Rural Life around 1870s

Rural Life around 1870s

For most of its history, Ilford Lane was a narrow country lane surrounded by farms and fields.

It was then known as ‘Barking Lane’ since Barking was the most important town in the area. An humorous description of Barking Lane in 1879 suggests its rural location and notes how stacks of manure were lined up to be used in the potato fields nearby:

‘Towards Ilford, then, we go along the Barking road [Ilford Lane]. The landscape scenery, might we linger to enjoy it, would doubtless charm us with something of idyllic beauty. All around us the peaceful aborigines of Ilford pursue their wonted toil. Their life's employ would seem to be the cartage of manure. This staple industry of modern Ilford engrosses all the rural population. They stack the precious tilth in massive banks along the road, and seem to grudge the narrow embrasure in the long unlovely parapet that leads to many a cottage. Such are the charms of the Ilford country in the month of June.’

Transactions of the Essex Field Club, Volume 1, 1880