Holiday rentals in Ilford

Just a 30-minute train ride from the attractions of the West End and Central London, Ilford is a great base for your trip to the capital. Located in the Borough of Redbridge, Ilford has a vibrant town centre and a mile-long high street boasting a range of independent shops and chain stores, as well as a major indoor shopping centre. The town is full of restaurants, wine bars, pubs, and green spaces, including the popular Valentines Park, known for its colourful floral displays, and the historic Valentines Mansion. Ilford is also home to the Kenneth More Theatre, which hosts several plays and theatre performances throughout the year.

Another claim to fame for Ilford: in 1860, the only complete skull of a mammoth discovered in the United Kingdom was found on what is today Ilford High Street. The skull can be seen in the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, and the Museum of London also showcases some of the 900-plus discoveries made at local brickworks, from wooly rhinoceros bones to fossilised tusks.

With so much happening in London all year round, anytime is a good time to stay in an Ilford apartment. The most pleasant months to visit are March to May and September to October, when the days are generally mild, perfect for exploring London from your base in Ilford. In October, the Ilford Ratha Yatra Festival of Chariots takes place in Valentines Park, with a chariot procession from the town hall followed by traditional music and dance. Temperatures are highest from June to August, when you can expect long warm, humid days, and Shoreditch’s streets are filled with people browsing offbeat independent shops, artisan gelato in hand. In winter, you can expect cold temperatures and rain, but it’s also a magical time to be in the city, with bright lights and decorations to celebrate the holiday season. You can catch a football or rugby match at one of scores taking place on Hackney Marshes every weekend, and Mare Street’s Vietnamese and Korean restaurants are the perfect way to warm up on a frosty day.

ArcelorMittal Orbit

Just 15 minutes down the road from Ilford in Stratford is ArcelorMittal Orbit, an award-winning modern sculpture and one of the city’s most striking monuments. The spiralling red steel tower stands 114.5 metres high and has an observation deck where you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views over all of London. The monument is also home to the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide — as you twist and turn your way down, you’ll catch glimpses of the view through the small windows.

St Dunstan in the East Church Garden

St Dunstan in the East is an imposing gothic church that was built in the 12th century and severely damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was rebuilt only to be damaged again in the Blitz of 1941. It then fell into ruin until 1967, when the remains became the centre of a tranquil public garden, which today is a true oasis in the city.

Valentines Park

For a change of pace from London life, take in the tranquil grounds of Valentines Park in the centre of Ilford. The park surrounds an impressive 300-year-old stately home, where you can tour the recreated period rooms, including a Victorian kitchen and Georgian bedchamber. You can also spend an afternoon simply strolling around the gardens, home to lush green spaces and a boating lake.