Real Ale — Pubs in Romford

Toby Carvery Romford

The Brewery, Romford RM1 1AU

The Golden Lion

2 High Street, Romford RM1 1HR

This Grade II listed building dates back to the 15th century and claims to be the oldest inn in England that has been in continuous use as a pub. Francis Bacon is listed as one of the pub's former owners. The main bar area used to be dimly-lit, but has now been brightened-up, and the ceiling is supported by ancient wooden beams. Televisions on two walls show sports fixtures. Food is served in the public bar and there is also a separate restaurant area upstairs.

The Ivy Tree

113-117 South Street, Romford RM1 1NX

Lloyd's No.1-themed Wetherspoon with regular & guest beers. It changes from a normal daytime pub to a recorded music venue on Friday and Saturday evenings, when some of the tables and chairs are stacked away. Photo ID may be required for entry on Thursday to Saturday evenings.

The Moon & Stars (JD Wetherspoon)

103 South Street, Romford RM1 1NX

Wetherspoon pub which reopened with a new roof terrace and lift on 26th November after a £1.1 million refurbishment. It is close to Romford railway station and buses. Guest ales from the current Wetherspoon list. Children permitted in the raised area at the rear of the pub until 6pm Friday and Saturday, but later for the rest of the week. From March 2020 Real Ciders are served from handpumps on the bar. Food served from 8am to 11pm. There are displays of local history on the walls and an assortment of books on the shelves. Toilets (except accessible) are upstairs. It gets quite busy on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Crowning Angel

87-89 South Street, Romford RM1 1PA

Street-corner, Yates's pub in town centre. Opened in November 1997.

The Goose

143 South Street, Romford RM1 1PL

Redecorated pub, with spacious interior and big leafy patio at rear.

The Wheatsheaf

Wheatsheaf Road, Romford RM1 2HD

Suburban pub dating from the 1930s, with some unusual features including an arcaded loggia. Two separate rooms, with medium-sized public bar on the left which used to be two rooms and an off-sales, small saloon on the right. Original features include dark wood beams, plain wood panelling, bar-back and counter. Local custom.

The Victoria

122 Victoria Road, Romford RM1 2PA

Two-storey, cream detached local.

Liberty Bell

Mercury Gardens, Romford RM1 3EN

Sprawling, food-oriented pub/restaurant. One can, however, drink at the bar.

The Ship, Gidea Park

93 Main Road, Romford RM2 5EL

More than 250 years old, this Grade II listed split-level pub has extensive dark wood panelling, timber beams and huge fireplaces. The building is largely unchanged and has low ceilings in places - so duck or grouse! It is a family-run business with quiz nights held on Thursdays and there is live music on Saturdays.

Gidea Park Micropub, Gidea Park

236 Main Road, Romford RM2 5HA

This is the second Micropub in Havering and East London. It opened on 21/12/2017 after its conversion from an accountants' office, which followed a successful planning appeal against Havering Council's refusal for 'change of use' to a pub. It was the South West Essex CAMRA Branch (London Area) Pub of the Year 2020 & 2019. Five to eight Real Ales are served from a wide variety of microbreweries, straight from the casks in the cooled ground floor cellar, with an additional six to eight Real Ales from Keykeg taps. Many Real Ciders are also available, plus wines and gins. This is one of the few pubs where the draught beers and ciders are sold in third of a pint (nip), half pint, two-thirds of a pint (schooner) and pint measures. 2 pint & 4 pint takeaway containers are also available. By 20/10/2021 (less than 4 years after opening) it had sold 1,880 casks of Real Ale (1279 different Beers from 303 Breweries). There is a mixture of high and low tables and chairs, plus some padded 'cask' seat stools, unusual 'spider' lighting and an ever-growing range of pumpclips which represent the Real Ales that have been on sale. Air conditioning was installed in Spring 2019. Payments are by Card / Contactless only and 'tabs' are preferred. No Bookings are taken.

The Drill Hotel, Heath Park

Brentwood Road, Romford RM2 5TD

Re-opened in late October 2016 after refurbishment, the pub now has a food theme alongside TV Sport and Pool.

The New Inn, Gidea Park

41a Squirrels Heath Lane, Romford RM2 6DP

Late 19th century-built traditional local pub with a sizeable clientele of regulars, but also popular with families in summer due to the large play area in the garden. Live sports TV is heavily featured. Although quite small and cosy inside, the pub has two gardens, one of which is a patio area that can house a marquee for functions, while the other is much larger with parasol seating in an area of decking leading to a large lawn with trees, benches and the play area.

The Harold, Harold Wood

51 Station Road, Romford RM3 0BS

Modernised local near the railway station. Numerous framed photos and print adorn the walls. Garden. Lunchtime food.

Deer's Rest, Harold Hill

Noak Hill Road, Romford RM3 7LL

Late 17th century pub, renamed in May 2019 despite a petition against the change. Much-extended and modernised, the original portion of the building is identified by the four-centred arch windows. As recently as the 1960s a caged real bear was kept in addition to a menagerie of other smaller animals and birds. The pub's history is not reflected in any of the decor, which is modern and rather corporate. Large and multi-roomed, there are TV screens in most areas, though there is a TV-free zone albeit with few tables. Although family-friendly, there is a child-free area.

The Alderman, Harold Hill

46 Chippenham Road, Romford RM3 8HX

Saxon King, Harold Hill

Petersfield Avenue, Romford RM3 9PP

Colley Rowe Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Collier Row

54-56 Collier Row Road, Romford RM5 3PA

Converted from two shops, the pub is close to six bus routes, giving easy access to and from Romford. It has a changing selection of guest ales from the Wetherspoon list and also two ciders on gravity dispense (usually Weston's Old Rosie and Gwynt-y-Ddraig Black Dragon). It is often lively around the bar, but there are quieter alcoves at the rear. Alcoholic drinks are served from 09:00. Food is served all day, every day and Steak Night is particularly popular. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016.

The Aspen Tree, Collier Row

Gobions Avenue, Romford RM5 3SP

Large estate pub that’s mainly caters for locals. The 1930s building has been tastefully-decorated and updated. The old public and saloon bars have been knocked-through into one bar.

Havering Well, Rush Green

Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0QA

Reopened in January 2019 after being closed since July 2018. A large, busy pub which had an emphasis on home-cooked food, sport and entertainment. Meals from an Argentinian Parrilla Grill menu were featured Mon-Sat evenings, and Sunday roasts were served, all of which were available for takeaway and home delivery via Deliveroo & UberEats.

Mawney Arms

44 Mawney Road, Romford RM7 7HT

A popular local, well-furnished in the 'Ember' house style. Toilets upstairs (except disabled). Quiz night on Sunday from 8pm to late. May close at 23:00. It was the birthplace of the local SW Essex Branch of CAMRA (originally known as the Romford & District Branch) on 12th January 1976.