Ilford Circular Walk via the River Roding and Valentines Park

A bright sunny Saturday morning, on 8th March 2025 - just perfect for a nice local walk. I arrived at Ilford station, to find only Parviz was there. However, several of the others had already arrived and were in the coffee shop opposite and so I joined them for a while, awaiting the arrival of the last few people. Eventually everyone arrived and we had an impressive 11 people (myself, Annick, Peter, Cathy, Richard, Jill S, Louise, Lynne, Madeleine, Parviz and Paul) and we headed off towards Manor Park.

Walking along the High Road we crossed over the river Roding, stopping to watch a heron which was busying itself beside the river, enjoying the fine weather. We continued along the road before turning right to the Roding Valley Way, via an unlikely looking alley to access the route, and followed it north between the City of London cemetery and the River Roding itself, passing some allotments on the right.

After a while we reached a clearing and a path junction, with the left turn leading to Wanstead Park, where Peter and Annick departed for Wanstead Flats, whilst the rest of us turned right and continued along the path, with the river and Wanstead Park now on our left. Discussing the recently released beavers, we wondered if someone could release some here to dam up the Roding and restore water to the park’s sadly now dry ponds. Eventually the path turned right, away from the river and we followed it heading towards the North Circular Road and Redbridge Roundabout.

Turning right at the roundabout we then wandered along pleasant residential streets to emerge onto Cranbrook Road and enter Valentines Park. Passing the park’s lakes we noticed that herons appeared to be occupying one of their nests from last year, so maybe we’ll get another clutch of chicks to watch. We then followed the little stream, (I think it’s called the Tanners Brook) pausing at the bird feeding area to admire the spring flowers brightening up the area, down to the cafe where we called in for some well deserved refreshment.

Suitably refreshed, we then walked along the side of the boating lake to exit the park opposite The Drive, and some people headed for the nearby bus stops whilst the others returned to Ilford Station, a round trip of about 5¼ miles, to continue their homeward journey. A very nice sunny walk, I didn’t have to worry about getting lost and we had a good turnout. Many thanks to all those who came.

Trev Eley,  11th March 2025