Harold Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harold Wood |
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 Terraced housing at Queens Park Road |
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 Harold Wood
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| Population | 12,650 (Harold Wood ward 2011) |
| OS grid reference | TQ545905 |
| • Charing Cross | 16.5 mi (26.6 km) WSW |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ROMFORD |
| Postcode district | RM3 |
| Dialling code | 01708 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Harold Wood is a suburban neighbourhood in East London in the London Borough of Havering. It is situated 16.5 miles (26.6 km) east-northeast of Charing Cross. Harold Wood was part of the ancient parish of Hornchurch, which became the Liberty of Havering. Most of the current area of Harold Wood became part of Hornchurch Urban District in 1926. It is near to the Greater London boundary with Essex.
Contents
History
Toponymy
The name Harold Wood was recorded in about 1237, when it was shown as Horalds Wood. It was named after King Harold Godwinson, who was defeated by William the Conqueror in 1066. He held the surrounding manor of Havering-atte-Bower. Some of the original roads are named after Anglo-Saxon kings such as Æthelstan and Alfred the Great.
Urban development
Harold Wood Hospital, on Gubbins Lane, closed on 13 December 2006 with all patients moved to Queen's Hospital in nearby Romford. The site vacated by the hospital was earmarked for a 470-home housing development which faced fierce opposition from the local population. As of February 2023, the Kings Park estate has been completed.
Education
There are three schools in Harold Wood:
- Secondary - Redden Court School
- Primary - Harold Wood Primary School and Harold Court Primary School
Geography
Harold Wood borders with the following places:
- Ardleigh Green
- Gidea Park
- Harold Park
- Harold Hill
- Hornchurch
- Brentwood
Demography
86% of the population is White British, as of the 2011 census.
Transport
Buses
Harold Wood is served by several London Buses routes:
- Daily routes include 256, 294, 346, 496, 498 and 499
- Mon–Sat 347
- School routes 646, 656 and 608
Railway
Harold Wood railway station is situated on the Great Eastern Main Line. It is served by Elizabeth line trains running between Shenfield and Paddington via Whitechapel, Liverpool Street, Farringdon and Tottenham Court Road. The nearest tube stations to Harold Wood are Upminster Bridge and Hornchurch, both on the District line.
Roads
The M25 motorway runs along the easterly boundary and the A12 and A127 roads form the north-west and south-west borders respectively.
