Ilford Hotels

Visiting Ilford

Hotels in Ilford are ideal for those who want to be close to all of London’s many and varied attractions, but away from the crowds. They are also usually slightly less expensive than staying in most central London hotels.

A district of east London, Ilford is steeped in history. A Roman road runs through the centre of Ilford, and it is said that the warrior queen Boadicea once rode her chariot along it. Another short-term visitor in the past was the wife of Dick Turpin, the infamous highwayman.

Advantageously for travellers, Ilford hotels boast very convenient transport connections. There are several tube stations nearby, meaning that you can reach popular destinations including St Paul’s, Covent Garden and Waterloo in under 30 minutes. Stansted International Airport is just a half hour away by road, while you can also reach Heathrow International Airport and Gatwick International Airport in under a hour. If you’re intending to visit the spectacular Olympic Stadium while in London, then you can be in Stratford in less than 10 minutes.

With its mixed population, Ilford has a wonderfully diverse culinary scene, and there are also many excellent chain restaurants, pubs and cultural attractions to be enjoyed in the close vicinity.

Hotels in Ilford

You have plenty of choice available to you when it comes to booking a hotel in Ilford. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel that provides reliable childcare facilities, a business hotel with meeting rooms for hire, or even spa hotels where you can get pampered after a hard day of sightseeing, there are many great value hotels in Ilford from which to choose.

Many of the most popular hotels Ilford has to offer are situated within easy walking distance of tube stations, so that guests can get into central London quickly. Other Ilford hotels have complimentary parking available, which can be useful if you have decided to rent a car in London.

Things to see and do near Ilford

When you book a hotel in Ilford, the bright lights of London are, if not on your doorstep, at least not too far away. One of the world’s most visited capital cities, London is packed full of entertaining attractions whether you’re interested in culture, history, adrenaline or cuisine.

At the Tower of London, which is a 45-minute journey from Ilford, you can meet the Beefeaters who guard the priceless Crown Jewels, learn the story behind the resident ravens, and discover the famous prisoners kept at the tower throughout history, such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes and Anne Boleyn.

Less than half an hour on the tube from Ilford, Waterloo station is where you need to be if you want to take a spin on the incredible London Eye, one of the city’s most popular and breathtaking attractions. The views across London from the glass-panelled capsules are nothing short of sensational.

Football fans might want to head over to the Emirates Stadium, a 40-minute drive from Ilford. You can take a tour of the Emirates, going behind the scenes to see the home and away changing rooms, the players’ tunnel and even the directors’ box, as well as an impressive collection of silverware. An unmissable excursion for Arsenal fans.

For the best views of some of London’s most impressive architecture, including the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, a cruise on the Thames river offers sightseeing at a more relaxed pace away from all the crowds. Always a popular activity when in London, many cruises provide refreshments aboard and a fascinating audio commentary.

Another memorable London excursion is the Changing of the Guard ceremony in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, which takes places every day at 11.30 am during the summer. Arrive early to get the best view.

At the Natural History Museum in Kensington, a little over an hour from most Ilford hotels, you can see among many other breathtaking exhibits the only complete skull of a mammoth ever discovered in the UK. You might be interested to learn that it was unearthed in Ilford.

For evening entertainment, you’re spoiled for choice in London, but many visitors will decide to take in at least one West End show while they’re in town. Some of the world’s best musicals, plays and other extravaganzas have matinee and evening performances every day.

Of course, London has many beautiful parks and other green spaces to enjoy should you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a little while, but one of the largest and most famous, Epping Forest, is just 20 minutes away from most hotels in Ilford. This vast swathe of ancient woodland, crisscrossed with walking and cycling paths, has inspired artists and writers for generations. Fallow deer, birds of prey and squirrels can commonly be seen.

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