Countryside services

Havering Country Park and Hornchurch Country Park are managed and maintained by our parks service. 

We employ four countryside rangers to manage and warden these parks. 

In addition, one of the rangers is responsible for carrying out projects in the green belt. And undertakes environmental improvement projects such as tree and hedgerow planting and improvements to the countryside rights of way network.

Contact the rangers 

  • Havering Country Park: 01708 720858
  • Hornchurch Country Park: 01708 554451
  • Green Belt Ranger: 01708 720858

For all other countryside related issues including the Thames Chase Community Forest, general rights of way enquiries, forestry, woodland management and general woodland management projects, please contact Thames Chase at:

Thames Chase Visitor Centre,
Thames Chase,
The Forest Centre,
Broadfields,
Pike Lane,
Upminster,
RM14 3NS,
01708 641880
enquiries@thameschase.org.uk 

Volunteers 

We do not currently have any opportunities to volunteer in activities such as conservation work, tree planting and hedge-laying.

However, the Essex Wildlife Trust (who manage Bedfords Park) do welcome interest from those looking to volunteer. You can find out more about how to get involved on the Essex Wildlife Trust website.

Similarly, Thames Chase Community Forest in Upminster also like to get local people involved in maintaining their woodland sites. You can find out more about how to get involved on the Thames Chase Community Forest website.

Visitor centres

Havering has two countryside visitor centres, at Bedfords Park and the Thames Chase Community Forest, as well as a number of other local woodlands managed by the Forestry Commission.

They are:

  • Berwick Glades
  • Bonnetts Wood
  • Cely Woods
  • Folkes Lane Woodland
  • Harold Court Woods
  • Ingrebourne Hill
  • Mardyke Woods
  • Pages Wood
  • Tylers Wood