Key Points
- Romford, in the London Borough of Havering, boasts a rich history reflected in its longstanding pubs, some dating back centuries.
- The Golden Lion on High Street is one of the oldest pubs in Havering, with the earliest mention dating to February 1482 when known as The Lion, according to Havering Libraries.
- The Golden Lion faced a compulsory purchase order in 1956 but remained untouched and was grade-listed in 1979; CAMRA lists philosopher Francis Bacon as a former owner.
- The Golden Lion, now part of Greene King, reports 23 ghost sightings, contributing to its haunted reputation.
- The Ship on Main Road (historically Hare Street) in Gidea Park was first built in the post-medieval 1600s and claims to remain largely in original form despite a 1950s partial rebuild due to dry rot.
- The Ship’s website states: “A detailed history of the place is actually unknown and undocumented. In our opinion the lack of information actually adds to the character of the building and the mysteries of the stories it holds.”
- The Ship is Grade II-listed, dating to 1762 in some records, with features like wooden beams, low ceilings, wood-panelled walls, and huge fireplaces; it is family-run and independent, known for home-cooked food and cask ales.
- CAMRA describes the Golden Lion as a Grade II listed building from the 15th century, claiming it as the oldest inn in England in continuous use as a pub.
- Historical records from London Wiki note the Golden Lion listed as far back as 1440, with the building from the 16th and 17th centuries, described as “a fine specimen of the old inns which abounded in the town”.
- The Ship’s origins are believed around 500 years old, with a Sun Insurance fire policy from 1786 in the name of Gardner, and it reputedly had its own brew-house.
- Other historic pubs in Romford include The Wheatsheaf on Wheatsheaf Road/Brentwood Road, noted for an interior of special national historic interest by CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group.
- The Bull at 74-76 Market Place is a longstanding venue in Romford’s market area, offering a lively atmosphere and beer garden.
- The Bell & Gate at 248 Collier Row Lane provides a traditional British pub experience in the Collier Row area.
- Romford’s pub history ties into its market charter from 1247, fostering a tradition of inns like the Golden Lion which served stagecoaches.
Romford (East London Times) February 7, 2026 – Romford’s High Street and surrounding areas preserve centuries of history through its enduring pubs, with the Golden Lion standing as one of Havering’s oldest boozers, first mentioned in 1482. This Grade II listed establishment, now under Greene King ownership, has survived demolition threats and boasts a haunted legacy with 23 reported ghost sightings. Nearby in Gidea Park, The Ship on Main Road echoes post-medieval origins from the 1600s, maintaining much of its original character despite mid-20th-century repairs.
What Makes the Golden Lion Romford’s Oldest Pub?
The Golden Lion, located in High Street, Romford, holds a prominent place in local lore as one of the oldest pubs in the entire borough of Havering. According to records cited by Havering Libraries, the earliest mention of the pub and hotel dates back to February 1482, when it was known simply as The Lion. This historical nugget underscores its deep roots in Romford’s past, predating many landmarks in the area.
As reported in CAMRA’s pub guide, the Golden Lion is a Grade II listed building dating to the 15th century, which claims to be the oldest inn in England continuously used as a pub. The structure features elements from the 17th century onwards, including a late 18th or early 19th-century front to High Street, rendered with stucco rusticated quoins, a carriage entrance, and C19 bar front. Philosopher and former Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain Francis Bacon is listed among its former owners, adding intellectual prestige to its legacy.
The pub endured a compulsory purchase order in 1956 that led to the demolition of nearby High Street properties, yet it remained untouched and received Grade II listing in 1979. Historical sketches and accounts from London Wiki describe it as dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, considered “a fine specimen of the old inns which abounded in the town,” with stables evoking stagecoach eras. Peter Reynolds, a licensed victualler in the 1870s, operated it as a wholesale and retail wine and spirit merchant, as per Kelly’s directories and census records.
Today, as part of the Greene King portfolio, the boozer retains ancient wooden beams supporting the ceiling in its main bar area, now brightened but once dimly lit, with food served in the public bar and a restaurant upstairs. Its haunted nature is a draw, with the brewery claiming 23 ghost sightings, enhancing its mystique. A TripAdvisor review from a local enthusiast calls it the “oldest pub in UK,” noting its Elizabethan authenticity proven by old deeds during 1960s demolition attempts.
When Was The Ship Pub in Gidea Park First Built?
Situated on Main Road—historically known as Hare Street—in Gidea Park, The Ship is believed to have first been built in the post-medieval period of the 1600s. The pub claims to have remained “largely in its original form” despite changes and a partial rebuild in the 1950s prompted by dry rot discovery.
The Ship’s own website elaborates:
“A detailed history of the place is actually unknown and undocumented. In our opinion the lack of information actually adds to the character of the building and the mysteries of the stories it holds.”
Local history records both The Ship and The Unicorn existing at Hare Street in 1762, with buildings from the late 16th or 17th century. A Sun Insurance Company fire policy plaque, dated March 1786 in the name of Gardner, was found in one of the bars, indicating it had its own brew-house at the time.
As a Grade II-listed building, it retains a picture-postcard Old English appearance with wooden beams, low ceilings, wood-panelled walls, and huge fireplaces. Sugarvine describes it as storied back to 1762, family-run and independent, renowned for home-cooked food, cask ales, wines, and a gin menu, plus live music and private hire events. Barguide.London notes its welcoming traditional vibe blended with modernity, centrally located near Romford Town Centre and Gidea Park Station, featuring a woodburner in a brick fireplace.
Which Other Historic Pubs Contribute to Romford’s Legacy?
Beyond the spotlight on Golden Lion and The Ship, Romford harbours other ancient boozers that weave into its centuries-old tapestry. The Wheatsheaf at 45 Wheatsheaf Road/Brentwood Road earns CAMRA recognition for its interior of special national historic interest, featured on a 2006 London Pubs Group tour.
The Bull, at 74-76 Market Place in Romford’s heart, offers a lively, friendly environment with great value, good service, and a beer garden ideal for summer drinks. Tied to Romford’s 1247 market charter forbidding rivals within six miles, such pubs like those in Market Place sustained travellers.
The Bell & Gate in Collier Row at 248 Collier Row Lane delivers a cosy traditional British pub experience, suitable for casual pints or gatherings, about 1.62 miles from Romford station. Historical licensing records from 1770 onwards and parish registers from 1678 highlight Romford’s dense pub scene, with 21 licensed in 1808 alone.
Why Do Romford Pubs Hold Such Historical Significance?
Romford’s boozers embody the town’s evolution from a market village to a bustling Essex hub within Greater London. Inns like the Golden Lion served stagecoaches, with photos from around 1895 showing the Essex Mail changing horses there under driver Peter Reynolds. This connectivity fostered a vibrant social fabric.
Grade listings and CAMRA accolades preserve these sites amid modern pressures, as seen in the Golden Lion’s 1956 survival. Mysteries, hauntings, and undocumented tales, as with The Ship, fuel intrigue, drawing locals and visitors. Romford Recorder articles spotlight these gems, ensuring their stories endure.
In an era of chain dominance, independent operators like The Ship uphold traditions of cask ales and home cooking. These pubs not only quench thirst but narrate Havering’s past—from medieval mentions to Victorian directories—offering tangible links to bygone eras.
How Have These Pubs Survived Modern Challenges?
Survival stories abound: the Golden Lion dodged 1950s demolition via historical proof, gaining protection. The Ship rebuilt partially for dry rot yet preserved essence. Continuous use, as CAMRA notes for Golden Lion, underscores resilience.
Contemporary adaptations include sports screens, restaurants, and events at Golden Lion, alongside haunt tourism. The Ship’s gin menu and music nights blend heritage with appeal. Amid lost pubs like Kings Arms or Queens Head, these stand firm.
What Can Visitors Expect Today?
Patrons at Golden Lion find changing beers, historic beams, and ghostly whispers in a brightened bar. The Ship offers family-friendly vibes, ales, and fireplaces near transport links. Exploring Romford’s five oldest—Golden Lion, Ship, Wheatsheaf, Bull, Bell & Gate—promises history-soaked pints.
