Wandering through the streets of Clayhall will reveal large houses that, despite having been built largely in the 20th century, boast welcoming styles. Many of these homes have their own yards and driveways, setting apart Clayhall from some of the more modest Ilford neighbourhoods nearby. Despite there being no tube access in the neighbourhood, residents are still spoiled by its many other desirable traits. Clayhall’s plethora of lush green spaces and wonderful schools makes it a popular destination for London families. On a typical weekend day in Clayhall Park, you might find these families breaking a sweat over a tennis match or residents strolling through the scenic rose gardens. No activity at the park is complete though without finishing it off with a cone at the Clayhall Ice Cream and Tea Parlour. Beyond this local favourite, the area is lacking in many shops and eateries, but locals don’t mind the serenity that this provides. For those nights when a pint and meal out is absolutely necessary, there’s always Clayhall Fish Bar or Unicorn Pub to pop into. With all that it has to offer, and with Ilford prices, Clayhall is a neighbourhood that’s definitely worth the trip.

Local recreation site, Clayhall Park, was once the manor of Clay Hall. It’s believed that it was within the family from as early as the 13th century. By the mid-1700s, the manor house had been demolished only to be replaced by a farmhouse. Later on, in 1927, the manor was broken up into segments and sold in part to the council. In 1934, the council opened up the site as a public park. Today visitors enjoy the plethora of recreation facilities on the site. Some of these include tennis courts, football pitches, and a bowling green.

Famous television presenter, Noel Edmonds, attended Glade Primary School in the neighbourhood. On a recent visit back to the school, he arrived via helicopter.

Londoners looking for a bustling high street should move elsewhere. There are very few shops and eateries in Clay Hall. Still, it’s only a short walk to other busier parts of Ilford and many residents like the quiet feel that the lack of businesses allows for in the neighbourhood.

This small residential neighbourhood full of modest semi-detached interwar homes has seen little in the way of large scale development over the past decade. In recent years, however, a number of residential developments have completed in neighbouring Gants Hill, including Invito and The Point, which together have added almost 230 new residential units with varying numbers of bedrooms, as well as The Valentine, that boasts 321 student accommodation units. Further still, the Kalyvides Partnership are in the planning stages of a 29,000sqm mixed-use development in Gants Hill that will include 167 residential units and a 2,800sqm food store. All in all Redbridge Council wish to bring 500 new homes, 8,000sqm of new retail space, and 2,600sqm of employment space to Gants Hill to accommodate 600 new jobs.