Things to do in Ilford | Living in Ilford

Ilford is a small town located in East London, Redbridge, and is home to a range of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and more. Travelling is made easy here with the great transport links of the Elizabeth Line and multiple bus routes throughout the town, creating an easy commute into central London. With plenty of activities and regular events taking place, here are the best places to see, restaurants to eat at, and the best shops to shop at.

Ilford has a variety of shops offering furniture, clothes, food, books, local markets and so on with the best place to shop being the shopping centre; The Exchange. Here you can find the most popular clothing stores, jewellery, food, cafes and more. You can check out their website for daily updates on what events are happening too!

Ilford has a range of entertainment options available including a cinema, theatre and museum. Both the local theatre, Kenneth More Theatre and the cinemas, Cineworld, are located within a couple of minute’s walking distance, hosting many films and exciting plays to watch! There are also other events that take place at Kenneth More Theatre, like talks, film screenings and music, which you can check out on their website. Nearby is the Redbridge Heritage Centre located in the Redbridge Central Library which you can find out more about below.

There are endless food options in Ilford with a diverse range of cuisines available, Ilford is one of the best places to visit for either dinner, brunch and even dessert! Whether it’s in the shopping centre, The Exchange, or the food market stalls located outside, there’s an option for everyone all at an affordable price.

Things to do in Ilford

Ilford Golf Club

Located near Ilford train station, visitors have the chance to become a member of this golf club, which is an experience to try. This golf club also provides a member’s bar, dining options and an impressive golf course that you can book online. Even if you’re not a golfer this is something new and fun for you to try out with the opportunity to become a member if interested! You can book for their Golf Society Days or check out other options available on their website.

Redbridge Central Library/ Redbridge Heritage Centre

This local library is great for studying and borrowing books. As well as the Redbridge Heritage Centre, which is run by the Redbridge Museum, it features a cafe, the Hardback Cafe, on the ground floor. This is home to the local archive and history in Redbridge, where you can also book a study space session to view any archives available here. Additionally the Library itself has computer and internet access, a virtual library and daily affordable events that you can explore on their website.

Mercato Metropolitano Ilford

One of the newest additions to Ilford and elevating the already impressive food scene is the Mercato Metropolitano Ilford, located near the Cineworld. Bringing a new range of cuisines, entertainment and space to socialise in, Mercato represents the importance of community within a great message of sustainability! They are open everyday of the week, with coffee and breakfast options available in the mornings, as well as closing late at midnight on Friday-Saturday and 11pm for the rest of the week. There are Halal options also available on the menus, and you can check out their website for any events taking place.

To find out more about Ilford, head to our neighbourhood guide 👈