Once a coaching town and a small rural settlement in Essex, Ilford is now often known for its commercial and retail centre but there’s also an extensive residential population and actually more to do here than you might think. Having grown up in Ilford, I’ve seen many changes first-hand. Sadly, however, I wasn’t alive in 1860 when the only complete mammoth skull in the UK was excavated in our town but I have been to the Boots chemist on High Road where it was found! Well, it wasn’t a Boots at the time of course and the skull is on display at the National History Museum now rather than next to the shampoos but still…
We have even more interesting historical facts to discover here in Ilford, back to the Iron Age and then Roman times and we were even on the important road betwixt London and Colchester. You wouldn’t believe the variety of industries Ilford has featured over the years, from brickworks, cement works to coal, and paper, steam laundries, to collar making, to the railway business and of course photography, with Ilford Photo being founded here. And then there’s the fact that John Logie Baird moved to Ilford in the 1920s to work on his new invention – the television!
If that’s not enough tidbits to make you think twice about Ilford, how about the fantastic diversity of restaurants, cafes, and pubs that we have in the area? If you fancy a posh meal or a quick coffee, there’s an array of options to suit every pocket and funnily enough, here at The Spitting Pig, we have that same idea…
We have perfected hog and spit roasting over many years now but you may be surprised to learn that we can also provide much more for your party or event. You may be planning a formal, sit-down wedding reception or corporate event at the Coliseum Suite with champagne and canapés to start, then several courses, including our hugely popular centrepiece hog roast and a scrumptious homemade dessert to finish it all off. We can not only provide all this if needed but at the other end of the scale, you can ask us to cater with our simple but highly tasty pigs in buns in your back garden. We also offer additional options for those guests with dietary requirements and can even help you to create your own bespoke menu.
Whatever you’re planning in Ilford or nearby, give us a try. You won’t regret it, just like you won’t regret learning more about our fascinating town!
Hog Roast London
