alentines Mansion in Ilford, Essex, was built in 1696 and is Grade ll* listed. A family home until 1906, it was acquired by the local council, and from 1994 was unoccupied and falling into disrepair. Friends of Valentines Mansion was established in 2000 and campaigned for the house to be restored and opened to the public. This was achieved with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant match-funded by London
