Some Essex residents argue the towns were ‘stolen’ by London
London has grown from its modest origins as the small City of London into a sprawling metropolis and suburbs, covering a whopping 1,569 square kilometres. Over the years, the city has absorbed towns from neighbouring Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Particularly in Essex, it has long been debated whether various towns are really in London. This uncertainty does make sense, considering many of these areas still boast an Essex postcode but technically sit within a London borough.
When it comes to North East London, it’s tricky to find an area which wasn’t once part of Essex. These seven towns are among the most hotly debated, with many residents insisting they live in Essex – but others pleased with the London label.
Hornchurch
Once an agricultural town in the west of Essex, Hornchurch transformed when industrial East London expanded. The town is now part of the London borough of Havering, reports Essex Live.
As London’s suburbs sprawled in the 20th century, Hornchurch expanded and attracted new residents, becoming an urban district in 1926 and part of Greater London in 1965.
Romford
The historic market town of Romford is still considered part of Essex by many as it doesn’t actually have a London postcode. However, it is actually in the London Borough of Havering, part of Greater London.
The population of Romford boomed just before the outbreak of World War Two, which resulted in it being absorbed by London’s outer suburbs. In 1965, following a local government reform in London, Romford merged with the Hornchurch Urban District to form the London Borough of Havering and officially became part of Greater London.
Ilford
London’s suburban expansion also saw Ilford taken from Essex. Ilford became a municipal borough in London in 1926, but in 1965 it merged with Wanstead and Woodford to create the London Borough of Redbridge.
The new borough also included Chadwell Heath, Aldborough Hatch, Hainault, and Barkingside. The county these towns belong to is often debated.
Loughton
This strip of land is particularly perplexing, as while most of Loughton’s residential area currently sits within the historical district of Epping Forest in Essex, it is considered to be within the metropolitan and urban area of London.
Loughton is under the jurisdiction of Epping Forest District, but it is also part of the Greater London Urban Area and has a London Underground Tube station.
Barking
This ancient parish straddling the River Roding was once a sleepy Essex village where residents made a living from fishing and farming. However, the arrival of the London Underground in 1908 transformed Barking into a more industrial landscape.
As part of London’s suburban expansion in the 20th century, Barking Urban District saw significant growth and a population increase, primarily due to the development of the London County Council estate at Becontree in the 1920s. It became a municipal borough in 1931, and was incorporated into Greater London in 1965.
Dagenham
Once a largely undeveloped and peaceful parish in Essex, Dagenham underwent a dramatic transformation in 1921 when the London County Council began construction on the Becontree Estate. The population soared from just over 9,000 to nearly 90,000 between 1921 and 1931, and it has since become a part of suburban London.
On April 1, 1965, Dagenham was incorporated into the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham as part of the Local Government Act’s reorganisation of London into 32 boroughs. At this time, the borough’s boundaries were also redrawn, with some of Dagenham’s northern land being transferred to Redbridge.
West Ham
Many may not realise that West Ham was once part of Essex, thanks to its association with the famous London football club. Despite its strong connections to the London Underground, its history straddles both Essex and East London.
West Ham experienced rapid growth in the 1840s, becoming a large Victorian manufacturing area. By 1901, it was the ninth most populous district in the country and was the westernmost point governed by Essex County Council. Today, it falls under the jurisdiction of the London Borough of Newham.
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