Rainham is one of the most significant historic villages in the Havering area. It has roots
going back to the Saxon period, and there is important evidence of a settlement from long
before that, with a Neolithic site being excavated west of Launders Lane in 1963. There are also
remains of a submerged Neolithic forest, which was discovered close to the mouth of the
Mardyke River in Rainham marshes.
An Anglo-Saxon burial ground from the 6th and 7th centuries was discovered in excavations at
Gerpins Pit in 1930. A wealth of items such as swords, brooches, rings, spear heads, and a
pair of drinking horns were unearthed, as well as indications of even earlier burials. Evidence
of a Roman presence has also been found, with Romano-British pottery shards uncovered at Rainham
Ferry, and many Roman artefacts found at the Mardyke Farm Estate in 1963.
During the Middle Ages the settlement of Rainham was grouped around the church of St Helen
and St Giles and several manor-houses, including Rainham, Berwick, and Gerpins. By the 17th
centuryRainham Ferry and Rainham Wharf were well established, with goods and passengers coming from
London, and the travellers being well provided for by several inns in the area. The 18th
century saw increased trade, resulting in several new buildings in the area, most notably Rainham
Hall.
Rainham had always drawn most of its living from farming, and from the River Thames, and
continued to do so into the 20th century, and by 1929 most large farms in the area were
known as market gardens. However, the 19th century had brought increased industrialisation in the
form of chemical and fertilizer factories at Rainham Ferry. Murex Limited, iron-founders and
ferroalloy manufacturers, moved to the area in 1917.
St Helen & St Giles Church is the oldest building in Havering, built c1170, and of much
architectural interest. It still has many of its original features, and there is a rare
graffito of a medieval ship at anchor on the wall of a stairwell.
Richard de Lucy was Chief Judiciary to King Stephen. He was excommunicated by Archbishop of
Canterbury Thomas Becket in 1166 and again in 1169. Becket's murder, by the king's henchmen,
in 1170 resulted in part from his refusal to lift such sentences of excommunication, and it is
said that de Lucy founded St Helens & St Giles church in penance for the death.
Berwick Manor in Berwick Pond Road, dates from the 17th century. There have been many
alterations and additions since. In 1960 it became an old people's home, and in 1970 it
became Berwick Manor country club.
Captain John Harle,a wealthy London merchant and master mariner who settled in Rainham. He
renovated Rainham Wharf, increasing trade with London and abroad. Importing building
materials
such as timber from Scandinavia, as well as coal, he also advertised granaries for the
storage of corn, and shipments to London twice a week. He prospered and had Rainham Hall built in
1729.
Rainham War Memorial Clock Tower
The memorial is a short hexagonal clock tower with faces on three sides. It was built in
1920 and stands in the centre of the village at Broadway. It now commemorates soldiers killed in
both World Wars, as well as civilian casualties of World War II.
Rainham Hall retains some of its original features, including Delft tiles in the fireplace, and trompe l'oeil frescoes on the walls? A Victorian doghouse can still be seen, with space for three dogs, 'very necessary defences for the owners' coaches against highwaymen'!