Langtons Gardens, Hornchurch

Photo: Ben Ryan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Hornchurch

Langtons Gardens

Langtons Gardens is a historic garden in the middle of Hornchurch, laid out in the style of Humphry Repton around a serpentine lake and overlooked by the Georgian Langtons House. There is also an old orangery and bath house.

The gardens are small and central, with a path around the lake and plenty of places to sit, and pay and display parking is close by on Keswick Avenue and Theatre Road.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Hornchurch

Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch

Photo: Serrity, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Hornchurch

Harrow Lodge Park

Harrow Lodge Park is Havering's largest urban park at 130 acres, with two lakes fed by the River Ravensbourne, wildflower meadows, woodland and a Secret Garden beside Harrow Lodge house. The lakes attract swans, geese, herons and cormorants.

There are free car parks at three entrances and a café in the middle of the park by the lake, so a carer can park close and keep the walk short.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, with free car parks

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Hornchurch

Hornchurch Country Park and Ingrebourne Valley, South Hornchurch

Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · South Hornchurch

Hornchurch Country Park and Ingrebourne Valley

Hornchurch Country Park is on the site of the old RAF Hornchurch airfield, and it runs into the Ingrebourne Valley with London's largest remaining freshwater reed bed. The Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre has a café, shop, toilets and displays on the wildlife and wartime history.

A four-kilometre hard path suitable for wheelchairs runs through the valley, and the visitor centre café and toilets make a good base for a short walk.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near South Hornchurch

Dagnam Park, Harold Hill

Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Harold Hill

Dagnam Park

Dagnam Park, known locally as The Manor, is a Repton-designed landscape of meadows, ancient woodland and ponds at Harold Hill, home to fallow deer and bluebells in spring. Volunteers have uncovered the foundations of the old house so you can walk its outline.

The park is mostly natural grassland and woodland paths, so a carer should plan a short walk from the edge and choose a dry day.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Harold Hill

Rainham Hall, Rainham

Photo: ㇹヮィㇳ, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Rainham

Rainham Hall

Rainham Hall is a Georgian merchant's house built in 1729 in the old village centre of Rainham, now cared for by the National Trust. The house, garden and changing exhibitions tell the stories of the people who lived and worked there.

It is a compact house and garden in the village centre, so a carer can plan a short visit and check the National Trust page for opening days before setting off.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Rainham

Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster

Photo: Roger Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Upminster

Thames Chase Forest Centre

The Thames Chase Forest Centre at Broadfields is the hub of the Thames Chase Community Forest, with woodland paths, a community tree nursery and a shop selling walking sticks, jams and gifts. It is a quiet green space on the edge of Upminster.

The centre is the natural base for a visit, so a carer can ring ahead on 01708 642970 to ask about paths and facilities and then take a short woodland walk.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Upminster

Regular groups and events in Havering

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Havering.

  • Walking · RomfordRamblers Wellbeing Walks HaveringA programme of free, short, volunteer-led group walks held in parks across the borough, including Bedfords Park and Havering Country Park. A carer can book the walk, drive or travel with the person and stay alongside them so they can join in without worrying about keeping up.Details
  • Gardening · HornchurchHornchurch and District Allotments and Gardening SocietyA long-running local society with regular meetings, talks and shows for growers of all levels. A carer can provide the lift to meetings and help carry produce or plants, which keeps someone connected to gardening even if digging has become too much.Details
  • Dancing · HornchurchHavering adult dance classesThe council and local partners run dance sessions for adults in a range of styles, including gentler classes aimed at older beginners. A carer can find a session at the right pace, come along for the first few weeks and handle the travel.Details
  • Photography · RomfordRomford Camera ClubA local club with regular meetings, talks, competitions and outings for photographers at any level. A carer can drive someone to meetings and help with equipment, so a lifelong interest carries on in company.Details
  • Painting · HornchurchThe Arts Society HaveringA local branch holding illustrated lectures on art and architecture, with visits and social time around them. A carer can take someone to the monthly talk, which suits people who love art but no longer paint for long spells.Details
  • Reading · RomfordReading Friends book clubA Havering Libraries book club run online through Reading Friends, a scheme aimed at reducing isolation among older readers. A carer can set up the call and stay nearby, which makes it workable for someone who cannot easily leave the house.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Havering

At a glance

The nine places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Raphael ParkGidea Parkan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Bedfords ParkHavering-atte-Boweran hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Havering Country ParkHavering-atte-Boweran hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Langtons GardensHornchurchan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Harrow Lodge ParkHornchurchan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Hornchurch Country Park and Ingrebourne ValleySouth Hornchurchhalf a dayFreeAskAskYes
Dagnam ParkHarold Hillan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Rainham HallRainhaman hour or twoCheck pricesAskAskAsk
Thames Chase Forest CentreUpminsteran hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Havering

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

Ardleigh GreenNorth OckendonSouth HornchurchNoak HillUpminsterCollier RowRush GreenHarold Park123456789
  1. 1Raphael Park, Gidea Park
  2. 2Bedfords Park, Havering-atte-Bower
  3. 3Havering Country Park, Havering-atte-Bower
  4. 4Langtons Gardens, Hornchurch
  5. 5Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch
  6. 6Hornchurch Country Park and Ingrebourne Valley, South Hornchurch
  7. 7Dagnam Park, Harold Hill
  8. 8Rainham Hall, Rainham
  9. 9Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Havering

Carers in Havering charge £19 to £21 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Havering has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Havering

Raphael Park in Gidea Park, Bedfords Park in Havering-atte-Bower, Havering Country Park in Havering-atte-Bower, Langtons Gardens in Hornchurch, Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch, Hornchurch Country Park and Ingrebourne Valley in South Hornchurch, Dagnam Park in Harold Hill, Rainham Hall in Rainham and Thames Chase Forest Centre in Upminster. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Raphael Park, Bedfords Park, Havering Country Park, Langtons Gardens, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Country Park and Ingrebourne Valley, Dagnam Park and Thames Chase Forest Centre. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 24 of the carers with a rate near Havering drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Havering shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Havering

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Havering

Days out in the areas around Havering

Companionship care by town in Havering

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Havering

See carers near Havering who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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