A Quick Guide to the Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Lars MiltonsLondon Move Tips

Modern-day Greater London is divided into as many as 33 areas that are called boroughs. Here we are going to focus on one of them – Barking and Dagenham. It is on the smaller side in terms of territory – 36.09 square kilometres, and it lies to the east of the City on the north bank of the River Thames.

The big estate

According to the latest census, conducted in 2011, there are 187,000 people living in the borough. Most of those are residents of the Becontree estate. We are talking about a rather large development with mostly 1930s housing, and a distinctly residential character. Even by the end of the 1930s, there were 100 000 people living here in 26,000 homes. The very opening of the Becontree Estate caused a significant increase in population density in the vicinity. There is little to none industry or commercial activity present in the district, which is more or less a bedroom community for people living and working in Central London. If you are looking for such a place, a convenient man and van expert in Becontree RM9 will help you settle down without much hassle or stress.

Caption: Dagenham Civic Centre in the heart of Becontree Heath

Another great place in Barking and Dagenham is, of course, one of the suburban towns that gives its name to the Borough. Barking IG11. The toponym can be found in the Domesday Book of the 11th century, but the truth is that Barking was rural in character until the middle of the 1800s when the railway arrived here and give its development a boost. Fishing used to be a major industry in the area, accommodated by the proximity of the River Thames. The best place to live in Barking is the Roding Riverside, with the Barking Riverside Estate being a close rival. There are top-notch man and van services in Barking IG11 that will help you arrive here, along with your possessions without hassle.

The new developments

We’ve already mentioned that Becontree is the largest estate in the borough. So, it is only logical that with the increase in demand for residential properties in the vicinity of this district, newer developments arise as well. One of those, probably the most iconic and attractive among them, is Becontree Heath. As you can guess, it is built around the eponymous open green space, and there is a very reliable man and van in Becontree Heath RM8 you can count on. The population density here is much lighter than those in the main district, and we should not miss to mention the fact that the Barking and Dagenham Civic Centre is actually to be found here. Another major landmark in the neighbourhood is the Becontree Heath Bus Station. Services connecting it to Central London, some 12.5 miles away, run from this captivating building which we encourage you to check out in case you find yourself in the area.

Caption: Old building in Barking town centre

The places that you would love to live

In recent years there is an increase in the demand for professional man and van services in Chadwell Heath RM6 services, which clearly indicates that this is one of the best places in the borough to settle down in. Chadwell Street is the main artery here. Traditionally, Chadwell Heath has a very strong community spirit that is demonstrated by the presence of many local societies and clubs that keep the history and culture Chadwell Heath intact. There are also several very well-regarded gastropubs here people from all over East London love to frequent. The Eva Hart, named after one of the survivors from RMS Titanic, is probably the most iconic among those. Notable locals include:

The industrial estate of Creekmouth has spurred the development of a residential district, where you can find both comfortable houses and apartments, and services such as comprehensive man and van solutions in Creekmouth IG11, good transport connections and everything else one might want from their potential new home. The heart of the area is the former village that was built in the 1850s.

As you can see, the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham has a lot to offer to both locals and visitors. So, taking the time to explore it is guaranteed to be worth it.

Caption: Eva Hart pub in Chadwell Heath