Valence House Museum
About This Museum
It's a rare thing to find a medieval moated manor house in the heart of a London borough, yet that's precisely what Valence House is. This isn't some reconstructed fantasy; it's the real deal, sitting serenely within its own gardens as it has for centuries. Inside, the atmosphere is intimate and personal, a world away from the sterile halls of larger museums. You get the distinct feeling of walking through a lived-in family home, one with stories embedded in its very timbers.
Collection Highlights
The collections tell the intertwined story of people and place, from prehistoric finds dug up locally to displays on Dagenham's rural past and its explosive growth into a docklands powerhouse. The real treasure, though, is the series of portraits featuring the families who actually lived here, connecting faces directly to these ancient walls.
Visitor Information
Tucked away on Becontree Avenue in Dagenham, it feels like a wonderful secret. Best of all? Entry is completely free, making it an easy and rewarding detour.
Architecture & Building
A charmingly asymmetrical manor house built around a central courtyard, all surrounded by a tranquil moat that gives it a storybook quality.
Contact & Location
Address: Becontree Avenue, Valence Avenue, Becontree, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, London, Greater London, England, RM8 3RD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 8227 2034
Website: Visit Website
