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.
Get in touch if you would like to list your business in our directory, add your event to the what's on guide or enquire about advertising.
_(1).jpg)
NHM Tring – Animal Mummies: What’s Inside
(FREE)
30th April
- 18th October
NHM Tring, Romford
Willows Activity Farm Potato Shindig
7th September
- 4th October
Willow's Activity Farm, London Colney
The Pumpkin Patch Basildon
26th September
- 28th October
The Pumpkin Patch, Basildon
The Pumpkin Patch Colchester
26th September
- 28th October
The Pumpkin Patch, Colchester
Instagram Live Cook-a-Long
(FREE)
1st October
Your Kitchen!, Romford
Autumn Harvest Weekend
3rd October
- 4th October
Marks Hall Estate, Colchester
Land of the Tigers Opens!
3rd October
Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne
Pick Your Own Pumpkin!
3rd October
- 4th October
Hatters Farm, Bishop's Stortford
Running Day at Epping Ongar Railway
3rd October
Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar
Grandparents Go FREE at Barleylands
4th October
Barleylands, Billericay
Grandparents Day at Old MacDonalds Farm
4th October
Old MacDonalds Farm, Brentwood
Mum2Mum Market Harold Hill
4th October
Harold Hill Community Centre, Romford
Grandparents Day at Hopefield
4th October
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood
If you are running a local event for families or children you can add the details to our site for free.
First Step is an amazing local charity who have been supporting families who have children with SEND for many years. The support they provide is completely unique and cannot be found anywhere else.
When you visit their website you will read the words 'The first step is often the hardest'. For children born with special educational needs and/or disabilities this could not be more accurate.
What do they do?
First Step provide family support services to families at the most challenging times in their lives. Pre Covid their support was face to face but virtual support has continued during the pandemic with phone calls, zoom calls and whats app calls. They have recently had to close their Educational Services which includes a pre school setting and PACC (Promoting Attention, Communication & Co-Operation) sessions due to lack of funding which will have a detrimental effect on the children and parents who used this service. It is this service that they desperately want to be able to offer to families again.
What can we do?
First Step really need our help. Due to Covid-19 all their usual fundraising activities have had to be cancelled and they are desperately trying to find more creative ways to raise much needed funds. They are currently working with Grove & Dean on the @STEP2IT5K challenge which runs until 15th September but there are other ways that you could support them at this time.
To donate a different amount – place figure to be donated after FIRSTSTEP i.e. for £10 text FIRSTSTEP10 (any amount from £1 to £20)
These are the words of a mum who has been involved with First Step for the last 7 years. She needed their support. They helped her and her family at the most difficult time.
"Imagine this: the birth of your baby doesn’t bring the joy it had meant to. Instead, it’s drowned in fear, in worry, in anxiety. In knowing that your baby isn’t like all the others. You immerse yourself in a diagnosis. In the medical jargon being thrown at you. In the appointments. In the no sleep. In the constant worry and stress. In the fear for the future. You hold your screaming baby in your arms wondering how on earth you’re equipped to deal with all the medication, the SEN, the forms, forms, forms, and the letters dropping through your door like Harry’s Hogwarts letter. The constant looks. The pity. The grimaces. The “I couldn’t do it”, the “oh but he looks normal”, the “he might not be that bad when he’s older.”
And that might not be your first baby. You might have other children who have to step aside to allow you to put all your effort into your medically complex child. They might suffer because of that.
How does a mother hold it together with all that going on?
With support from charities like First Step.
They only need a small investment to keep doing the amazing work they do. Please help. Please don’t scroll past our most vulnerable children."
Shared with the kind permission of Sarah Burlison
You can support First Step by donating, organising an event that raises money (socially distanced of course!) or even by sharing this article with your friends. Every pound they raise will help.
First Step remains open to provide support to families of pre-school children with special needs and welcomes families to make contact.
First Step, Tangmere Crescent, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 5PP
[email protected]
01708 556355
This October half term, Hylands Tennis Club are running a holiday club for one day only!
This is a fantastic opportunity for children to try tennis for the first time or to enhance their skills with some extra coaching. The camp will run on Monday 26th October from 9am - 11.30am. It costs just £11 per player.
This fun session is suitable for all ages and abilities. Children will be split into age groups and all equipment will be provided.
If your child is interested in this camp please email [email protected]
As well as holiday tennis camps, we also offer Group Tennis Classes and Private Lessons for all playing levels. With our Learn & Play Programme run by our coaching provider of choice, Jack Woollcott Tennis Academy, Full-Size and Kid-Sized Courts, Sports Hall and Floodlights, Hylands is there every step of the way, ensuring young players from 4 to 17 years of age can learn to play and fall in love with tennis in a safe and friendly environment.
Our location is within the grounds of Hornchurch High School. For more details, please visit our website at www.hylandstennis.co.uk
Hornchurch High School
Broadstone Road
Hornchurch
Essex RM12 4AJ
Libraries across Havering will begin reopening from this Friday 17th July
Friday 17th July opening: Romford, Hornchurch, Rainham, Harold Hill and Upminster.
Monday 2pm - 7pm; Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 10am - 3pm
Wed 22nd July opening: Collier Row, Elm Park, South Hornchurch, Harold Wood and Gidea Park.
Wednesday 10am - 3pm; Thursday 2pm - 7pm... Read more
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.
We know it's still summer and we are all just taking one day at a time at the minute BUT lots of companies are already selling tickets for their Christmas events. We don’t want you to miss out on any of the fun, so we are starting to publish our list of all that’s happening in the area now, and will continue to add to it as new events are announced. Let's start with where to see the big man himself.
*Please note all details are correct at time of publication. Due to Covid restrictions events are subject to change. Please do check individual websites for further information on how the events will run. You can access these websites by clicking the 'More details' tab under each event.
Santa Spectacular 2020
Willows Activity Farm: 23rd November - 24th December
The Santa Spectacular programme is a full day out of festive family fun and the child ticket price includes all the activities and shows plus a visit to Santa and being able to choose a gift from his Toy Shop, making a toy bear in the Create-a-Character workshop and biscuit decorating. Under 2’s can go free but paying under 2’s visit Santa, do the Create-a-Cuddle workshop and biscuit decorating.
More details
Christmas Special 2020
Audley End Miniature Railway: 21st November - 24th December
Enjoy the most magical Christmas Experience with your family at the Audley End Miniature Railway. Take our Santa Express deep into the woods of the Audley End Estate where you will arrive at Father Christmas’s Winter Wonderland! You will meet the big man himself, along with his VERY cheeky Elves, receive a special gift and also watch a crazy Christmas Dance!
More details
Polar Express Train Rideol **CANCELLED**
Mid Norfolk Railway: various dates still available in November & December.
As you and your family take in the festive decorations at THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride station, you can almost hear the faint sound of sleigh bells in the distance and the fun begins...
More details
The Father Christmas Experience
Marsh Farm: 14th November - 24th December
With even more festive magic! Full details to follow.
More details
Santa Specials 2020
Epping Ongar Railway: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th - 24th December
Bring the family to see Santa on his special train with the fantastically festive Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials! Tickets are being sold by 'compartment' for either 6 or 8 people. On sale now!
More details
Breakfast with Father Christmas
Orsett Hall: 5th, 6th, 12th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd
A truly magical breakfast experience. Children will enjoy two activities with the Christmas Elves before receiving a visit and a special gift from Father Christmas. Entertainment provided by party entertainers.
More details
Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas
Orsett Hall: 5th, 6th, 12th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd
A magical afternoon tea with a festive twist. Children will enjoy two activities with the Christmas Elves before receiving a visit and a special gift from Father Christmas. Entertainment provided by party entertainers.
More details
We will be adding to this list as information is available to us.
It's that time of year again when we start thinking about the endless task of preparing packed lunches for the kids to take to school. This year there will be more children than usual having a packed lunch as many schools are still unable to provide hot school meals.
© 2012-2020 Mum's Guide To Limited (All rights reserved)
Registered in England & Wales No.8045592
"Mum's guide to Romford", "Mum's guide to", and the "Mum's guide to" Logo are trade marks of Mum's Guide To Limited
Please be aware that this website uses a mixture of paid-for advertising from local and national businesses, as well as pay-per-click programmes and affiliate marketing.
