Having fun: 1800s - 1900s

Having fun: 1800s - 1900s

Ilford’s first swimming pool and public baths were built off Roden Street, to the west of Ilford Lane, in 1894.

It was one of the first facilities provided by the newly formed Ilford Urban District Council. Its water was originally drawn from a natural well but it was soon connected to the mains water supply. It was closed when new swimming baths were opened on the High Road in 1931.

Uphall Recreation Ground (originally called Loxford Recreation Ground) opened in 1908 on what had once been part of the Uphall brickfield.

Loxford Park opened in 1932 on what had been part of the Loxford Hall estate.

Ilford Hippodrome

Redbridge Heritage Centre p6471

The Ilford Hippodrome variety theatre stood on the corner of Ilford Lane and Ilford Broadway. Opened in 1909, it was a symbol of Ilford’s growing population. Up to 3000 customers watched singers, musicians, dancers, comedians, actors, and acrobats. It was badly damaged by a V2 rocket attack on 12 January 1945 during the Second World War and was demolished in 1957 and replaced by shops and offices.

Empire Kinema

Cinema Treasures

This cinema opened in April 1913 at 22 Ilford Lane. On 17 September 1940, the Empire was hit by a German incendiary bomb and lay derelict for much of the war, despite being requisitioned by the Ministry of Aircraft Production. In April 1945, Ilford Limited, whose factory backed onto the cinema, successfully submitted plans to build huts on the cleared site. The whole area was swept away when Winston Way was built in 1984.