We have travelled to Ilford, spent some time there and prepared the below Ilford area guide to help you understand what is good and what is not.
We visited Ilford in early September 2023 and spent the best part of two days exploring.
Table of Contents
- About Ilford
- Ilford Transport Links
- Ilford Area Guide – Crime
- Ilford Area Guide – House Prices
- Demographics
- Ilford Area Guide – Things To Do
- Summary – Is Ilford A Nice Place To Live?
About Ilford
Ilford is the central, capital town in the London Borough of Redbridge.
In terms of its location it is located 9.4 miles northeast of Charing Cross.
The population of Ilford in 2021 was 188,422, making it comfortably the most populous town Redbridge.
As a piece of random trivia, Ilford is officially the luckiest place in the UK for lottery wins.
There have been 22 winning lottery tickets in Ilford, worth over £56 million.
Ilford has access to the Elizabeth Line
Ilford Transport Links
Ilford is well-connected to the rest of London and the UK although it doesn’t have any tube stations.
The main method of public transport is via the mainline station which is served by the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail).
While the opening of Crossrail has allowed commuters to travel directly to places like Paddington, they will need to be patient.
There are a lot of stops on the way and those who remember the old line will recall similar time journeys to Liverpool Street.
The trains are clean and well air conditioned but for those who just want to get to Stratford or Liverpool St, Crossrail had little impact.
Being a central hub there are a number of bus routes servicing Ilford, including the 25 which runs into central London.
Ilford Area Guide – Crime
The crime rate in Ilford is higher than surrounding areas with 104 crimes per 1,000 people.
This is compared to 79 crimes per 1,000 people in the Borough of Redbridge. Redbridge includes Ilford but also places like Barkingside, Gants Hill and Hainault.
The Ilford crime rate of 104 compares poorly also to London’s average of 95 crimes.
With that said however, some inner London areas can get as high as 145 crimes per 1,000.
According to the Met Police, the most common form of offending is Anti Social Behaviour. This is followed by Violence and then Shoplifting.
Ilford Area Guide – House Prices
The average house price in Ilford in August 2023 was £459,564.
This is lower than the average house price in the London Borough of Redbridge (£502,184) and England (£293,292).
House prices in Ilford have been rising steadily in recent years.
In the past five years, house prices in Ilford have increased by 34.5%. They are up 2% year on year vs 2022 according to Rightmove.
Demographics
The population of Ilford as per the 2021 census is 310,000, this is up from the 2011 figure of 279,000.
Ilford is a very diverse town, with a population that is made up of people from all over the world.
The largest ethnic groups in Ilford are Indian (28%), white British (24%), white Other (15%), Bangladeshi (11%), and Pakistani (5%).
This diversity is felt as you walk around the town centre. There are stalls and shops displaying a range of goods from various cultures m
Ilford is a young town, with a median age of 34.6.
This is lower than the median age of the London Borough of Redbridge (36.7) and England (39.4).
Ilford Area Guide – Things To Do
Ilford is a hustling and bustling town with a town centre which stays open late.
Here are some things to do in the area;
Valentines Park
A 520-acre park with a variety of amenities, Valentine’s Park is one of the highlights of the area.
It includes a lake, a boating center, a miniature railway, a playground, and a café.
The park is walking distance from the train station. If you come out of the station and turn left, it is around half a mile on your right.
Valentine’s Park is a well maintained venue and a nice place to spend a sunny afternoon.
Kenneth More Theatre
The Kenneth More Theatre is a venue steeped in history.
Although slightly tatty from the outside it has a charming feel and hosts a number of enjoyable shows.
You’ll find various reasonably priced productions, including musicals, plays, and comedy events.
Shopping in the town centre
Ilford town centre has a wide range of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. At its centre is the Ilford Exchange shopping mall.
Whilst I don’t think even Ilford’s most vocal supporters would claim it to be the most glamorous venue, it has what you need.
Redbridge Museum
At the time of our visit the Redbridge Museum was closed for refurbishments. While that is a shame it did give us the chance to read up on the incoming improvements.
The museum has recently been given a grant of a £100,000 by the national lottery. This money will be spent on what looks like an already impressive venue.
Be on the lookout for it reopening as we are sure it will be a popular attraction.
Summary – Is Ilford A Nice Place To Live?
During our visit and research we formed a mixed opinion of Ilford.
It is undoubtedly a diverse and vibrant town with a lot to offer residents and visitors alike.
The town centre is scruffy in places but serviceable, Valentine’s Park is lovely and a true highlight.
Ilford’s crime rate is a concern, after dark it didn’t necessarily feel like a particularly safe place.
This is despite the local police’s best efforts and that of the local authority.
The transport links are also a bit of a mirage in that yes it has Crossrail, but very little has changed.
Historically travellers could get into London Liverpool Street in around 20 minutes, and that is still the case.
It must be said, Crossrail has allowed travellers to get directly to Heathrow and Paddington.
Property prices are reasonable, places the other side of Redbridge such as Gants Hill command a big premium.
This is likely due to access to the ever delivering Central Line.
So to wrap up, we didn’t find Ilford to be a bad place whatsoever.
However if your budget can stretch, some surrounding areas may be preferable.
