Valence House Museum
With a National Art Pass you get
Dating back to medieval times, Valence House is the only surviving of the five manor houses that existed in what is now the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Standing in the delightful setting of Valence Park, the timber framed building, which is still partially surrounded by a moat dug over 700 years ago, now hosts the local history museum for Barking & Dagenham.
Explore the collection
Valence House exhibits selections from more than 20,000 objects that tell the story of the borough through the ages, from the Prehistoric to the modern day. Ranging from whalebones and archaeological material to a rare wall-painting thought to date from 1600. There are plenty of interactive exhibits and a cinema room to watch archive films.
Period rooms
Step back in time as you wander through the beautifully restored rooms of Valence House. Discover the history of the manor and see more than 70 portraits of various members of the Fanshawe family, who resided there in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Garden and grounds
Enjoy the tranquil gardens, and partial moat, surrounding the building which have achieved the prestigious Green Flag and London in Bloom awards. Visit the restored Herb Garden, with green pergola, box hedging and formal beds of roses and herbs. You will also find a World War Two ‘Dig for Victory’ Garden, complete with replica Anderson Shelter.
Events and activities
Valence House Museum hosts special events, talks, workshops, and exhibitions throughout the year.
Time to spare? You might like to visit the nearby Eastbury Manor House, an Elizabethan gentry house with a fascinating history.
Visitor information
Address
Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, London, RM8 3HT
020 8227 2034
Opening times
Valence House is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Museum: 10am—4pm (closed 12pm—1pm)
Local Studies Centre: 10am—4pm
Visitor Centre and grounds: 10am—4.30pm
Please note we are closed Monday, Friday and Sunday.
Visitor information
Museums nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.