Did you know that...
Noak Hill name derives from the Middle English “atten oak” which means “at the oak”. The first mention of the name comes from 1490. A local 1290 document mentions a Richard ate Noke living near/at the oak tree. In 1523, the area is recorded as Nookhill. In 1570, it was Noke Hill. In 1814, an area measuring “300 paces” of Roman tiles was discovered here. Until 1859, the area was part of the Romford civil parish. A part of Noak Hill formed the nearby Harold Hill. The Neave family were wealthy merchants and landowners in these two East London areas.
Deer’s Rest pub dates from the 17th century. It was initially called Goat House. In the 18th century, it changed the name to Bear Inn. The current name is used since 2019. In 1820, Sir Thomas Neave bought the pub. Many modifications throughout the years prevent the pub from obtaining listed status, however, it is considered a local landmark. The arched windows are part of the original construction. In the 1960s, The Bear pub kept a caged bear in its beer garden. The story is backed by RM3 residents who remember the black bear drinking beer and eating chips. After the first bear died, another took its place. The second bear moved to Linton Zoo after the pub owners retired.
St Thomas Church was built in 1842 by the Neave family. The church hosts community events such as Quiz Night, Local History Talk, and the annual Flower Festival. The Neaves built a school that became a restaurant and later a Hindu temple. The now-demolished Neave Mansion was located in Dagnam Park. Noak Hill has several Grade II listed buildings such as Holly Tree Cottage, Rose Cottage, and Old Keepers Cottage. Another Grade II listed building, Thatched Cottage, has a straw-covered roof.
