Rhododendron Beds
Ornamental Fountain
False Bridge
Rhododendron Beds
Ornamental Fountain
False Bridge
Valentines Park is a large urban park situated between Ilford and Gant's Hill. It is bounded by a number of roads, the major ones being Cranbrook Road and Perth Road, IG1.
It is generally considered to be the most important urban park of East London, after Victoria Park in Bow.The southern part of the modern park, around the current boating lake, was the first land acquired by the council and became Central Park (also known as Cranbrook Park) in 1899. Later on, the adjoining Valentines Mansion and surrounding estate were given to the council as well, and the whole area was renamed to Valentines Park. A few further additions took place over the years. Today Valentine Mansion overlooks the park from the north, near Gant's Hill. The park today still shows distinct differences between the original Cranbrook Park and the estate of Valentines Mansion.
By the Gant's Hill entrance, there are a number of features associated with the Valentines Estate. These include the house itself, a walled garden (not in use, and not accessible), and the gardens to the south of the house. South of this, there is a large lawn, separated from the house by a ha-ha. To the east of the house and lawn, a set of lakes and ditches forms a boundary to the main lawn. This area includes a false bridge, and some follies. Beyond these there is the American Gardens, now mainly rhododendron and other shrub plantings standing under trees.To the south of the old estate, the original Cranbrook Park still remains, with a variety of sports and recreational features. Major features of this include the large boating lake to the southwest, and a watercourse within a stepped channel that takes water to it from the northwest. While the stepped channel still exists, the main flow of water has unfortunately been diverted underground, otherwise this would have been a classic and imposing landscape feature. There are several distinct gardens, including a sunken garden, rose gardens, and gardens at some of the main entrances. There is a cafe, bowling greens, and playgrounds.
In addition to these, there is a whole collection of monuments, follies, and other features. There are extensive landscape walks, including some walks through rhododendron collections under trees.Unfortunately, and despite its numerous good points, the park shows many signs of poor and incoherent design over decades. This no doubt derives from its piecemeal aggregation. The many gardens in the south of the park seem to have been planned each in isolation without thought of how they might fit into the park as a whole. Almost every single one of the many bridges in the park seems to have been planned by a different person to a different design, and too often a utilitarian rather than aesthetic design. In addition to the design problems, much of the fencing, the paths, and other infrastructure were in poor condition, as of 2006.
However, a Heritage Lottery Fund application for improvements to the house and park has been approved, and improvements are under way.The park is managed by the London Borough of Redbridge. Contact 020 8708 5437. There are some projects under way to improve the park, details of which can seen on the council's website. There is a group of local residents concerned with the park, the Valentines Park Conservationists. Their website has some information on the park and how to get there, and a list of events and activities. There is a website about the house at Friends of Valentines Mansion, which has also some material about the park, and has been updated more recently.