Valence House Museum

Valence House Museum stands in Valence Park, a 27.82-acre green space in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The timber-framed manor house sits partly surrounded by a moat once used to keep livestock. The building has served as a family home, town hall, library headquarters and now a museum. A Holm oak in the park is one of the Great Trees of London. The house first appeared in the 13th century and took its name from Agnes de Valence and her brother Aylmer, Earl of Pembroke. The museum holds permanent displays on local history, including items from the 1945 Becontree Estate. A new archive and local studies centre opened after a Heritage Lottery Fund refurbishment. In 2018 a special exhibition featured restored models from the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation collection. The exhibition was inspired by Alan Friswell, who worked with Ray Harryhausen on the restorations. The house became Grade II* listed in 1954. Visitors find the museum’s permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions in the old manor. The surrounding park offers paths through mature trees and open grass. The new archive building houses the Borough Archives and Local Studies Library. The moat is being repaired with National Lottery Heritage Fund support. The house’s history is reflected in road names around the park.