The area that surrounds the gorgeous Valentines Park sits on the northern edge of Ilford, just below Gants Hill. Another great example of the quintessential suburban landscape of Ilford that was established in the early 1900s, this area is made up of neat lines of comfortable low-rise terraced houses. Valentine’s Park offers a green oasis that includes tennis courts, sports facilities and even a lake. Meanwhile, the town centre of Ilford provides key amenities for the diverse residents of the area. This predominantly East Asian population gives the neighbourhood a wonderful cosmopolitanism as well as great independent restaurants and shops.

The neighbourhood first set itself on the map when Valentine’s Mansion was built in the Edwardian period, for Elizabeth Tillotson – the widow of the archbishop of Canterbury. It was passed down from wealthy family to wealthy family until it was given to the council in 1912. From then on, it embodied a variety of roles. First, as a house for wartime refugees, then - a hospital and lastly, the council’s housing department. However, the key turning point in the transformation of the area was 1909, when Valentine’s Park Estate was built as one of the last Victorian schemes, establishing the area as a key suburb.

The Ilford area seems to be a lucky charm – the area has had 22 winning lottery tickets totaling over £44 million. Ilford has produced 10 millionaires out of sheer luck.

Despite everything that the area has going for it, there are some downsides. Cranbrook Road, a key local commercial area, could do with a fresh lick of paint. Although it offers an important source of local business, it’s currently slightly run down. Additionally, residents have some legitimate concerns about the impending arrival of CrossRail, and the temporarily nuisances of construction around the station.

Valentines Park is likely to see the effects of the introduction of the Elizabeth line at nearby Ilford, and the developments that are happening around there such as large-scale redevelopment between the Ilford Hill Flyover and Ilford Station, known as the Ilford Western Gateway. The scheme will contribute to the wider regeneration of the outer-London town, bringing with it 1000 new homes, well-planned walking and cycle routes, new and improved green spaces, over 30,000 square foot of non-residential community space including a larger and better provisioned boxing gym, and a wholesale redevelopment of the existing Ilford gyratory. Work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2024 and bring with it almost 1500 jobs, 300 of which are predicted to be permanent.

As part of an £11m leisure improvement scheme in response to the new Elizabeth line, Redbridge Council are reopening and rejeuvenating the Valentines Lido as a brand new outdoor swimming spot after it was closed in the 1990s. The lido will rival those of Brockwell, Tooting Bec and London Fields and is part of the council’s plans to make Redbridge a greener and healthier borough.