Havering-atte-Bower
Template:Infobox London place Havering-atte-Bower is a village in the London Borough of Havering of which the modern borough takes its name.
Havering-atte-Bower is 15.2 miles (24.5 km) north east of Charing Cross.
This ancient village is perched on one of the highest points in Greater London, albiet on the very edge, in the far north of the borough. Situated over 110 metres above sea level with striking views towards London, Essex and Kent, this is a village steeped in royal history.
Edward the Confessor was the first royal to take interest in the area as he established a hunting lodge here which over the years would become a palace or 'bower' and it is believed, though disputed that he may have died in the house that he had loved so much before being buried at Westminster Abbey.
The suffix 'atte-Bower' was added in 1267 when the area became the property of Queen Eleanor. The surrounding areas were known as the Royal Liberty of Havering from 1465 to 1892. For the next 600 years royal would use the house of Havering Palace for various reasons adding the architectural style of the day to the expanding palace.
Royals and famous others who have resided in the village at some point include...
William the Conqueror Queen Eleanor King Edward IV King Charles I King Charles II King Henry VIII Richard Cromwell Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth I Earl of Lindsay King John
Another palace was purchased by Henry VIII to the east of the village called Pygro to releive the now aging Havering Palace. Into the 17th century the Royal Palace of Havering was in decline and was pulled down. Pygro later followed in the 18th century. Only one set of plans exist from the original Havering Palace, courtesey of a survey by Lord Burghley in 1578
The most notable residence in the village now is Bower House, built in 1729 by John Baynes, using some of the materials of the former Havering Palace. Its position in the village is simply breathtaking, looking over the entire modern day borough towards the River Thames and Kent.
The village is surrounded by three large parks, the dense woodlands of Havering (site of one of only two redwood plantations in England, imported from California), Bedford, and Pygro. Bedford Park is a popular family park and renowned for its panoramic views across London.
Nearest places:
- Harold Hill, London, England
- Collier Row, London, England
- Stapleford Abbots, Essex, England
- Hainault, London, England
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