WELCOME 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.
It's here! Our Christmas competition this year is huge. We have 12 amazing prizes to give away all gifted to us by local businesses.
Each day, from 1st to 12th December, there will be a different competition posted on our Facebook page. You can enter each different competition once. To enter please email [email protected] stating:
We have collaborated will 12 local business and they have kindly contributed some terrific prizes. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them all sincerely for their generosity.
🎄1st December
Romford Shopping Hall Santa's Grotto - Tickets for a family with up to 3 children to visit Santa.
🎄2nd December
I'll Bring Dessert - A family sized homemade Christmas pudding.
🎄3rd December
Jolly Good Scents Independent Scentsy Consultant - A ‘Santa’s List’ electric Christmas wax warmer with black raspberry vanilla melts.
🎄4th December
Toddler Sense Romford – 5 free weeks of Toddler Sense Classes.
🎄5th December
Party with Jelly Jade - A free hour of face painting for up to 15 children.
🎄6th December
Daisy First Aid West Essex – £25 towards a paediatric first aid course, a first aid book and magnet.
🎄7th December
Glitter Glasses, Gifts & More by Daniella – A personalised Christmas Eve bag with glitter glass gifts.
🎄8th December
Your Own Life Organised – An Organiser in Bright Palm and a Bedside Book in Coral Wave.
🎄9th December
Sapphire Ice and Leisure – A family ice skating session for 2 x adults and 2 x children.
🎄10th December
Aquatots – 50% off a level one swimming term with free underwater photos.
🎄11th December
Gemz by Emz - A voucher for an engraved photo keyring.
🎄12th December
Mind, Body and Spirit Hotel Spa Room – a midweek morning spa including full use of facilities (pool, sauna, steam and jacuzzi) and a 30 minute treatment of your choice for one person.
Please see full Terms & Conditions here.
All winners will be drawn using a random name picker on 13th December and winners will be notified by email and/or phone. Winning names will also be posted on our Facebook page.
Christmas Grotto
7th November
- 24th December
The Mercury Mall, Romford
The German Christmas Market
(FREE)
8th November
- 23rd December
The Meadowcroft Garden Centre, Battlesbridge, Wickford
Alton's Santa's Grotto
10th November
- 24th December
Alton Garden Centre, Wickford
Santa's Grotto at Bluewater
15th November
- 24th December
Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe
Ice Skate at Bluewater
15th November
- 6th January
Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe
Santa's Animal Grotto Experience
17th November
- 23rd December
Thurrock Garden Centre, Ockenden
Santa's Snowflake Grotto
22nd November
- 24th December
Westfield Stratford City, Stratford
Jack and the Beanstalk
28th November
- 6th January
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
Aladdin - A Family Pantomine
30th November
- 6th January
Thameside Theatre, Grays
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
1st December
- 23rd December
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
Christmas Event at Lee Valley White Water Centre
1st December
- 24th December
Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross
Legends of King Arthur
4th December
- 30th December
Brentwood Theatre, Brentwood
LatchOn Weekly Drop In - Queens Theatre
(FREE)
11th December
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
The Nutcracker - Interactive Story Telling
11th December
Brentwood Theatre, Brentwood
Bedfords Park Nature Tots
12th December
Essex Wildlife Trust - Bedford Park, Havering-atta-Bower
A Magical Valence Christmas
12th December
Valence House, Dagenham
A Christmas Carol - The Musical
12th December
- 22nd December
Brookside Theatre, Romford
Girls Street Dance for 14-16 year olds
12th December
Central Park Leisure Centre, Harold Hill
Christmas Magic
12th December
Valence House, Dagenham
Santa at Thorndon
13th December
- 16th December
Thorndon Countryside Centre, Brentwood
LatchOn at The Pink Parachute
(FREE)
13th December
The Pink Parachute, Hornchurch
The Father Christmas Experience - Marsh Farm
14th December
- 16th December
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
Tasty Treats Christmas Concert
(FREE)
14th December
First Step, Hornchurch
Harry Potter Potions Evening
14th December
Vallence House, Dagenham
A Christmas Carol
14th December
Valentines Mansion & Gardens, Ilford
Silver Wheels Roller Disco
15th December
Beacontree Heath Leisure Centre, Dagenham
Breakfast with Santa - Thurrock Garden Centre
15th December
- 16th December
Thurrock Garden Centre, Ockenden
Breakfast with Santa & Elsa - Plant Perfections
15th December
- 16th December
Plant Perfections, Aveley Road, Upminster
Christmas Special 2018 - Audley End Miniature Railway
15th December
- 24th December
Audley End Miniature Railway, Saffron Walden
An Elf's Wish
15th December
- 16th December
Nevendon Manor, Wickford
The Willows In Winter - Santa visits Toad's Caravan
15th December
- 16th December
Essex Wildlife Trust Hanningfield Reservoir , Billercay
Santa's Grotto
15th December
- 16th December
Romford Shopping Hall, Romford
Christmas Market at Lee Valley White Water Centre
(FREE)
15th December
- 16th December
Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross
Sparky The Elf & The Secret Toyshop
15th December
- 30th December
Near Santa's Grotto , Romford
2018 Santa Specials - Epping Ongar Railway
15th December
- 16th December
Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar Station, Ongar
Breakfast or Tea with Santa - Wyvale
15th December
- 16th December
Wyvale Garden Centre, Upminster Common
Christmas at Barleylands
15th December
- 16th December
Barleylands , Billericay
Santa's Grotto Experience
15th December
- 16th December
Woolston Manor Golf & Country Club, Chigwell
2018 Pay & Play Family Weekend at the P.T.Barn
15th December
- 16th December
The P.T. Barn, Langdon Hills
The Brittons Academy Christmas Fair
(FREE)
15th December
The Brittons Academy, Rainham
Sail with Santa
15th December
- 16th December
Tower Pier, London
Santa on The Pier
15th December
- 24th December
Southend Pier, Southend on Sea
Reindeer Trail
15th December
- 16th December
Essex Wildlife Trust The Naze, Walton On The Naze
Christmas Shopping Days - Stubbers Activity Camps
15th December
Stubbers Activity Centre, Upminster
Belle's Afternoon Tea
16th December
Berwick Manor, Rainham
Lunch with Father Christmas
16th December
Mulberry House, High Ongar
Hatfield Peverel Food Market
16th December
Hatfield Peverel Village Hall, Hatfield Peverel
Farmyard Festivities
16th December
Wellgate Community Farm, Romford
Reindeer Encounter and Christmas Shopping Event
(FREE)
16th December
Chelmsford Market, Chelmsford
We have been researching all things Christmas related and have already got a jam packed 'What's On' guide for you. Some of these events will be in Romford and some are a bit further away, but as it's Christmas we have included as many as possible. Please take some time to have a really good read as a lot of events are already selling out the dates they have listed. We will continue to add to this guide as new events are announced.
December is here and that means only one thing - a 'What's On' guide bursting with fantastic events to entertain and amuse the whole family.
It has been so difficult to choose just a few events to feature this month - so there may be one or two extra! Santa is busy finalising his lists but can still be seen in various places around Havering. For a full list of where to find him, Christmas Markets and other Christmassy events check out our Guide to Christmas.
Our 'What's On' guide is being updated daily so it is definitely worth keeping tabs on that, and checking it regularly for new events.
So, this months top picks are...
Disney in Lowryland - Lowry Road, Dagenham
1st December 6pm
Hylands House Frost Fair - Hylands House
1st & 2nd December
T'was The Night Before Christmas - Queens Theatre Hornchurch
1st - 23rd December at Queens
Santa at Thorndon - Thorndon Countryside Centre
6th - 9th December
Magical Valence Christmas - Valence House
8th December
Christmas Shopping Days - SMASH Camps at Stubbers Adventure Centre
8th & 15th December
Santa Steam - Lodge Farm Park
8th December
Snow Globes - Ingrebourne Visitors Centre
8th December
A Christmas Carol The Musical - Brookside Theatre
12th - 22nd December
Sparky The Elf & The Secret Toyshop - At a secret location!!
15th - 30th December
Stilt Walking Elves - Romford Market
15th December
Farmyard Festivities - Wellgate Community Farm
16th December
Teens Christmas Party - Wild Forest
19th December
Santa Stop Here Lantern Painting - The Mercury Mall
21st December
Aladdin - MyPlace Centre, Harold Hill
21st - 22nd December
Christmas Carol Service - Hopefield Animal Sanctuary
23rd December
Post Christmas Steam Up - Lodge Farm Park
27th December
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This Christmas the Mum’s guide to Romford family are making a pledge. We are going to buy at least 5 gifts from small local businesses. There are literally hundreds of businesses selling handmade or bespoke products and personalised gifts with a personal service all within a few miles of Romford.Â
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
Activities, clubs & classes
1st Hornchurch BrowniesEducation & childcare
Guided Learning LimitedMore businesses
Becca’s Bookshelf Independent Usborne OrganiserHealth & Wellbeing
Guided Learning LimitedParties & Celebrations
Kids Party Bags 2 GoHavering Admissions Information Presentations
If you have a child starting infant or primary school in September 2019, you must apply before 15th January 2019. There are several information presentations scheduled and you are able to book a place on one of these via the link below.
https://www.havering.gov.uk/admissions/events
Take time out and read through some of our articles...
S.M.I.L.E Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Christmas Shopping in Romford!
There's Something Spooky Going On!
Havering Primary School Open Days
Have you got a Blue Peter Badge?
Secondary School Applications - Are You Ready?
Eating Out With The Kids - The Offers!
Family Friendly Festivals in Essex
The Liberty - Child Safe Zones
Latest articles from Mum's guide to UK...
Everything but the kitchen sink: travelling with babies & infants
The importance of Health & Welfare Lasting Powers of Atorney
An introduction to food therapy and how it can help your fussy eater
Early detection of breast cancer can lead to more successful treatment
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.
Activitots
"Callum isnt always sure at new classes but he liked Pete instantly and thoroughly loved the class. It was really age appropriate and really varied with an excellent selection of different equipment. Pete was really great with all of the boys and offered them different advice depending on ability which was good. I really liked that the sports were varied and Callum said he loved it which says it all. "
Baby and Mummy Massage
"My 7 month old and myself just had a session with Debbie this afternoon and I would highly recommend her. Debbie is very friendly and engaging and she is extremely thorough and experienced in what she does. I have gained so much information and learnt new massage techniques which I can do with my baby as often as we like. Thank you so much Debbie for a lovely afternoon. Wilma Lewis"
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