| Valentines Park | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Entering the park from Cranbrook Road | |
  | |
| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Gants Hill |
| Nearest city | Ilford |
| Coordinates | 51°34′14″N0°4′16″E / 51.57056°N 0.07111°E /51.57056; 0.07111 |
| Area | 52 hectares (130 acres) |
| Created | 1899; 126 years ago (1899) |
| Owned by | Redbridge |
| Operated by | Vision RCL |
| Open | 8am to Dusk[1] |
| Designation | Listed Park |
| Public transit access | |
Valentines Park is a 52-hectare (130-acre) park, south ofGants Hill, it is the largestgreen space in theLondon Borough of Redbridge.[2] The park was originally the grounds ofValentines Mansion, a residence built in 1696.[3] Valentines Park holds aGreen Flag Award and was voted one of the ten best parks in Britain in 2019.[4]
The park, including Valentines Mansion, is managed on behalf of Redbridge Council byVision RCL, a registered charity.[5]
Valentines Park was put together by various purchases and gifts of land, starting in 1898 and culminating in the 1920s.
In 1899 the Cranbrook Estate, which now makes up an area in the west of the park, was about to be sold for housing. TheMunicipal Borough of Ilford had acquired its first section of parkland a year previously and was keen to enlarge its size as soon as land became available. Local officials believed that, unless an area of "relaxation and pleasure" was retained for the growing urban population, all traces of a rural Ilford could be lost. The park was opened in the same year under the name ofCranbrook Park.[6]
Valentines Mansion was built in 1696 for Lady Tillotson, the widow ofJohn Tillotson,Archbishop of Canterbury.[HE 1][7][8] For twenty years until around 1780 it was the family home of Sir Charles Raymond who had considerable interests in theEast India Company as a ship owner and later became a banker. The house remained a family house until Sarah Ingleby, its last inhabitant, died on 3 January 1906. Following the death of the mansion's owner the local council acquired the remainder of its grounds and expanded the park.[9][6] It is now aGrade II listed building.
County Cricket was first played at Valentines Park in Ilford in 1922 and a pavilion was completed a year later after a Mrs Ingleby, who owned 136 acres of land surrounding it, donated the venue to Ilford CC. The first ever county match to be played on a Sunday was played there on 15 May 1966 between Essex and Somerset, with 6,000 spectators attending.[10][11]
During 2007–2008 Valentines Park underwent an extensive renovation financed by theHeritage Lottery Fund and by the owners,Redbridge London Borough Council. The survival of formalRococo features in a suburban park have given the park great heritage value,[3] the park itself is Grade II Listed[HE 2] with several constructions in the park also holding listed status such as the Gardeners Cottage (Grade II[HE 3]) and the railings and gates (Grade II*[HE 4]).
Valentines Mansion (Grade II*) is now open to visit as a historic house and is hired out as a wedding venue.[12]
Some of the parks other features include:[3]
The park previously had alido but this was demolished in 1995.[14]
Redbridge Council approved a new Swimming Lido with 25 metre swimming lanes in June 2024. The Lido is estimated to open sometime after August 2025. It will include an indoor gymnasium, dance studio, changing facilities and café. It is planned to be built on the original Lido position.[15]
.jpg)
Valentines Park has a number of mature trees (includingtulip trees, Scots pine,horse chestnuts, limes, andcedars of Lebanon) largeyuccas, and manicured beds of shrubs other plants.[HE 2] The park is popular withbirdwatchers[16] and the species that have been spotted there includeMarsh Tits andTurtle Doves.[17] It is also home to the Valentines ParkField Maple, planted in the 17th century and one of theGreat Trees of London.[18]
Valentines Park is one of parks claimed to be the subject of theSmall Faces hit,Itchycoo Park.[19]
It was the filming location of season 2 ofThe Great British Bake Off.[20]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)National Heritage List for England
