Hornchurch

Hornchurch station serves a historic Essex town that became part of the London Borough of Havering in 1965, retaining a distinct community character that feels closer to a market town than inner London suburbia. The town centre has good independent shops, cafes and pubs, and Hornchurch Country Park - a large open space occupying the former RAF Hornchurch aerodrome where fighter pilots flew in the Battle of Britain - is one of east London's finest green spaces with excellent walking, cycling and wildlife-watching opportunities. The park's wartime history is commemorated in its design, with runway outlines preserved in the grassland.

Station Overview

Hornchurch station opened in 1902. It sits in Zone 6 and is served by the District line only. The station does not have step-free access. It is between Elm Park to the west and Upminster Bridge to the east.

Lines and Connectivity

The District line (green) connects west towards Elm Park, Dagenham East and central London. Eastbound, the line continues through Upminster Bridge to Upminster (the terminus). Journey time to Victoria is approximately fifty-five minutes.

Facilities

Hornchurch station has a travel information point and ticket machines. The town centre, a short walk from the station, has a range of local shops, cafes and restaurants.

Accessibility

Hornchurch does not have step-free access. Upminster (two stops east) has step-free access on the District line.

Travel Tips

• Hornchurch Country Park is about twenty minutes walk from the station - follow the signs towards the former aerodrome site. Excellent walking and cycling on the former runway paths.
• The park's aviation history is visible in the landscape - sections of the old runway and perimeter track are preserved in the grassland design.
• Hornchurch town centre has independent shops and good pubs. Better than many outer Zone 6 town centres.
• Upminster (two stops east) is the line terminus with c2c National Rail connections.
• No step-free access at this station.

Nearby Attractions

Hornchurch Country Park - twenty minutes walk. Former RAF Hornchurch aerodrome, now a country park with preserved runway outlines, excellent wildlife and walking paths. Free.

Hornchurch town centre - five minutes walk. Independent shops, cafes, pubs and the historic church from which the town takes its name.

Upminster - two stops east. District line terminus with c2c National Rail, Upminster Windmill and a pleasant town centre.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

District line services at Hornchurch run from approximately 05:30 to midnight on weekdays and similar hours on weekends. There is no Night Tube on the District line. The country park is best visited in spring and autumn when the wildlife is most active.