Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, London RM8 3HT
Valence House Museum
Manor
Source image
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free admission
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2A surviving medieval manor house in Dagenham, with part of its moat still in place and galleries tracing the changing lives of the borough.
Valence House earns its place for the unusual combination of a surviving medieval manor, a remnant moat and a museum that brings local history into focus through objects such as the Dagenham Idol, whalebones and Fanshawe portraits. It is a history-led visit rather than a wild landscape escape.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapBecontree Avenue, Dagenham, London RM8 3HT
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The experience
Explore the historic house and galleries, look out for the Dagenham Idol and Fanshawe portraits, then take time in the gardens. The archive and tearoom add useful options, but check their current availability and hours.
Things to do
Explore the history of the manor
Visit the historic rooms and galleries in the timber-framed manor house, which Visit London describes as having begun in the 15th century.
Allow around 1–2 hours for a focused museum visit
Find the Dagenham Idol
Look for the Dagenham Idol, one of the objects singled out by the council as a museum highlight. The museum’s visit page also identifies it in the Great Parlour section of its virtual-tour chapter list.
Look for the Fanshawe portraits
See the Fanshawe family portraits, described by the council as one of Britain’s best collections of gentry portraits.
Step into the gardens
Explore the herb garden and the Second World War Dig for Victory garden, which includes a replica Anderson Shelter.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
The manor and its standout objects
- 01
Check the museum’s opening days and hours before setting out.
- 02
Explore the historic house and galleries, following the story of Barking and Dagenham.
- 03
Look for the Dagenham Idol, Fanshawe portraits and whalebones highlighted by the council.
- 04
If time allows, step into the gardens.
Half day · Allow up to 2–3 hours for the museum, with extra time for the grounds or tearoom
Make a half day of the house and grounds
- 01
Tour the museum’s galleries and historic rooms.
- 02
Look for the Dagenham Idol, the Fanshawe family portraits and the whalebones.
- 03
Explore the herb garden and the Dig for Victory garden, including its replica Anderson Shelter.
- 04
Finish with a visit to the Tulip Tree Tearoom, checking its current opening arrangements.
Verified history
Valence House is identified by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham as Dagenham’s only surviving manor house; the council says it dates to medieval times and remains partly surrounded by a moat. Visit London describes the timber-framed house as begun in the 15th century. The museum’s collections and galleries tell the history of Barking and Dagenham and its people. The council highlights the Dagenham Idol, whalebones believed to be from a Common Greenland Whale and a notable collection of Fanshawe family portraits.
Hidden details
The moat is still part of the setting — Look for the surviving moat around part of the house: it is a visible reminder of the manor’s historic setting.
The Dig for Victory garden — The garden includes a replica Anderson Shelter, connecting the site’s outdoor space with its Second World War theme.
A local collection beyond the house itself — The archives and Local Studies Centre hold records relating to the borough and its predecessor authorities dating back to 1558, according to the council.
When to go
· Choose an open day and check the current hours; arrive with the 12pm–1pm museum-building closure in mind.
The museum and historic interiors make this a year-round visit. The garden is an additional outdoor element, but the supplied sources do not establish a particular peak season.
The house and galleries provide an indoor visit; garden time is weather-dependent. No specific weather restrictions were supplied.
What to look for
- 01
The surviving section of moat
- 02
the Dagenham Idol
- 03
the Fanshawe family portraits
- 04
the whalebones identified by the council as believed to come from a Common Greenland Whale
- 05
the herb garden and the Dig for Victory garden with its replica Anderson Shelter.
The story
Medieval manor; local history; archaeology; the Fanshawe family; Barking and Dagenham
Best time to go
Year-round; check opening days and any event arrangements before visiting.
Visit on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday, when the museum is scheduled to open. The building closes for lunch from 12pm–1pm; the grounds, tearoom, shop, toilets and archives are stated to remain open during that hour, with a different Saturday archive lunch closure.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10am-12pm, 1-4pm
- Wednesday: 10am-12pm, 1-4pm
- Thursday: 10am-12pm, 1-4pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 10am-12pm, 1-4pm
- Sunday: Closed
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The museum is open to visitors Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm, and closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. The museum building closes from 12pm–1pm each day. Admission is free; some events may be ticketed. Check the museum website before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The museum says free parking is available in Valence Park and on Becontree Avenue. Blue Badge parking is available at the delivery entrance at the end of Margery Road, off Bonham Road. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets are listed among the site facilities. The museum website says toilets remain open during the museum’s 12pm–1pm lunch closure.
Food & drink
The Tulip Tree Tearoom serves drinks, cakes and light meals. The council states it is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm; check current details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check with the museum before bringing a dog; no dog policy was verified.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied listing data identifies a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and toilet. Check the museum’s current access information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free admission; some events may be ticketed
Water
Moat
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Valence House Museum
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
