Woodford Bridge

The area now known as Woodford Bridge lies at the point where a minor Roman, and later Saxon, road crossed the River Roding at a fording point. The route can be traced along what is now Roding Lane North, before continuing through Claybury Park, Chigwell, and Abridge, eventually on to Great Dunmow. The name Woodford derives from this once-wooded crossing, which was replaced by a bridge by 1239. At that time, the River Roding was navigable for light barges as far as Abridge, making it a modest route for river transport.

Its notable features include St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge, which offers a variety of services and a nearby pond located 100 metres to the right. The population expansion in the area had led the ancient parish church of St Mary's Church, Woodford to rent an infant school for services in 1851. A permanent church was built in 1854 as a district chapelry. It suffered a fire in 1886, after which it was rebuilt in a Neo-Gothic version of the Decorated style. There is a small primary school and nursery, Roding Primary School. There are also local amenities, including supermarkets, restaurants and cafes.