This week we are looking back at the history of a few of these hotels, some of which are still standing today as pubs.
As an example of just how many of these venues there once were in the borough, one road mentioned below was previously home to three inns, and another had one hotel and two inns.
Havering’s hotels and inns captured in old photos
The Bell Inn, Broadway, Rainham – c. 1890
The sign for the Bell Inn can be seen in the centre right of this photo taken in c. 1890, with the New Angel Inn sitting opposite (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)
The Bell Inn in Broadway was built in the early 18th century, according to Havering Libraries, operating as both a hotel and a pub.
Over the years it had many landlords, and was rebuilt in 1892 by Ind Coope, called then The Bell Hotel, serving as a key stop for travellers.
There were once two inns and a hotel in Broadway, with one of these being the New Angel Inn – also now closed – and another the Phoenix Inn, mentioned below.
King Harold Hotel, Harold Wood – 1868
The King Harold Hotel opened in 1868 to serve travellers and new residents of the Harold Wood Estate.
It had several landlords over the years, with the Moore family running it for a long time, according to Havering Libraries.
After William Moore’s death in 1891, his wife Martha took over, followed by their son Thomas, who ran it until 1901.
The Phoenix Hotel, Broadway, Rainham – c. 1920s
The Phoenix Hotel in Rainham dates back to at least 1716 and was likely a continuation of an earlier inn the White Hart, according to Havering Libraries.
READ MORE: Romford and Hornchurch in the 1920s captured in old photos
It became a key gathering place for community events, coroner’s inquests, and even hosted a telegraph office in the early 1900s.
The inn was destroyed by fire in 1891 but was rebuilt, and is still open today as a Craft Union pub.
The Golden Lion, High Street, Romford – c 1960s
The Golden Lion in Romford, one of the borough’s oldest inns, was first mentioned in 1482 and has a history dating back to at least the 16th century.
It served as both a hotel and public house. But in the 1960s, according to Havering Libraries, it faced demolition due to road-widening plans which were later abandoned when the town’s bypass was built.
READ MORE: Long-lost Romford pubs captured in historic photos
In 1979, it was Grade II listed, and today, it remains a pub owned by Greene King.
The Unicorn Hotel, Hare Street, Gidea Park – c. 1916
The Unicorn Hotel in Hare Street, Gidea Park, was first mentioned in 1679 and rebuilt in a Tudor style in 1938.
This postcard view shows the hotel with landlord George E. Woodley’s name above the doorway—Havering Libraries say he may be the man in the white shirt standing next to a car.
They add that during the First World War, soldiers from the nearby Artists’ Rifles Officer Training Camp at Hare Hall were among its visitors – the soldiers in the distance likely came from there.
