Museum, History and Culture

Information on local museums, history, culture and events

Enjoy a fantastic day out with your own great company or with family, friends and local groups by exploring local culture and history in Barking and Dagenham! 

Eastbury Manor House, a National Trust site managed by Barking and Dagenham Council, is one of London’s last remaining Tudor houses. This ‘Hampton Court of the East’ is Visit England accredited. Discover its fascinating 460-year history by exploring its exhibitions and displays, or just pop in to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the beautiful surroundings of the kitchen herb garden. 

The moated Valence House Museum dates from medieval times. Visit the museum galleries to find out more about the history of the house and Barking and Dagenham’s heritage, view some fine portraits of the Fanshawe family, or visit their tranquil gardens and tearoom. Dig deeper into your own family history or research a Barking and Dagenham’s rich and varied past in the Archive and Local Studies Centre on site. 

Barking Abbey was founded in c.666 AD. The only surviving buildings from this religious complex are the Curfew Tower and St Margaret’s Church. 

The Abbey buildings were demolished shortly after 1541. During its long history, Barking Abbey was one of the most powerful female religious communities in England and a centre of learning and creativity. The Abbey sits on the edge of Barking town centre’s burgeoning ‘cultural quarter’ – encompassing the historic Icehouse Quarter, the Broadway Theatre, the Galleon Arts Centre and the borough’s new Women’s Museum, providing an inclusive space with exhibitions and events dedicated to the stories of women, girls and allies.

You can unlock your own creativity at these and other venues in the borough – from the dance and drama programmes at the Galleon Arts Centre; to the local radio platform Becontree Broadcasting Station, with support to develop your own radio show; to Pen to Print, working across the borough’s libraries to deliver events, classes and workshops to support aspiring writers.    

Click on the links below for more information about these programmes and places:

Eastbury Manor House

Information on Eastbury Manor House including opening times.

Valence House Museum

Information on Valence House Museum.

Barking Abbey Ruins

Information on Barking Abbey Ruins.

Heritage events and collections

Information on how to access heritage collections including archive footage.

School trips

Information for schools on what school trips are available at Eastbury Manor House and Valance House.

Venue hire

Information on hiring Eastbury Manor House and Valence House for events and celebrations.

Local archive and history information

Information on archives and history collections in Barking and Dagenham.

Galleon Arts Centre

Information on programmes and events at the Galleon Arts Centre

Women’s Museum 

Information on opening times, exhibitions and events at the Women’s Museum

Pen to Print

Information on how to join our growing community of writers and artists.

Becontree Forever

Information about our programme of art and culture celebrating the Becontree estate – including the Becontree Broadcasting Station – and digital access to a large portion of the Becontree estate archive.