One of the borough’s best loved landmarks has proved a hit with audiences of a BBC2 cookery show.

The producers of The Great British Bake Off have praised Valentines Mansion, Emerson Road, Ilford, as ‘the perfect backdrop’ after spending eight weeks there filming there.

The show’s second series was filmed entirely in the grounds of the Mansion this summer, and is broadcast weekly on Tuesdays at 8pm.

Melissa Brown, from Love productions, who made the eight-part series, said: “Valentines Mansion was the perfect place to film the second series as it offered so much. The house is beautiful and the well kept flower beds, surrounding gardens and park helped make a perfect backdrop for the ‘Bake Off’ marquee and filming.

“The accessibility to good transport links and the Gardener’s Cottage Caf� that served us unending great coffee to help through the long days was also a real bonus.”

The programme is hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, with the contestants’ baking challenges devised by legendary cookery writer Mary Berry and baker Paul Hollywood who are also on hand to judge and taste their efforts.

The series also featured a South Woodford bakery, Kistrucks, in George Lane, South Woodford.

Valentines Mansion is available for hire for a number of occasions including filming, weddings, functions and conferences. There will also soon be the opportunity to hire a marquee in the grounds of the Mansion.