To seek outside entertainment or a lovely countryside pub near Ilford, Gants hill, Barkingside?

[Searchingforthelight]

We have relatives coming from abroad, who are staying in a friend's flat near the above areas for a visit ( we are only one of quite a few people they are planning to catch up with)

So we don't know the area at all, and neither do they! But we will travel to them to see them, and wonder if there are any recommended nice places to walk around, or if it's raining, nice pubs/inns to visit for a drink. We have already found a restaurant for an evening meal.

But just to break up the day, so we are not all sitting in the flat they are staying in for the duration of the visit. They have twin 8 year olds who will likely need a change of scene over the course of the day also.

Thanks if anyone has any ideas or recommendations!

Wanstead Park is excellent for a walk, it's a part of Epping Forest. That would be my favourite place. There's also actual Epping Forest if you've got cars.

Valentines Park is fine and has a decent playground but it's a park (mowed lawns, flowerbeds) rather than countryside.

I would also go to Wanstead and further west (Leytonstone, Walthamstow) for pubs. The ones around where you've mentioned are not characterful country inns, they're just local boozers. I like The Nightingale in Wanstead. Again, Epping Forest has some more country-feeling pubs, but it's a (short) car journey.

Fairlop Waters and Hainault Forest Country park are a little bit further on from the Barkingside end (away from Gants Hill & Ilford- north-east). Hainault in particular is great for a walk and has a mini farm & playground, as well as a walk through yet another section of Epping Forest.

Lambourne End on the edge of Hainault Forest has a village pub called The Two Brewers and a lovely Miller and Carter further along.

Try the "London Pubs" Facebook page. They can usually come up with some first rate suggestions.