Valentines Park Forest Garden
We are at our lovely Forest Garden every Friday morning from 10 until 12pm and these are open to everyone.
We are situated by the Brisbane Road entrance – here’s the map. In the School holidays we usually run family activities – please keep an eye on Socials or this web page
What is the Forest Garden?
The Forest Garden in Valentines Park, Ilford, is a thriving permaculture space created and cared for by volunteers from Transition Town Ilford.
It’s a space to:
- Grow food in harmony with nature
- Support biodiversity and climate resilience
- Rest, play, and connect with nature
- Learn, create, and gather as a community
Once an underused corner of the park, since 2020 it’s blossomed into a much-loved part of local life — for walkers, picnickers, school groups, artists, and anyone looking to slow down and enjoy nature.
The Forest Garden is our outdoor community centre!
How You Can Get Involved
Everyone’s welcome — whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just curious.
- Weekly Gardening Sessions – Every Friday, 10am–12pm
- Occasional Weekend Workdays – Follow us on socials for dates
- Community Events – Held during half terms and school holidays
- School or Group Visits – Contact us to chat about the best times, resources, and group guidelines
In 2024 alone, over 1,300 child hours were spent learning and playing in the garden!
The Garden in Action
Our Forest Garden is designed like a woodland edge — with layers of fruit trees, shrubs, perennial vegetables, and herbs planted in “guilds” that support each other and the soil. We use natural materials like cardboard, woodchip, and logs, and design with shade and drought in mind.
We’re currently developing a butterfly wildlife area right next to the garden!
Once established, the garden will be low-maintenance and even more welcoming to local wildlife and visitors.
We’ve hosted:
- Forest School sessions with Seven Kings Primary and home education groups
- Birdwatching and bat surveys
- Live performances, art workshops, and seasonal festivals
- And much more!
Watch our Forest Garden videos on YouTube
