Browse the siteWELCOME TO MUM'S GUIDE TO ROMFORD!
From bumps to teens, we have it covered! This is your one-stop site for everything you need to know about living in Romford with children including children's activities, things to do and other local services such as health, education and party providers & supplies!
Whether you have lived in Romford for years or are new to the area, this website will help connect you with great activities for you and your children, help you to discover what's going on in your area and hopefully help to keep the kids busy and entertained. It will also direct you to details of local medical centres, libraries, Children's Centres, fitness clubs, nurseries and schools - and so much more.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as that's another great way to keep up to date with what's happening locally.
In the meantime, if you run a local business or event that's relevant to children and families I'd love to hear from you and get you listed on the site.
NEW - you can now add RECOMMENDATIONS for your favourite businesses! Use our category menu or the search bar to find the listing you want to recommend and click the "Add recommendation" button. You'll be asked to register the first time and then you can add recommendations for as many businesses as you like.
Since lockdown began we have been publishing lots of articles and blogs to help you while you juggle parenting, home learning, working from home and the challenges of staying indoors.
You'll find all the links to these articles here, in one place, making it easier to find what you are looking for.
Summer Reading Challenge - It has just launched and is running until mid September.
101 Boredom Beating Ideas - this is full of ideas for children of various ages, many are adaptable to suit your home and your own children.
Home Learning Ideas and Online Resources - this is being updated and added to all the time so do keep checking!
Breastfeeding support during Covid-19 - We published this during Beastfeeding Celebration Week but the details are very useful for anyone who needs support at this time.
Our Parks & Green Spaces - this is also being added to all the time. Remember that even outdoors we should all still be social distancing!
Have you got a Blue Peter badge? - If you haven't got one, now is a great time to take on this project as there are lots of discounts at attractions nationwide.
Tour The World From Your Sofa - A selection of web cams, virtual tours and live feeds to keep all ages entertained! There's everything from a local zoo to the International Space Station!
How was school today? - This was published just before the schools closed but many of the ideas can still be used now. It is designed to help parents know the right questions to ask to encourage conversation about the school day. As some children are now returning to school it may be useful.
Home Schooling - The Reality - This was written at the beginning of lockdown but as home learning, in some form, may be in our lives for a while yet, it still has some important information. Definitely worth a read.
What's Online - Our daily what's on guide if focusing on virtual events and activities but as traditional events start to run again they will be added too.
Tutankhamun - treasures of the Golden Pharoah- Virtual tour
(FREE)
28th April
- 4th September
Your home, Romford
NHM Tring – Animal Mummies: What’s Inside
(FREE)
30th April
- 18th October
NHM Tring, Romford
Mr May's Big Green Day
(FREE)
29th May
- 31st July
Valence House Museum, Greater London
Summer Reading Challenge: Let's Get Silly
5th June
- 1st September
Online, Romford
Summer Science Online
(FREE)
13th July
- 17th July
On YouTube, Harpenden
If you are running a local event for families or children you can add the details to our site for free.
One of our favourite things to do in the summer is to go fruit picking. Although we don't have any PYO farms in the Romford area, there are some that aren't so far away - perfect for a day out!
Please note - due to Covid-19 safety measures many venues have closed their toilets, cafes and picnic areas. Please check on the amenities available with individual businesses before you travel.
Lathcoats Farm - Great Baddow, Chelmsford. CM2 8LX (approximately 30 - 35 minutes from Romford)
Lathcoats have a great selection of fruit to pick at various times. You'll find strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, tummelberries, currants and more. Covid-19 restrictions are in place to fruit vouchers must be purchased before you visit. Visit the website for daily updates on ripe fruit available for picking (it's best to check later in the day when the staff have assessed what will be available for the following day). There are no facilities for picnics currently and the coffee shop is closed - please do check the website as this may change. You'll find up to date information on the PYO and restrictions here.
Cammas Hall Farm - Hatfield Broad Oak. CM22 7JT (approximately 45 - 50 minutes from Romford)
Cammas Hall is a very popular destination and they are operating a voucher system which is only available for pre booking. They have a great selection of fruit available - strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, cherries and more. There are daily updates on their Facebook page with information about fruit availability. Booking slots are made available daily and can be booked on the website. For details on the Covid-19 restrictions click here.
Parkside Farm - Enfield EN2 8LA (approximately 50 minutes from Romford)
Parkside has a great range of berries and some vegetables available at various times. You can check availability on their website. Again entry is by advance booking to enable the staff to maintain safe numbers of customers. There is a farm shop on site selling local produce - honey, fruit and ice creams.
McLauchlins of Boxted - CO4 5RB (approximately 1 hour from Romford)
As with all venues this year there are special safety measures in place. The is a selection of fruit available to pick - strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, dessert gooseberries, broad beans & gooseberries. You must pre book your visit otherwise you will not be allowed to pick any fruit. There is a shop on site selling produce. For booking information and details of the safety measures in place click here.
Bloomfield Farm - Chipping Ongar, CM5 0NB (approximately 35 - 40 minutes from Romford)
Bloomfield is due to open in mid July - we will share more information as soon as we have it. This year they have just got plums.
Here we are, 6 months of 2020 have passed us by, 100 days since lockdown began and so many things about our lives have changed. This month we will see lots of our favourite businesses opening up again - with safety restrictions in place. We will update our website throughout July to bring you all the most up to date information.
Use these links to help you find out whats happening!
Businesses & Venues Reopening (with restrictions)
We will add any venues to this category as information becomes available. July is a big month where most leisure businesses will be able to reopen in some way.
What's On Guide
For up to date information on events, both virtual and in person.
Holiday Club Provision During Covid-19
Some holiday clubs are reopening this summer with restricted numbers. This means there will be limited spaces available - don't miss out, book your spaces today.
Pick Your Own Fruit
July is a great month for a spot of PYO. We have a list of venues within an hour of Romford where you can pre book vouchers to pick a range of fruit, everything from strawberries to tummelberries - yep, we had to Google it too!
Parks & Green Spaces
Detains of many of our parks, woodland and open spaces which are perfect for picnics and socially distanced get togethers. Play parks are opening on Saturday 4th July. Please be cautious and follow the guidance published in the poster below. As we find out about visitor centres, toilet facilities and other amenities we will update.
Beaches
We have listed some of our favourite beaches, many are quieter and away from the main busier beaches.
Theme Parks
Many theme parks are beginning to open up in July with social distancing restrictions in place. You can find details here.
Libraries across Havering will begin reopening from this Friday 17th July
Friday 17th July opening: Romford, Hornchurch, Rainham, Harold Hill and Upminster.
Wed 22nd July opening: Collier Row, Elm Park, South Hornchurch, Harold Wood and Gidea Park.
They'll look and feel a bit different with the measures we've put in place for the safety of staff and customers:... Read more
If you require free, confidential, independent and impartial advice, you can now access Havering Citizen's Advice online and via phone.
Call 01708 629902 or via www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Lines are open:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am - 12:30pm
Tuesday & Thursdy 1pm - 3:30pm
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
If you are a local business/organisation you can add your listing to our site for free.
A picnic is a great way to spend an afternoon without spending a fortune and it can also be a great addition to a day out, helping to keep the costs down and avoid expensive food outlets and restaurants.
Here's the latest recommendations from our visitors and followers. If you'd like to add a recommendation for a business or organisation search for their listing here on the site and click on the Recommend This button.
Little Meerkat Books
"I am recommending Carla at Little Meerkat Books as she understands truely what books children and adults would love.
We ordered 6 books from her and my family are grateful as my sons are now taking an interest in books now which is good
Usborne are great quality books and the websites are so detailed for activities too
We would always recommend thank you Little Meerkat Books
M. Coleman "
Old MacDonald's Farm & Fun Park
"All I can say is amazing!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I went here yesterday (13th July 2020) with my 3 year old and a friend who also has a 3 year old.
My first trip since they opened it. Upon arrival at 10.15am the car park was busy. We entered without queuing to friendly staff wishing us a great day!
The park was busy looking at the car park but inside it seemed like there was hardly no one! Everyone was respectful with social distancing.
We looked at all the animals. (There is no petting sessions due to current circumstances) we didn’t queue for any rides. The staff went above and beyond at keeping the park safe by sanitising all the rides after use. Including play equipment. A credit to the farm each and every one of them!
Loads of sanitising stations. Toilets are open.
Food places are open but NOT accepting cash. Chips were amazing. You cannot sit inside the cafe but lots of seating outside the main cafe. There is a counter to order food and then a separate one to pick it up. Lots of picnic spots. Including several in the shade.
If you want your child to go on some of the £1 rides/games do bring change as there is none on site.
All rides were open.
Highly recommend! Book in advance to get a discount online. Children under 2 are free.
They also do cheaper tickets from 2-5pm only (I think that is the time )
If you are worried about crowds you honestly do not need to be here! It was a dream! Lots of markings also if you do need to queue for a ride. So people will not be on top of you. We can’t wait to return! X"
Little Meerkat Books
"I will always recommend Carla at Little Meerkat Books as my daughters and sons were sooo happy with the books that was delivered.
Books delivered was big book of dinosaurs, thats not my puppy, duck and 199 things farm and animals.
When we discussed the name of her business I asked Carla and she said she came up with the name of her business from her Nanny Phyllis as she likes the meerkats on the adverts on TV.
Fantastic service for the community
Becky"
Blaze of Upminster Majorettes
"My daughter joined the troupe just over a year ago. She really enjoys the training, and has already taken part in two local competitions. This surprised me first time round as she had only had 4 months of training. But the children are not expected to be perfect they are all just encouraged to do it to improve their confidence. They are all praised no matter how they do. However there is no pressure put on the children or the parents to take part.
Everyone is very friendly and supportive, and even over the current Covid19 situation they have kept in touch to make sure everyone is doing OK. I would definitely recommend this troupe to anyone.
P.S. there are some boys in the troupe too, so it's not just for the girls.
"
Little Meerkat Books
"Little Meerkat Books was very helpful in choosing my little boy who has special needs a few books to send him for his birthday this month.
Another surprise was that a person who won a competition gifted his book to me which was sooo nice
I would always recommend Little Meerkat Books to everyone I know."
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