Description
Ilford Burial Board, established in 1880, laid out Buckingham Road Cemetery as an extension of the burial ground of St Mary the Virgin Great Ilford and initially the cemetery was known as Great Ilford Cemetery. It had its own chapel, due to be demolished by early 2011, and the first burial took place on 4 September 1881. A memorial near the entrance commemorates Sir Peter Griggs, the 1st MP for Ilford, who died in 1920, his monument surmounted by an angel. The cemetery has notable limes, particularly on its south side with C19th railings on the west boundary.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Great Ilford Cemetery |
|---|---|
| Site location | Buckingham Road, Ilford |
| Postcode | IG1 1RE |
| What3Words | ///forest.expose.dame |
| Type of Site | Cemetery |
| Borough | Redbridge |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Mon - Fri 7.30am-4.30pm/Sat 9am-4.30pm/Sun, Bank Holidays 10am-4.30pm |
| Public Transport | Rail: Seven Kings. Bus: 86 |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Ilford Burial Board, established in 1880, laid out Buckingham Road Cemetery as an extension of the burial ground of St Mary's Great Ilford (q.v.) and it has its own chapel. Then known as Great Ilford Cemetery, the first burial was on 4 September 1881. Headstones, graves and monuments are set in gravel and cinders. The cemetery has notable limes, particularly on its south side with C19th railings on the west boundary; a concrete slat fence to the south. C19th brick wall separates the cemetery and St Mary's adjacent churchyard with a gate, also C19th, providing access. In the cemetery is a memorial to Sir Peter Griggs, the 1st MP for Ilford, who died in 1920, the monument is surmounted by an angel, and is near the Buckingham Road entrance to the cemetery. Tarmac paths run through the site. The chapel is closed and boarded up and scheduled for demolition late 2010 / early 2011. The cemetery is now managed and maintained by the Westerleigh Group, along with LB Redbridge's other cemeteries and 4 closed churchyards.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ448867 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Redbridge |
| Site Management | Cemeteries Office; management by Westerleigh Group from Forest Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Hainault. |
| Dates | 1881 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Redbridge |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeology Priority Area |
| Other LA Designation | Local Open Space |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The building of a new parish church at Ilford was under discussion in 1823 although the division of the parish of Barking was first proposed in 1650. Due to strong opposition it did not get built until 1830 when the new ecclesiastical parish of Great Ilford was created by Order in Council. The parish churchyard of St Mary the Virgin Great Ilford is now closed to new burials, but has a moderate collection of early C19th headstones and some fine lime trees. In 1863 the Vicar's wish to extend the churchyard was opposed by some parishioners. Today it adjoins Buckingham Road Cemetery, established by Ilford Burial Board in 1881 and originally known as Great Ilford Cemetery.
South Park was created following Ilford Council's purchase of 32 acres of Loxford Hall Estate in 1899 and opened in 1902. It contains a large lake with several islands, formed by diverting water from Loxford Water, part of Seven Kings Brook, and the landscape has mature trees including oak, beech, lime and horse chestnut. Facilities provided included tennis courts and a bowling green with pavilion, used by Clementswood Bowling Club. The site of the bandstand remains marked by hedging and a tarmac path skirts the perimeter of the park. In 1923 the Broadway Clocktower was erected in the park, but destroyed by a WWII bomb in 1944.
Seven Kings (United) Methodist Church originated in 1903 as a Society of the United Methodist Free church, services first being held in the Central Hall. The red brick church designed by George Baines & Son, has a circular spire. It opened in 1905 and was later enlarged in 1923. One of the leading members of this church was A E Williams, secretary and biographer of Dr Barnardo. The church stands in a triangular landscaped site on sloping ground surrounded by iron railings and hedging separating it from the roads or footpath at the back. The side door to the church on Seven Kings Road is reached by a cantilevered path over the steep slope of the garden.The church garden has an avenue of trees flanking the path from the gate at the apex of the triangle to the main entrance at the junction of Balmoral Gardens and Seven Kings Road. Planting includes silver birch, holly and pine trees, and shrubs including yucca at the side slopes.