Only three other London boroughs touch Havering, which is the lowest total of any London borough. See map. This week I've been to all three (via two different locations).
n.b. Hillingdon, Enfield and Sutton also touch only three other London boroughs, but no borough touches only two.
n.b. Havering also touches Epping Forest, Brentwood and Thurrock, but they're not London boroughs.
1) Redbridge
2) Barking & Dagenham
The point where Havering meets Redbridge meets Barking & Dagenham is very much in the semi-rural fringes, on the western edge of Collier Row. It's quite easy to spot as you drive down Romford Road from Hainault because it's marked by a big sign saying COLLIER ROW, the street name changes to Hog Hill Road and the speed limit drops from 40 to 30. This is also the point where the bungalows kick in, with Havering being the residential zone whereas the Redbridge and B&D sectors are both arable farmland. The first bungalow has a black cab parked out front and a back garden which opens straight onto a field, not that the grey sofa on the lawn is actually pointing that way. Parked a little further down are a white van and a Yaris both with personalised KOI numberplates, suggesting a love of fish, almost like we've crossed into Essex instead. The lovelier cottages opposite, also in Havering, have an 1861 VR plaque on the side and were originally known as Bumper's Barracks (for reasons lost to time). Other borderline clues include the pavement suddenly switching from well-maintained to unkempt and lumpy, suggesting Havering's council tax ought to be a bit higher, and a white coal tax post amid the shrubbery marking the actual borough triple point. It's always nice to confirm you've hit the right spot.
3) Bexley
The boundary between Havering and Bexley runs down the Thames estuary so can't be crossed by road or rail. One of the closest places you can stand is Erith Town Pier, but we covered that yesterday so best leave it there.
