A populated place on the territory of modern Otradnoye was first mentioned in 1708 as a village of Ivanovskaya at the confluence of the Neva and the Tosna Rivers. In 1784, the land was acquired by empress Catherine the Great and a residence known as Pella estate was established. The estate was mostly destroyed on the orders of Paul I. In the 19th century, the area was a part of Shlisselburgsky Uyezd of Saint Petersburg Governorate. On February 14, 1923, Shlisselburgsky Uyezd was merged into Petrogradsky Uyezd. In January 1924, the uyezd was renamed Leningradsky. On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished and Mginsky District, with the administrative center in the settlement of Mga, was established. Ivanovskoye became a part of Mginsky District. The governorates were also abolished and the district became a part of Leningrad Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. On August 15, 1930, the okrugs were abolished as well and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On June 16, 1940, the settlement of Otradnoye was granted urban-type settlement status. Between September 1941 and January 1944, during World War II, both Ivanovskoye and Otradnoye were occupied by German troops. On December 23, 1957, the selo of Ivanovskoye was granted urban-type settlement status. On December 9, 1960, Mginsky District was abolished and split between Volkhovsky and Tosnensky Districts; Ivanovskoye remained in Tosnensky District. The modern town of Otradnoye was established in 1970 by merging of the urban-type settlements of Otradnoye and Ivanovskoye. On April 1, 1977, Kirovsky District with the administrative center in Kirovsk, essentially in the limits of former Mginsky District, was established by splitting off Volkhovsky and Tosnensky Districts, and Otradnoye was included into the district.
There are several industrial enterprises in Otradnoye. The Pella plant produces different sorts of machines including riverboats. Other enterprises produce electrotechnical equipment.
Transportation
A railway leading from St. Petersburg to Volkhov passes through the town; there are two passenger platforms within town limits: Ivanovskaya and Pella. Otradnoye is connected by roads with St. Petersburg, Kirovsk, and Ulyanovka. The Neva River is navigable.
Culture and recreation
Otradnoye contains two cultural heritage monuments of federal significance and additionally four objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance. The federal monuments are the buildings of the post station of Pella, whereas the local monuments commemorate the events of World War II.
