Which are the best-rated pubs in Havering? Havering 2026

Key Points

• The next bank holiday being the last long weekend before the Christmas season has led to a selection of the best hospitality facilities in the London Borough of Havering.
• This includes five pubs from Romford and Upminster that have performed exceptionally well according to their scores on the TripAdvisor travel website.
• The Archers, located in Gidea Park, Romford, is the top facility in the London Borough with an outstanding score of 4.9 stars out of 5, rated by 282 users.
• The Bull, located in Market Place, Romford, received 4.6 stars with 344 ratings and continues to maintain its position as one of the important towns centers.
• Crumpled Horn located in Upminster got a score of 4.4 stars with 322 ratings and the Junction, also located nearby got 4.5 stars with 164 ratings after the extensive renovations of the building.
• This is because of its designation as the oldest public house in Romford, dating back to the 15th century, and receiving a score of 4.3 stars based on 316 reviews made by customers.
• Out of the three places that have been listed above, there are three places that have won TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards in the past, making them fall into the top ten percent of listings in TripAdvisor.

Romford (East London Times) August 29, 2026 – As reported by reporter Charlotte Anderson of the Romford Recorder, hospitality patrons across the London Borough of Havering are preparing to utilize the final bank holiday weekend prior to the Christmas season by frequenting high-performing local drinking establishments. Amid unpredictable bank holiday weather conditions, a collection of five public houses across Romford and Upminster has been identified based on consistent top-tier customer ratings compiled on the review aggregate platform TripAdvisor.

According to the compiled review data presented by Charlotte Anderson of the Romford Recorder, all five of the highest-rated establishments in the borough are concentrated in the Romford and Upminster localities. These establishments have sustained strong consumer reputations by offering a combination of traditional menus, modernized facilities, live sport broadcasting, and dedicated outdoor space.

What makes The Archers the highest-rated pub in Havering?

As outlined by reporter Charlotte Anderson of the Romford Recorder, The Archers, located on Main Road in Gidea Park, Romford, stands as the premier public house in the entire borough according to consumer review scores. The establishment has secured an average score of 4.9 stars out of five, derived from 282 individual reviewer submissions on TripAdvisor.

Further detailing the venue’s achievements, Charlotte Anderson noted that The Archers earned a coveted TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award in the previous year. This distinction positions the establishment within the top 10 per cent of all listed venues on the global platform. As described in the report, the traditional public house features a comprehensive menu of classic pub food, facilities for live sports viewing, and a dedicated beer garden.

How has historic town centre venue The Bull maintained its high standing?

As reported by Charlotte Anderson of the Romford Recorder, The Bull, situated in Market Place, Romford, remains a prominent staple of the local town centre economy. The venue holds a 4.6 star overall rating compiled from 344 customer reviews on TripAdvisor.

The historic boozer, which occupies a site dating back to the 17th century, secured a Travellers’ Choice award in 2025. Charlotte Anderson highlighted that reviewer feedback for The Bull consistently praises the venue for its “excellent service” and “unbelievable value,” keeping it among the top choices for local drinkers during major holiday weekends.

Why are Upminster locals choosing the Crumpled Horn and The Junction?

As detailed by Charlotte Anderson of the Romford Recorder, two public houses situated in Upminster have achieved major recognition on the aggregate platform. The Crumpled Horn, located on Corbets Tey Road, markets itself as “your dream local” under the management of general manager Russ Crosbie and team members Vicky and Kaeti.

As documented by Charlotte Anderson, the Crumpled Horn holds a 4.4 star rating from 322 customer reviews and stands as another recipient of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award. The venue offers a wide selection of craft beers, specialized event drinks, and a traditional Sunday roast menu.

Simultaneously, The Junction in Upminster has garnered an overall rating of 4.5 stars from 164 reviews. As reported by Charlotte Anderson, the Greene King-owned property recently underwent a comprehensive makeover and refurbishment. Feedback from TripAdvisor users described the updated interior as “fresh, warm and welcoming,” with visitors making specific note of its diverse food menu, screens for live sports, and regular pub quiz events.

What role does heritage play at Romford’s historic Golden Lion?

As reported by Charlotte Anderson of the Romford Recorder, the Golden Lion in Romford holds distinction as the town’s oldest public house, with historical origins extending back to the 15th century.

The historic venue has secured an average rating of 4.3 stars out of five across 316 customer reviews. As noted by Charlotte Anderson, reviewer commentary regularly emphasizes the venue’s “friendly staff” and “great atmosphere.” Alongside its centuries of heritage, the Golden Lion provides patrons with live sporting broadcasts, private function room hire, and an outdoor beer garden.

Background to the development

The public house sector across Havering and the wider East London region has experienced significant operational shifts in recent years, navigating changing consumer habits, fluctuating supply costs, and evolving social patterns. Bank holiday weekends traditionally represent key trading periods for local publicans, offering a vital revenue boost prior to the autumn and winter seasons.

In response to heightened competition from home entertainment and alternative leisure options, venues across Romford and Upminster have increasingly invested in capital improvements, menu diversification, and customer service enhancements. The widespread adoption of customer review platforms such as TripAdvisor has made digital reputation management a critical element of trade, directly influencing footfall during key seasonal holiday periods.

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Prediction: How this development affects local consumers and the pub industry

The highlighted review standings and focused public coverage during major trading weekends are expected to directly influence consumer movement and commercial performance across Havering.

• For Local Consumers: Residents seeking leisure options over extended weekends gain verified, peer-reviewed guidance on service quality, pricing, and amenities. The visible benchmark set by top-rated venues ensures higher operational standards across food quality, accessibility, and facility cleanliness, benefiting customers who expect value for money during leisure outings.
• For Havering Hospitality Businesses: The public emphasis on TripAdvisor ratings reinforces the reality that digital visibility directly dictates footfall. Top-performing pubs like The Archers and The Bull are likely to see elevated customer volumes, whereas competing local establishments may be incentivized to upgrade facilities, refine customer service protocols, or invest in property refurbishments—similar to Greene King’s strategy at The Junction—to maintain market share in an increasingly competitive local economy.