This week, the Recorder is looking back at the history of Langtons Gardens – a historical green space in the centre of Hornchurch which has provided the backdrop to many wedding photos over the years.
The gardens are home to a grand Grade II-listed manor house, which was built around 1760.
According to Havering Libraries, it was likely built on the site of a much older house, known in the 15th century as Marchauntes.
Hornchurch Urban District Council in session in 1963 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)
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Ownership of the estate passed through several hands in the 18th and 19th century, before eventually being bought by Mr Varco-Williams of the Waterman’s Company.
His daughter, Elizabeth Parkes, then gifted the house and garden to the parish of Hornchurch in 1929, with an opening ceremony taking place on October 26.
Described as “neo-Georgian” in its architecture, the manor was refronted in the 19th century, while two additional storeys at the rear and a bath house were also added around this time.
After it was gifted to the parish of Hornchurch, the house served as the headquarters of Hornchurch Urban District Council, and photos taken in the 1960s show members sitting at a meeting.
In 1965, the building was formalised as the Registrar’s Office for the newly created London Borough of Havering.
The former members’ room was turned into a marriage room – described in a Havering Review article as “one of the best marriage rooms in the country”.
The gardens and lake – including an orangery and gazebo – that are overlooked by the house also make a “lovely setting” for after-marriage photographs, the review said.
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It is believed to have been famous landscape gardener Humphrey Repton who designed the garden, according to Havering Libraries, although it may have been his son John Adey Repton.
The remodelling of the grounds included adding paths, walls, a “mazy” shrubbery, an enclosed orchard and fine timber trees.
Havering Libraries called the landscape garden one of the borough’s “best loved parks”, while the Havering Council website describes Langtons as “popular and well-loved”.
In recent years, the site has been extended to include Fielders Field, while significant conservation to the house and gardens has also been carried out.
The park is now home to the annual Langtons Summer Concert, a classical music event which attracts thousands of guests.
