Romford Market
Romford Market
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.0
107 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
23
Average
28
Poor
16
Terrible
16
anne1105_11
London, UK53 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
Well I am not an Essex girl. I was born and bred in London, both north and east of the river Thames. I have, like many Londoners, moved out a little. I now live in an outer London borough which has an Essex postcode. I live a short drive, or a fairly short bus ride away from Romford, Essex. I have heard it referred to as the East End but I would strongly disagree with this. As a London child Essex was thought of as the countryside!
I spend many a weekend at Romford, mainly for its shopping and sometimes for the entertainment.
ROMFORD MARKET
Market History
Romford’s famous market began over seven hundred and fifty years ago as a sheep market.
Here is a little of its history taken from http://www.havering.gov.uk/
"It's strange to think that Romford market once depended on the stamina of sheep. But in the 13th century, the distance they could walk in a day was a crucial factor in deciding whether Romford was entitled to hold a market.
Therefore two leagues, or six miles, were reckoned to be the maximum distance of a one-day sheep drive. Since there was no other market within that distance, King Henry III (1242-1247) granted Romford permission to hold one every Wednesday as an outlet for the Hornchurch leather trade.
That six-mile marker remains the minimum distance between markets. It is the legal bedrock on which Romford has successfully fought off the setting up of other markets.
A Tuesday market was established by 1633, and a Monday market around the late 18th century, but this was doomed to failure and discontinued shortly before 1816. A similar fate fell to the Tuesday market in the 19th century.
In a spirit of optimism perhaps engendered by the end of the Great War, traders tried a daily market in 1919, but this idea was dropped in 1925, leaving the three markets that we know today."
The Market Today
"Come and get yer tomatoes 'ere! Two boxes only a pound!"
Recently there have been improvements made to the paving, drainage and lighting by Havering council, home to the market.
It isn't a huge market in length and appearance, but the design means there is room for more market stalls than it at first it seems. There are at least 250 market stalls here on a full market day.
There is a lot of choice available here. Mainly the stalls offer wares of the fruit and veg variety, and many clothing stalls are sited here too. There is a stall selling meat and a fishmonger's stall. Also can be found stalls selling music CDs and those selling computer games. Toys galore can be found and let's not forget the books! Stalls selling foam for cushions and refurbishing sofas, curtains and haberdashery, and those selling computer inks at a great price. It's all here.
The usual market is to be found in Market Place on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It is open for longer in the lead up to Christmas, and there is a market of sorts on some bank holidays.
This is an ideal place for a market with good transport links with the rail station close buy. A huge choice of buses is available, coming and going to destinations such as Ilford, Stratford and further out into Essex.
There are many food outlets within the market; both by way of its food stalls serving burger and hot dogs, a Chines noodle stall, and donuts and seafood is available. Edging the market are cafes restaurants, pie and mash shops, bakeries and chains such as Subway, Wimpy and Macdonald’s, Greg’s and so much more. And there are at least two public houses along the market which serve food as well as drink.
Public Conveniences can be found. Tollgate House at the end of the market place quite recently installed toilets which includes disabled facilities. It is easy to find lavatories here as the indoor market houses them as does many of the stores edging the market such as Debenhams and T.J. Hughes.
Romford Shopping Hall
This is a bit different. Right by the market;seeming truly integrated but warmer in winter, being enclosed. It too has been refurbished and modernised recently. Escalators and a lift have been installed. This indoor market houses more interesting shops and stalls selling some foreign and exotic wares such as and things just that little bit different. A stall selling both new and second-hand books, where books can be sold back to the stall holder, a fancy dress shop and various gift shops, make-up and hair care stalls. There is a haberdashery outlet for sewing and dressmaking enthusiasts. I have bought many items from this stall when I have been making costumes for my daughters and I’m always pleased with the cheap prices here. There are card and jewellery stores and much, much more, for the enthusiastic shopper like myself
I find the market a particularly pleasant place to visit around St Georges Day. Although many areas let this date be forgotten the market is decorated with flags and is awash with white and red bunting.
PARKING
On the days when there isn't a market parking is available parking bays along Market Place, home of the market can be used, at a charge. There are also disabled spaces available.
If you come here for the market then you will find many car parks within easy walking distance of the market, both outdoor and multi storey.
And if the market isn't enough for you and you can still carry some more shopping then there are lots of shops and shopping malls close by. The brewery offers stores such as The Range, Boots the Chemist, Gap, Sainsbury's and more. As well as having these stores it is also an entertainment centre with a bowling alley, multi screen cinema and restaurants.
I spend many a weekend at Romford, mainly for its shopping and sometimes for the entertainment.
ROMFORD MARKET
Market History
Romford’s famous market began over seven hundred and fifty years ago as a sheep market.
Here is a little of its history taken from http://www.havering.gov.uk/
"It's strange to think that Romford market once depended on the stamina of sheep. But in the 13th century, the distance they could walk in a day was a crucial factor in deciding whether Romford was entitled to hold a market.
Therefore two leagues, or six miles, were reckoned to be the maximum distance of a one-day sheep drive. Since there was no other market within that distance, King Henry III (1242-1247) granted Romford permission to hold one every Wednesday as an outlet for the Hornchurch leather trade.
That six-mile marker remains the minimum distance between markets. It is the legal bedrock on which Romford has successfully fought off the setting up of other markets.
A Tuesday market was established by 1633, and a Monday market around the late 18th century, but this was doomed to failure and discontinued shortly before 1816. A similar fate fell to the Tuesday market in the 19th century.
In a spirit of optimism perhaps engendered by the end of the Great War, traders tried a daily market in 1919, but this idea was dropped in 1925, leaving the three markets that we know today."
The Market Today
"Come and get yer tomatoes 'ere! Two boxes only a pound!"
Recently there have been improvements made to the paving, drainage and lighting by Havering council, home to the market.
It isn't a huge market in length and appearance, but the design means there is room for more market stalls than it at first it seems. There are at least 250 market stalls here on a full market day.
There is a lot of choice available here. Mainly the stalls offer wares of the fruit and veg variety, and many clothing stalls are sited here too. There is a stall selling meat and a fishmonger's stall. Also can be found stalls selling music CDs and those selling computer games. Toys galore can be found and let's not forget the books! Stalls selling foam for cushions and refurbishing sofas, curtains and haberdashery, and those selling computer inks at a great price. It's all here.
The usual market is to be found in Market Place on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It is open for longer in the lead up to Christmas, and there is a market of sorts on some bank holidays.
This is an ideal place for a market with good transport links with the rail station close buy. A huge choice of buses is available, coming and going to destinations such as Ilford, Stratford and further out into Essex.
There are many food outlets within the market; both by way of its food stalls serving burger and hot dogs, a Chines noodle stall, and donuts and seafood is available. Edging the market are cafes restaurants, pie and mash shops, bakeries and chains such as Subway, Wimpy and Macdonald’s, Greg’s and so much more. And there are at least two public houses along the market which serve food as well as drink.
Public Conveniences can be found. Tollgate House at the end of the market place quite recently installed toilets which includes disabled facilities. It is easy to find lavatories here as the indoor market houses them as does many of the stores edging the market such as Debenhams and T.J. Hughes.
Romford Shopping Hall
This is a bit different. Right by the market;seeming truly integrated but warmer in winter, being enclosed. It too has been refurbished and modernised recently. Escalators and a lift have been installed. This indoor market houses more interesting shops and stalls selling some foreign and exotic wares such as and things just that little bit different. A stall selling both new and second-hand books, where books can be sold back to the stall holder, a fancy dress shop and various gift shops, make-up and hair care stalls. There is a haberdashery outlet for sewing and dressmaking enthusiasts. I have bought many items from this stall when I have been making costumes for my daughters and I’m always pleased with the cheap prices here. There are card and jewellery stores and much, much more, for the enthusiastic shopper like myself
I find the market a particularly pleasant place to visit around St Georges Day. Although many areas let this date be forgotten the market is decorated with flags and is awash with white and red bunting.
PARKING
On the days when there isn't a market parking is available parking bays along Market Place, home of the market can be used, at a charge. There are also disabled spaces available.
If you come here for the market then you will find many car parks within easy walking distance of the market, both outdoor and multi storey.
And if the market isn't enough for you and you can still carry some more shopping then there are lots of shops and shopping malls close by. The brewery offers stores such as The Range, Boots the Chemist, Gap, Sainsbury's and more. As well as having these stores it is also an entertainment centre with a bowling alley, multi screen cinema and restaurants.
Written June 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie W
Romford, UK16 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
I've lived in romford for over 30 years people used to come by the coach loads to visit the market how ever it's not worth a visit anymore there are hardly any stalls the clothes stalls are more expensive than the shops and the fruit and veg stall are very poor quality
Written December 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashgaroth24
Dagenham, UK185 contributions
Sep 2018
Deteriorated over the years and only about two thirds of the plots are now used, one end is virtually deserted nowadays.
Written September 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah F
Chatham, UK24 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Went on a Sunday. After reading there were around 270 stalls and some from dagenham Market had moved there.
There was only around 20 stalls
I couldnt believe it!
Parking (multistorey) £2.20 for about half hour!!!!! To realise that you can even put the chip that you just paid that money for into the machine for barrier to lift up. You just leave on top of it or give it to a man standing there, gate is just open!
Very disappointed will not be going again. Gutted bring back Dagenham Market!
There was only around 20 stalls
I couldnt believe it!
Parking (multistorey) £2.20 for about half hour!!!!! To realise that you can even put the chip that you just paid that money for into the machine for barrier to lift up. You just leave on top of it or give it to a man standing there, gate is just open!
Very disappointed will not be going again. Gutted bring back Dagenham Market!
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RonGLondon
London1,501 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
Romford Market has everything, bargains galore in fruit, veg, plants, clothes, household, just about everything, it is supported by Arcades full of shops of every type, this market has been here for hundreds of years when I was a child there were pigs and sheep. Market days are Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday, my wife and I only go on Friday and Saturdays as these days have most stalls.
Friday and Saturday, my wife and I only go on Friday and Saturdays as these days have most stalls.
Written November 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillstonard
Yeovil, UK63 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
I have grown up with the market and have seen the recent changes to the market place with the new shopping arcade. shame the old character of Rumford Arcade has gone, but thats progress, a lot of the favorite stalls have now gone but lots of regulars still there, You can grab some real bargains there.
Written June 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rob S
Clacton-on-Sea, UK126 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
poor old romford market, I was born there and it was a great market.
needs to re livened up again. would suit people out of work ,
didnt help about 15 years ago when bill the market inspector with his blow dried hair taking back handers for a good pitch, hopefully he has retired now.
come on havering council use your brains or I can come and help you make it a great market again. dont let it die all together people love a market would be better on a sunday.
needs to re livened up again. would suit people out of work ,
didnt help about 15 years ago when bill the market inspector with his blow dried hair taking back handers for a good pitch, hopefully he has retired now.
come on havering council use your brains or I can come and help you make it a great market again. dont let it die all together people love a market would be better on a sunday.
Written January 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serena H
87 contributions
Dec 2018
i remember when romford market was big but over the last few years the market has deteriorated in size and local people don't seem to use the market for bargains now, unfortunately in the retail business there is so much competition. i feel sorry for the traders.
Written December 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David T
Romford, UK37 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Went to Romford for a change as have not been there for a few years and we got a shock to see not many stalls and looks really run down place now . Such a shame , looks like the council are asking to much money for the stalls as that makes people like us not wanting to come back not good at all
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Epping, UK1,164 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
An enjoyable time was spent wandering around the market. The best stalls were the fruit and vegetables. The prices were very competitive and the quality of the fruits were good plus the selection and displays were colourful and attractive, but the rest of the market looked pretty tired.
The market traders were friendly and helpful.
The market traders were friendly and helpful.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Not been to market for many years is there any good clothes stalls there for teenagers
Debbie D
10 contributions
None
Romford Market - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Romford Market
- Romford Market is open:
- Wed - Wed 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Fri - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Romford Market:
- (0.02 mi) Premier Inn London Romford Town Centre Hotel
- (0.07 mi) Travelodge London Romford
- (0.14 mi) Travelodge London Romford The Quadrant
- (0.21 mi) Montrose Guest House
- (0.26 mi) Premier Inn Romford Central (Mercury Gardens) Hotel
- Restaurants near Romford Market:
- (0.00 mi) Jamies Diner
- (0.02 mi) The Bull
- (0.02 mi) Jas's Punjabi Kitchen
- (0.02 mi) Cafe Fino
- (0.03 mi) Liana's Tea Shop