Have you ever walked down Castleview Gardens in Ilford, but never seen a castle?
This building in the picture, known as Ilford Castle or Cranbrook Castle, was built by Sir Charles Raymond of Valentines as a mausoleum for his family but never used as such.
Charles Raymond lived at Valentines with his wife Sarah and three daughters, Sophia, Juliana and Anna Maria from 1754-1788. Readers may not realise that following the death of his wife Sarah in 1778, Charles Raymond moved from Valentine House to live for another ten years at another property on his estate, Highlands House, where he had built the mausoleum.
When he himself died, on 24th August 1788 at his home at Highlands, the mausoleum had never been consecrated and so it was not used. After being a landmark in the area for over 135 years, it was demolished in 1923!
The nearby Cranbrook Castle Tennis Club still bears its name, and stories are still told today of when the castle was demolished exactly one hundred years ago!
Do you or did you go to Cranbrook School? If so, your school is built where the castle used to stand!
If you have not yet entered our poetry competition, and are in Year 5 or 6, there is still time. The deadline is April 30th.
Does this give you an idea for a poem?
It looks like the castle had three sides. What do you think? What must the castle have been like inside? Let your imagination flow!
Apparently there is a castle just like this, where you can book to stay on holiday! We don’t think there’s a lift to the top floor! What do you think? Would you like to stay in a castle like this?
It perhaps seems a shame the castle is no longer there, but there is now a great school and also a fantastic youth and sports club on the site: Frenford Club.
Friends Of Valentines Mansion 