Valentines Mansion and Gardens - Ilford
Valentines Mansion is a beautiful country house and gardens in the heart of Ilford, more than 300 years old. The house was built in around 1696 for Elizabeth Tillotson and her family, after the death of her husband, the Archbishop of Canterbury. At that time the new brick house stood in open countryside, several miles from the edge of London.
Valentines has changed hands many times since then. City merchant and banker Robert Surman bought the estate in 1720s and created the walled gardens, dovecote and grottoes. In the 1760s owner Sir Charles Raymond spent part of his fortune renovating Valentines, giving the house its Georgian appearance.
Sarah Ingleby, the last private resident of Valentines, died in 1906 and the Council acquired the house in 1912. Since then, the mansion has been home to wartime refugees, a hospital, a public health centre, and a council housing department.
After standing empty for 15 years, Valentines has now been restored with Redbridge council and Heritage Lottery funds, and strong community support to create the historic but contemporary venue it is today.
What to do
There’s so much you can do when visiting Valentines Mansion and Gardens! Relax and unwind in the gorgeous gardens at Valentines. Discover the historic kitchen garden, the Old English walled garden and the Victorian rose garden. There are also a whole host of unique features like the Long Water canal, rococo grottoes and dovecote. Valentines Gardens provide a wonderful setting for events throughout the year, from open-air theatre to farmers’ markets. Families can enjoy the trails, or borrow an outdoor games bag from the mansion.
Opening Times and Charges
Valentines Mansion opens on 14 February 2009 and then throughout the year:
Tuesday 10am to 5pm
Wednesday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm
Please note that Valentines Mansion & Gardens will be closed on Wednesday 4 March 2009 for the official opening by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO.
Admission FREE
Guided tours for groups £3 per person (must be pre-booked)
Please note that most events are charged separately.
Access
Designated car parking spaces are provided for disabled badge holders.
The mansion has level access throughout, with a lift to all floors.
For access advice call +44 (0)20 8708 8100.
Getting There
Tube Gants Hill Underground Station (Central Line). 5 minutes walk.
Rail Ilford National Rail, direct line from Liverpool Street Station.
Bus Take bus routes 396, 128, 179, 123, 296, 167 from Gants Hill Underground Station and 128, 296, 150, 396, 167 from Ilford National Rail to stop ‘Valentines Mansion and Park’.
Cycle Cycle to the mansion through Valentines Park. Cycle racks are provided at the mansion.
Road Easily accessible from the A406 (junction for A12) and the M25 (junction 27 for M11, and follow on to the A406 East). Car parking is available at the mansion (charges may apply).
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