Top 18 things to do and attractions in Ilford

My favourite place for walks. I visited mansion and it blew my mind. Highly recommend to visit. Also the staff there was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Joined a small group of people for a guided tour of the garden, led by Simon. He was interesting and informative and very passionate about the gardens. If you are able to join a garden tour at a later date, please do so.

It’s a fantastic park and a local gem with a gorgeous garden, great cafe and a beautiful park and playground. Something for everyone!

I went there with my 5 yr old to attend a safari animals activity during the Oct half term. It was a lovely session by Tiffany and she tried to cater to all the tables and help the kids with their crafts. It was really nice to see all the kids involved and busy with the crafts. My little one enjoyed it a lot and was happy to get her art framed and bring home.

Nice spot to visit some local history. It is somewhat more engaging compared to some other places of this type as you can interact with a lot of the artifacts that are kept there. There are some interesting rooms to explore and are accessible too. Not open on many days in the week, just twice in fact, but they do seem to hold regular events. I still would’ve liked to read more about the Valentines’ impact on a more national and global level and the impact on both the local and global community.

I visit the Walled Garden on a monthly basis as there are live music which is organised by the Redbridge Music Lounge. Different genre of music to suit all the tastes and free.

Choosing Valentine's Mansion as the venue for our wedding turned out to be a splendid decision. The historic charm of the building added a timeless elegance to our special day. The registrars who conducted the ceremony were not only professional but also remarkably friendly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for us and our guests. The combination of the beautiful venue and the amiable registrars made our wedding a truly memorable and magical experience.

My daughter forgot her USB in the PC on the upper level of the library while studying.it is Samsung USB.She has all the precious moments of her life and siblings. If anyone found it please return on the reception. Ill highly appreciate it.

Passed by and found the museum inside the library building. Very interesting and full of information about Redbridge. Worth visiting. There’s also a cafe in the ground floor of the library. The environment was cosy with friendly staff and the food was yummy, too.

Today I had one of the worst customer service experiences at Ilford Library. From the moment I entered, I was made to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. A female staff member spoke to me in a condescending manner, as if I was supposed to know everything without any assistance. Shortly after, I witnessed an elderly man being shouted at and forcibly removed by security. I truly believe the situation could have been handled much better. I saw a staff member come out of a room, start yelling at the man, and ordering him to grab his things and leave. It was incredibly distressing to watch. I had come to the library to print a document — something I hadn’t done in years — and was unfamiliar with the process. I had no one to help me and I needed those documents today. I rang my son to ask for help, as soon as I rang him a woman sitting opposite me started to yell at me, threatening to call security and have me banned simply because I was asking for assistance from my son over the phone. Her behaviour was aggressive, humiliating, and made me feel extremely anxious. When I finally managed to print my document, it came out incorrectly formatted and tiny — costing me £6.50 for unusable prints. I was never warned that this could happen when printing from a phone. When I politely explained the situation to a staff member at the front desk, he responded rudely, telling me “you ain’t getting your money back,” which was shockingly disrespectful and unprofessional. The entire experience left me feeling humiliated, overwhelmed, and in tears as I left. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from a public service. I will never return to Ilford Library after today and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a supportive and respectful environment.

Library has vast collection of books. Good place to read. Many programs are conducted regularly for kids and students. Museum is a very good place and has vast collection of preserved things with detailed information. It is a very good place to know about history of Ilford. Everyone must visit with family.

Despite the number of activities available, the space allocated for children’s sessions often a small room next to a toilet is not ideal and smells dreadful . It’s crowded and disconnected from the rest of the children’s library, making it difficult for little ones to fully engage, and feel part of the library to socialise and feel relaxed. It would be great to see these sessions held in a more open, welcoming area of the children’s section or a dedicated room. This would help encourage connection, interaction, and a more positive early learning environment. Additionally, having staff present rather than relying solely on volunteers could ensure more support is available for both children and parents during the sessions.

A large array of different books and an amazing museum! Quite the experience, the staff were exceptionally helpful in finding i book I had wanted. The children's section is filled to the brim with suitable books for a child's upbringing. For older students the Library has a Study zone on the 2nd and 3rd floor. The Library also contains photocopiers ,printers ,and anything you would need.

I took my son to a Lab Central class, all the the staff were very courteous and truly went above and beyond to accommodate us. I would definitely recommend and my son had an absolute blast.

Great local theatre with some excellent shows. Highly recommend the Christmas pantomime. A wide variety of shows to appeal to all demographics including many shows targeted towards children during holiday periods. Nearby parking can be an issue due to limited spaces but there is a multistorey car park a short walk away.

Got caught short while out and about, great place if you need a dump. Cubicles are a little snug if your bigger than the average person..... I really hope they managed to flush that toilet 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Local theatre with an eclectic schedule of plays and musicals. Auditorium which seats 350 and a small studio theatre based in the heart of Ilford.

We saw Peter Pan Panto. It was amazing! We have seen many pantos at a range of venues and this is now my new favourite. The cast come out into to audience. Very interactive. Cheap tickets, cheap refreshments and clean toilets. Highly recommend.

Watched movie puss in the boots with family last week. The experience was great. Kids enjoyed the atmosphere and movie while having sweet pop corns. The staff greeted everyone with pleasant remarks and were very welcoming. Toilets were clean and well maintained.

Wonderful theatre, great seating, lovely staff. A real gem in the heart of Ilford town. Watched the Aladdin Pantomime and thoroughly enjoyed it. The price of the tickets were reasonable but the prices of food was slightly dear as one would expect. Nonetheless, a top venue, which is clean and well run. Highly recommended.

Beautiful theatre. First time visiting here to watch panto. Great setting & it looks like you'd get a good view from all seats. Fabulous cast, one of the best pantos Ive seen in ages.

Ilford Exchange Shopping Centre is opposite Ilford train station there are a number of entrances and exits at the Shopping centre. There are three levels along with some good shops like Sports Direct, Ryman, New look and many more. Toilets are available also food and drink areas and play areas for kids too. The Shopping centre was clean and wasn't to busy either. Very nice building on the outside and inside too will definitely come back here again soon.

Joey ( Face Painter of Fairy Face HK ) has been hired to offer face-painting services for the celebration event here. ⭐The location offers convenient transportation and features numerous forms, from big brand shops to small homeware stores, a food court, and café. ⭐They're very thoughtful to include Family-Friendly Facilities. For example, a kids' club offers children free activities and a play area, providing a fun and safe space for them. ⭐Parent-and-baby rooms for changing a nappy or feeding a baby. ⭐Shopmobility Services has powered wheelchairs and scooters for anyone with temporary mobility difficulties. ⭐It always has a celebration event at different festivals. It provided fun for all, creating a smooth and stress-free experience! ⭐The staff team is friendly and helpful, and they assist me a lot. It's not only a lovely shopping centre, it's suitable for families to spend a happy day! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I always highly recommend!

Nicely decorated shopping mall for Christmas and new year. Parking: It has a nice multistorey car park which I wasn't aware at first. I parked at Citi car park where there were many poor reviews with broken car windows. So next time I would like to park here in exchange mall as it would make things easier if we come to shop. You can pay at level 2 and online using app. There were so many nice mix of shops and it gets crowded during the peak hours and evenings. Lot of kiosks on the way. Escalators worked good and it also has lift. The toilet is at the end on the top floor (Level 3) and the way to the toilet (walls) were nicely pained with several animals which used to live in Ilford. Very interesting 🤔

Exchange Ilford is my go-to shopping mall in East London. It’s conveniently located with ample car parking, plus a great car wash onsite. The underground station is right opposite the front entrance, which makes it perfect to park here and head off exploring by train. The shopping centre itself has a lively, energetic vibe with a good mix of big-name stores, smaller shops, stalls, and plenty of food options. The dedicated street-food style food court is a great touch, and there are loads of stalls to try. For families, there’s a noddy train and a play area for little kids, and even ping pong tables for adults – a fun bonus! Toilets are generally clean, which is always appreciated. Overall, a really convenient and enjoyable place to shop, eat, and spend a few hours.

Management Team: No signage informing customers about your business being closed, I’ve parked my car on 1A using car valet and the mall was shut! One of your staff asked me to pay for parking ??? You should definitely review your policy and offer better customer service!

The Exchange has improved so much in recent years. It's now a really good shopping destination for families. Plenty of things for kids to do both inside the mall and immediately outside. Parking is plentiful and easy to get to on public transport. It has a huge variety of eateries, and the new Cookie Island play centre is good fun for children.

A quaint place that's bigger than it appears from the outside. It has a gathering of well known shops as well as independent shops. It's bright and welcoming. There's a central play area for kids and that in itself is an attraction. Disabled access is good via lifts and wide entrances. There are toilets, family room,and eateries all in this one place to make shopping an enjoyable experience.

Valentines Park is a beautiful and well-maintained green space perfect for a relaxing day out. The park boasts stunning gardens, a picturesque lake, and plenty of open space for picnics and activities. The historic Valentines Mansion adds a touch of elegance, and there are great facilities for families, including a playground and a cafe. Whether you're looking for a peaceful stroll, a fun day with the kids, or a bit of local history, Valentines Park has something for everyone. Highly recommended!

Lovely park to visit during Autumn, I like that they sell food to feed the ducks, squirrels. If you are looking for a peaceful place away from the loudness this is perfect. Just watching the ducks, geese, swan swim is more than enough to relax you.

Nice park in East London. Parking for about 25 cars. 10 mins walk from the tube station and high street. Nice little boating lake as well. Has picnic area, benches and a good cafe with vegetarian options

Valentine’s Park is a lovely spot for a family day out. It’s clean, well-kept, and has plenty to keep everyone happy. The children’s play area is safe and fun, and the café serves tasty snacks and great ice cream. In summer, the boating lake is a real highlight – hiring a boat and going out on the water is such a nice treat for families. There are also beautiful gardens, wide open spaces for picnics, and peaceful walking paths. With sports facilities and a friendly atmosphere, it’s easy to spend the whole day here. A real gem in London for kids and adults alike!

Beautiful Valentine’s Park, relaxing afternoon in this lovely Park will offer adults and children a wonderful break after a long and busy week

Great for walks, runs, cycling, picnics, tennis, birds watching etc. There's a lake near the entrance with swans. Fabulous place to chillax. Recently started tree watching, loads of benches (if you need to take a break)

Lovely autumnal colours, so many varieties of trees and colour. ducks and swans are walking all over the park, places they usually don't venture to in flocks, so it's very nice. Most of the squrrils however seem to be becoming super friendly and rather chubby, as soon as they see new people.walking about, they come right upto you waiting for handouts, wait a few seconds, if you have nothing to give, they scamper off.

I knew what I was going to play and I still liked the course and the layout is super fun to play. The quirky relationship with the highway is unique. There are no two holes alike, which I love. The overall condition was not good throughout. It could just use more maintenance everywhere all the time. #2, #6, #9, #11, #13, #14, #16 and #17 are all good holes.

Enjoyable course. First time here. Good to see they have a practice net to warm io and a chipping green but the fairways are awful and dry and the greens have multiple divots in them and very slow and bumpy. Still over all enjoyed the day but not sure if I’d return

Always wanted to play here but never quite got round to it, all be it that this is a local course. I knew that the course sat very close to the A406 so I was somewhat prepared for that. Quite surreal to see a well kept green surrounded by beautiful trees with a flyover and crane for a backdrop. The course was relatively short with some interesting blind shots and quirky holes due to the river running through. A few holes cross over each other as well so clearly getting the course into the space available has required some compromises. The greens I found ran very true and after a few holes found my myself feeling very confident hitting putts from distance. Pitching into the greens I found they didn't take much spin and balls rolled off greens quite readily. Some aspects of maintenance were disappointing, a lot of cut grass just sits all over the course making it appear unkept. For some reason found a traffic bollard in the course which I must say is a first. Overall a decent experience. The cost and proximity makes this course a good option.

Ilford is a very friendly club. Considering the amount of rain in east London last few days it was remarkably dry. The greens were firm, but a high ball would stop .The greens are always good at Ilford. My only complaint was nature. So many leaves it took an age to find our balls.

Ilford Golf Course is a fantastic option for those seeking a good value for money round of golf during the summer months. The Twilight hours offer an affordable way to play, making it accessible to all. The course is usually well maintained and presents enjoyable challenges throughout, with some fun questions of the tee. Although the course was very dry during the summer, it has since recovered, providing a pleasant round of golf all year round. However, it can be very wet during the winter months, so it's always worth checking the weather before booking a tee time. One of the standout features of Ilford Golf Course is the feeling of the course being getable, meaning that it is possible for golfers of all skill levels to have a good round. With a mix of short and long holes, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Personally, my favorite hole is the 6th. The green is well maintained and boasts impressive bunkers on either side, making for a visually striking hole. It's a challenging par 4 that requires some strategic thinking to navigate successfully, and it's always satisfying to make par or better on this hole. Overall, I highly recommend Ilford Golf Course for those seeking an affordable round of golf with enjoyable challenges throughout. With a well-maintained course, a range of holes to suit all abilities, and some visually striking features, it's a great choice for any keen golfer.

Course in terrible condition. Greens aren’t green they’re brown and fairways have more holes than Swiss cheese.

This is a unique and interesting layout, course is fairly short but tight fairways. Good value for money - it’s worth a trip. Some of the green areas and fairways could be better but all in all this is enjoyable for Mid to High handicappers. Staff are nice and welcoming and bar area is modern 👍

Not a very good station. This station is newly built but platform are old styled. There is no escalator from platform to road level. One lift is there. Lots of connecting bus is available from here.

Highly inefficient staff. Always in their own conversations. Never ready to help and take 10 mins to tell prices. If you go here you will have to put up with the way they behave as well as the high travel prices. Travelcard prices have increased like more than £15 a week. Worst customer service.

Absolute rubbish. What is the point of posting certain times of arrival if your train leaves early? Surely your driver's can read time. As soon as there are delays they will change trains coming to platform 3 to platform 1. You'll see everyone with buggies and disabilities rushing to get up cross the bridge and come down only for the train to come to the original platform. This has happened countless times. And then you'll see the clueless station staff all puzzled. I know it's not their fault but your feedback can change this nonsense.

Entrance changed to the side so you have to go up 2 flights of steps and then down again to get on a platform. It doesn't show up on Transport for London searches either. What are disabled travellers supposed to do?

According to the old station after Elizabeth line bring this station excellent n good looking n staff.

Randomly close York road exit, rude staff. Best to avoid at all costs walking or busing to redbridge or gants hill tube. 'TfL Rail' are not competent to run this line nor provide safe station facilities

Its unpleasant after dark , the lighting outside the station should be improved to stop the present behaviour. Another stabbing 4pm 5/4/19. The staff are helpful.

Block of flats. Nice little building. Secure. Access is on the main road. Parking round the back.

So beautiful and the talk about the place's history was fascinating.

One of the most beautiful churches you will find in London!

Lovely old building

very interesting place

Seven Kings Park (Cricket Ground) - A Solid Venue for a Good Game Seven kings Park (cricket ground) offers a decent experience for cricketers of various levels. The pitch, while showing some signs of wear, generally provides a fair contest between bat and ball. We found the bounce to be consistent, though spinners might find more assistance later in the day. The outfield, while not the fastest we've encountered, was mostly even and didn't significantly hinder scoring opportunities. The ground benefits from having functional changing rooms and toilet facilities, which is always a plus. Spectator facilities are somewhat limited, with only a few benches available, so bringing your own seating might be advisable for longer matches. Accessibility-wise, the ground is reasonably well-connected by public transportation and private transport. Parking is available on-site, limited street parking. Overall, Seven Kings Park (Cricket Ground) provides a reliable venue for a competitive game of cricket. While it might lack some of the frills of more premium grounds, its focus on the essentials makes it a good choice for local clubs and friendly matches."

Impressive vibe & Sunrise🌅. Will come back for sure… 💯❕

I recommend it for local people specially for old and children for their morning and afternoon walk. It has roadside free parking space as well as inside parking space for disabled people. Very calm, and clean. Go and enjoy!!

Wonderful park.Beautiful environment and a place of cricket or other Sports. I went to play cricket there many times.From middlesbrouh 😇🏏

Very beautiful and clean park along with play grounds

Beautiful park, very well maintained. Good sports facilities, several play areas, an outdoor gym and a nice stream. Nearby and peaceful place to visit if you are staying in Goodmayes Hospital.

Awesome park with lots of options for all ages. Gym, skaters park, playground area. Cricket and basketball and tennis pitch. Also free parking in and around park

Despite the number of activities available, the space allocated for children’s sessions often a small room next to a toilet is not ideal and smells dreadful . It’s crowded and disconnected from the rest of the children’s library, making it difficult for little ones to fully engage, and feel part of the library to socialise and feel relaxed. It would be great to see these sessions held in a more open, welcoming area of the children’s section or a dedicated room. This would help encourage connection, interaction, and a more positive early learning environment. Additionally, having staff present rather than relying solely on volunteers could ensure more support is available for both children and parents during the sessions.

My daughter forgot her USB in the PC on the upper level of the library while studying.it is Samsung USB.She has all the precious moments of her life and siblings. If anyone found it please return on the reception. Ill highly appreciate it.

Today I had one of the worst customer service experiences at Ilford Library. From the moment I entered, I was made to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. A female staff member spoke to me in a condescending manner, as if I was supposed to know everything without any assistance. Shortly after, I witnessed an elderly man being shouted at and forcibly removed by security. I truly believe the situation could have been handled much better. I saw a staff member come out of a room, start yelling at the man, and ordering him to grab his things and leave. It was incredibly distressing to watch. I had come to the library to print a document — something I hadn’t done in years — and was unfamiliar with the process. I had no one to help me and I needed those documents today. I rang my son to ask for help, as soon as I rang him a woman sitting opposite me started to yell at me, threatening to call security and have me banned simply because I was asking for assistance from my son over the phone. Her behaviour was aggressive, humiliating, and made me feel extremely anxious. When I finally managed to print my document, it came out incorrectly formatted and tiny — costing me £6.50 for unusable prints. I was never warned that this could happen when printing from a phone. When I politely explained the situation to a staff member at the front desk, he responded rudely, telling me “you ain’t getting your money back,” which was shockingly disrespectful and unprofessional. The entire experience left me feeling humiliated, overwhelmed, and in tears as I left. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from a public service. I will never return to Ilford Library after today and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a supportive and respectful environment.

Library has vast collection of books. Good place to read. Many programs are conducted regularly for kids and students. Museum is a very good place and has vast collection of preserved things with detailed information. It is a very good place to know about history of Ilford. Everyone must visit with family.

Passed by and found the museum inside the library building. Very interesting and full of information about Redbridge. Worth visiting. There’s also a cafe in the ground floor of the library. The environment was cosy with friendly staff and the food was yummy, too.

A large array of different books and an amazing museum! Quite the experience, the staff were exceptionally helpful in finding i book I had wanted. The children's section is filled to the brim with suitable books for a child's upbringing. For older students the Library has a Study zone on the 2nd and 3rd floor. The Library also contains photocopiers ,printers ,and anything you would need.

I took my son to a Lab Central class, all the the staff were very courteous and truly went above and beyond to accommodate us. I would definitely recommend and my son had an absolute blast.

This park is very beautiful and well maintained. The park was once the manor of Clay Hall, with its history dating back to the 13th century. It was purchased by the local authority in the mid-1920s and opened as a public park in 1934. It features a formal rose garden with a pagoda, an impressive avenue of mature horse chestnut trees, and a small maze with wheelchair access within the Rose Garden, providing beautiful scenery. The park also includes areas for informal sport, diverse wildlife, and plants, including a landmark nature reserve known as 'Ornamental Waters' with artificial ponds and rough grassland.

It’s a great park and has six tennis courts as well. You need to book them in advance. Once booked, they’ll email you a code (valid for one hour) that you enter at the door to access the courts.

My daughter and her partner went for a walk here and told me it was nice. I have never been here before so I decided to walk here to see for myself. It's lovely here. Although the park is surrounded by roads on all four sides, it is so incredibly peaceful. There is everything you could need here: picnic area, tennis courts, kids playground, café, public toilets. In the middle is a massive playing field and round the edge and through the middle are lovely paths to walk.

I go there for running every now and then. It is a clean and beautiful park with a lot of runners

I can't believe it took me so long to visit this park. It is totally clean quiet serene well apart from the children who might be there over the summer holidays. There's a full on playground with swings and other facilities for children. There's an outdoor gym with decent enough equipment. There's also a some courts for sports. My favourite was a more quiet area like a walkway with plenty of shade and benches to just sit down and people watch I took a picture of this.

Nice place to have picnic or even exercise. Big and clean just make sure to check timings.

Overall it's 4/5 experience only falling short only in the number of equipment available per person within the gym. It has a nice child area which is quite large which is suited for the ages of 4-10, a flower garden which should bloom soon, a cricket area in the middle of the field and an outdoor gym. There are also minor areas as well such as an ice-cream store and ping pong area. The community is quite diverse and friendly so there's no problems with interacting with others. I'd just like a basketball court or at least multiple areas with hoops, otherwise it would be a 5/5.

An understated tiled area holding 2 rectangular granite stones with attached plaques. A trim and well-maintained surround located in the southwestern corner of the park with ease of access. Unobtrusive, restrained - all the more powerful - nudging gently at complacency.

One of the most popular and historic garden in UK.

Very nice

Very well

Ok

Nice

Good for visiting.

I was disappointed in the quality of the ice, it was very bumpy and wet. The skates were not comfortable and the area to swap skates was wet under foot. The drinks counter and other huts were all closed. I will not be going again. I did try to complain via the website but it does not have any contact details. I would have liked a partial refund as this was the last day, I'm hoping the ice was better for other sessions. I can only speak for today.

Nice little venue, enough there for a few hours: Ice Skating, Father Christmas (who was excellent, one of the best we have seen, my little boy was captivated), Fair Rides (small but enough) and food stalls. Would highly recommended to break the festive Season! Easy day out!

Very fun experience, all staff are very lovely and welcoming. My sister can be very challenging and I felt as if the elfs and Santa in the grotto were very accommodating and made her feel really special. Definitely recommend !

My recent visit was alright. Price for skating I found a bit high at around 17 pounds for adults. 8 pounds for kids and another 5 pounds to rent a penguin 🐧. I was told to book online if I wanted a penguin as they are first come first serve. The food is halal I was told by signage however they serve pork sausages and there is clear cross contamination between the pork and the beef so I can't recommend eating here if you have any conflicting dietary concerns. The singing from the choir was nice for a bit but I think the sound system setup is awful, really doesn't help. The setup overall is better this year than last year bit it's still a bit lackluster in what they are tyring to do. Pakring is terrible no help from staff. Thr funfare is not affiliated with the train rides so you gotta get tickets for diffrent hints. So strange I don't get it. Overall its OK for a local one but not worth a revisit. If your over 10 I'd suggest to miss this entirless unless you really want to go ice-skating. My daughter 2yo did enjoy the rider. The plane one especially.

Would give 0 stars if I could. Staff were extremely rude when refusing us a refund. Nothing was open and the ice rink was a tiny square. My partner and I asked for a refund 30 mins before our booking and we were met with a very rude man who thought the words “with all due respect” disguises his rudeness. We wanted a refund as it was raining and we did not feel the ice rink was worthwhile. We were only offered the option to reschedule and only told about the no refunds policy when we asked for one

My daughter loved the whole atmosphere and ice skating! We attended last year too and it was very well organised. Hope you continue to organise every year as lots of locals can have fun!

When booking online there was no indication that skating aids were/weren't available. Turned up and was told that all skating aids were reserved, so my little girl lasted 5mins and my son lasted 30mins before they wanted to leave. They need to make it clear when booking online if skating aids are available or not, otherwise it's a waste of money for beginners. The person at the ticket office understood my issue and offered discount for future bookings - I kindly declined, as my kids have been traumatised by the skating experience!