WH Y G I D E A PA R K
Outdoors: Romford Hockey Club is actually based in Gidea Park. It has three men’s teams, two ladies’ teams and a youth group. It’s open to new players and has a club house and busy bar for spectators. Romford Golf Club also sits within the boundary of Gidea Park.The private members’ club is a favourite among local golfers thanks to its challenging course – it has even been used as a qualifying venue for The Open. Lodge Farm Park features a play-site, outdoor gym and tennis cour ts.This Green Flag park has a charming footpath that loops the outskir ts. Raphael Park is a spacious landscaped park with large lake and spor ts ranging from fishing to cricket.There’s also a café and play area.
Gidea Park’s close community feel is nur tured by its carefully planned streets – spacious, tree-lined roads and homes with extensive gardens. The greenery of the streets is complemented by the parks in and around the area. Some houses are placed so that they benefit from uninterrupted views over the open spaces. The area nor th of Main Road is identifiable by its Ar ts & Crafts houses built during the first exhibition.To the south of Eastern Avenue and in Brook Road are the later 1930s houses. Many homes are completely individual, but they are typically detached with white render. Main Road serves as the principle ar terial route, which is lined with local shops, restaurants and takeaways. For more serious and mainstream shopping residents can make the shor t journey into Romford. Cultural: Romford Summer Theatre hosts productions in the last two weeks of June at The Rockery in the centre of Raphael Park. Residents can buy tickets to see open-air performances of Shakespeare’s plays, which in the past have included Much Ado About Nothing and The Taming of the Shrew. Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch puts on an evolving programme of musicals, comedies and drama. Jazz sessions, comedy clubs and magic shows are also hosted in this 500-seat theatre. Theatre workshops are also on offer.
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