Gants Hill: A Suburb with a Fascinating History

Gants Hill is a suburb of Ilford in East London, within the borough of Redbridge. It is a popular residential area with various shops, restaurants, bars and a hotel. But did you know that Gants Hill has a fascinating history that dates back to medieval times? In this blog post, we will explore some of the historical aspects of Gants Hill and how it has changed over the years.

The Origin of the Name

One of the first questions that might come to mind when you hear the name Gants Hill is: where does it come from? There are two possible explanations for the origin of the name. One is that it derives from a medieval family who were stewards of a nearby abbey. The name appears as early as the 13th century in historical records. Another theory is that the name comes from flying insects that inhabited the swampy area before a local landowner drained it in the early 19th century. The name was later changed due to a printing error or religious discrimination.

The Development of the Area

Gants Hill was a small settlement on the main road from London to Colchester, Chelmsford and Norwich. It became a crossroads for travellers and day-tripping Victorians who cycled from East London to the nearby Epping Forest. The area was primarily rural until the early 20th century when urban development began to transform the farmland into a commuter suburb. The construction of a major road in the mid-1920s created a junction at Gants Hill, where shops, offices, banks, a cinema and a tube station were built.

The famous Gants Hill roundabout first appeared around 1928; the underground station was built underneath in the 1930s as part of the Central Line extension. The station was designed by a famous architect and inspired by Moscow’s Metro stations. The station was used as an air-raid shelter and a munitions factory during World War II and was completed by London Underground in 1947.

Odeon Cinema

The Gants Hill Odeon was a cinema that stood for 69 years near the Gants Hill roundabout. It opened in 1934 as the Savoy Cinema and was designed by George Coles. It had a large stage, a restaurant and a seating capacity of 1726. It was taken over by the Odeon chain in 1949 and converted into a three-screen cinema in 1981.

It also served as a place of worship for the Jewish community on the High Holy Days from 1959 to 1981. The Odeon closed in 2002 and was demolished in 2003 to make way for flats. The Odeon was a landmark of Gants Hill and a part of its cultural history.

The Cultural Aspects of Gants Hill

Gants Hill has been home to many famous faces, including singers, actors, athletes, cricketers and boxers. The area also has a rich cultural diversity, with residents from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Gants Hill hosts several places of worship, such as churches, mosques and temples. The area also has a vibrant nightlife scene, with pubs, bars and nightclubs such as Faces, which featured in a reality TV show.

The Future of Gants Hill

Gants Hill is a suburb that has seen many changes over the years but still retains its historical charm and character. The area has recently been renovated to improve its appearance and accessibility, such as new pedestrian crossings around the roundabout, new floor tiles, and coloured banding on the subways. The renovation project was funded by Transport for London and completed in 2010 with a visit from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Gants Hill will also have its first photographic history book published in May 2023 by two local authors, showcasing over 180 carefully selected photographs and the area’s history.

“Gants Hill – A History In Photographs” is published by The History Press, and will be available from May 4th 2023 on Amazon,

Gants Hill is a suburb that has a lot to offer to its residents and visitors alike. It is a place that combines history, culture and modernity uniquely.