Raphael Park

About

Raphael Park (pronounced "Ray-full") is a public park in Gidea Park, Romford, in the London Borough of Havering, United Kingdom. It is one of a series of parks stretching northwards from the railway line between Romford and Gidea Park. The southern entrance to Raphael Park is on Main Road, formerly called Hare Street, and the northern entrance is just south of the A12 Eastern Avenue.

The western boundary of the park follows the line of Black's Brook, a small stream that was dammed where the park meets Main Road to form a lake 12–20 ft deep and called Black's Canal, this being done before the park was created. The dam itself is just inside the park next to the 18th century bridge which carries Main Road and known as Black's Bridge. The park itself is part of the parkland that once surrounded Gidea Hall.

Raphael Park contains two ancient Pedunculate Oaks recorded by the Woodland Trust. The park is named after Sir Herbert Raphael MP, who gave it to Romford Urban District in 1904. In addition to the lake, which is used for angling, there are several amenities provided within the park.

In the southern part of the park is a bandstand, and then near the end of the lake is a rockery which...