Seven Kings is a well connected Ilford neighbourhood that’s been recently gaining attention from Londoners who are in search of more affordable housing. Many of the homes are modest but are still well maintained desirable semi-detached terraced houses - mostly Georgian and post-war styles. While the streets themselves might not be as tree-lined as other outer London neighbourhoods, Seven Kings does offer plenty of green space. Between the huge and lush Seven Kings Park, and the smaller Westwood Recreation Ground, there is no shortage of outdoor opportunities. Beyond its greenery, the area also has a cheap and diverse food scene. Between Jake’s Burgers, Delhi O Delhi, and the Brothers Fish Bar - there’s little reason to venture far for a delicious meal. If residents do find themselves needing to get away though, it’s only a short ride into Central London on TfL Rail!

Rumour has it that Seven Kings got its name from an event in which seven royal huntsmen stopped there to rest while their horses drank from a stream in the forest. This story has not been proven but the neighbourhood has many other nicknames in more truth. The area is known by some as “the town built in a year.” This nickname comes from the fact that Cameron Corbett, a local developer, constructed a good portion of the houses and estates from 1898 to 1899. This development led to quick growth of the neighbourhood. Today, the residents enjoy a much more accessible area than those early families did.

In 2004, famous artist, Michael Landy, created a full size sculpture of his parents’ Seven Kings home. The piece, ‘Semi-detached’, was on display at the Tate Britain for 6 months and asked viewers questions about employment and purpose.

The crime rates in this neighbourhood are slightly higher than the averages elsewhere in the borough of Redbridge. Still, they are lower than London’s averages and categorised mostly as non-violent miscellaneous theft.

The biggest change to hit this area in recent years has undoubtedly been the arrival of the Elizabeth Line at Seven King’s station. The new high speed line brings Stratford within just ten minutes of this area with further destinations in central and west London now directly connected to this neighbourhood. This long anticipated piece of infrastructure has made the area more desirable than ever, attracting interest from numerous private developers. Most notably, 300 new homes could be built opposite Chester Road and Pembroke Road, as part of plans for a community hub and new GP surgery. The council has been keen on the project as the cost of the community facilities and GP hub are expected to be absorbed by the new housing on offer.