Interesting information about local history and people associated with the area including footballers, Gandhi etc. Took us a couple of hours but then we read a lot of the information. I found the maps showing the settlements and roads good value. The recordings of workers in the area also good.

What a lovely museum tucked away in Valance Park. I cant believe ive been in Barking for 5 years a missed this. Definitely worth visiting with children, I would say give atleast 2 hours. There is a lovely Cafe as well and a Museum shop. The House itself has several rooms to explore and the day we went they had a young persons adventure trail which included questions on each room so it got the kids really intrested!! I am coming back here for sure!

Well maintained and a lot of interactive history. Really cool considering it's free and there's even free parking at the park's car park. Went on a Sunday afternoon and there were some dodgy people driving their cars in laps around the car park even with lots of families with children around though so that was a bit dodgy - be careful!

I had a great time walking through a beautiful building hosting many items depicting the ages. From the early settlers, the monarchy, and the rise and fall of the abbots by king Henry VIII to owners of the house from the 1920's onward. Did you know that Mahatma Gandhi visited the place? A showcase of cultural diversity through modern times and the importance of the Ford motor company has had on the local community in Dagenham. The staff were courteous and considerate throughout our visit. Some events occur all year round, so pick up the event's pamphlet. Well worth a few stops as there is so much to see and experience. I should also mention they have a modern-day cafeteria and indoor and outdoor seating, well-kept sanitary toilets, and a souvenir shop to boot. Valence House has open-air gardens that have loads of seating and a place for tranquility. Parking is found at the Valence Park entrance leading to Valence House. I shall visit again.

A little known, tucked away museum but well worth visiting. Two floors of high quality, informative displays on local history, a variety of activities for young children and good on-site facilities including a cafe.

Free and great to visit for kids and anyone in general. Who knew that Barking had so much history?

Small Manor house Museum with garden and tea room. Had summer Market today in the grounds 26th August 2023.

Valence house is a very charming and beautifully curated local museum. It has extremely interesting exhibitions and artefacts, and the house itself is fascinating- I especially loved the recently discovered 16th century wall painting! The staff are also incredibly friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. A really lovely day out!

Love this place. My kids enjoy going here. It’s opposite to a cafe and behind it is a library. Also next to a playground. To very child friendly. Clean cafe. Friendly and helpful.

A nice place to visit, staff are very friendly. If your visiting Valence park pop into Valence House to see the history of Dagenham.

I love it because its very good park with many activity for children and families. Museum, Farm with animals, lovely plants ,Lake with ducks, Swan and fishing men and also swings. Xx

Visited here with my mum who is in wheelchair & the lady who was working there couldn't have been more helpful. There is a slope to enter & enough room in all the rooms to move around easily & lift to take you upstairs. So much information about the local area & can listen to people's stories off when they were sent away in the war. Great place to visit

Great place to meet friends and to attend local activities and learn one or two craft making skills for all abilities. It has a real family atmosphere run and created entirely by volunteers who have a huge passion to include everybody in their warmly extended welcome. I have enjoyed a cocktail making evening, learnt how to make a Christmas wreath, which adapts to suit other seasonal occasions. Quiz afternoons are also very competitive supplied with tea and homemade cakes. Raffles are regular sources of fund raising to assist overheads. I am frequently amazed by the beautiful grounds, fishing lake and vegetable herb garden. It is a joy to visit and explore.

Nice mini museum Tidy and well arranged Was a nice experience

We have been here a few times now and it has always been amazing! Great place for children, but not only. The art sessions are very well organised, creative, interesting and fun for the children. Staff members are very helpful, friendly and polite. Always a pleasure to go to Valence House.

Fascinating insights into the local history and notable figures connected to the region, including footballers and the impactful presence of Gandhi, captivated our attention for a couple of hours. We delved into a wealth of information, appreciating the value provided by detailed maps illustrating settlements and roads. The recorded narratives of workers in the area further enriched our experience, adding depth and context to the historical tapestry.

A small but fascinating museum about life in Becontree. On the same site as the library where we saw a mother helping her daughter with her learning and others using the computers. There is a small cafe in a separate building with good food and drinks; the museum attendant explained that they had to keep food prices very reasonable for people in the community who come to use the grounds for free. This part of London was very different from Ealing where we live but very accessible using the Elizabeth Line. Museum entry is free. Not at all crowded; there were two families in the afternoon with booklets for children.

I've been visiting Valence House for years and can not stop dropping in to the cafe, herb garden and Valence House itself. Such a calm, peaceful historic place with great surroundings. Everyone there is so wonderful and friendly to talk to. Went to my first event the other night and by far the best evening I've had. Brilliantly organised and lots of fun. Well worth the ticket. Well worth the visit. I shall continue to keep coming back.

Good place for local history through the ages,.good for.educational stuff for kids. Nice little cafe too

The Tea house, the grounds, the museum PLUS the events/classes are incredible. This is my fave discovery as a mum of young boys (8yo, 5yo) this year.

Really good very interesting. Well thought out people very nice definitely will do it again ,

I went to the cafe while my family did an activity their drinks were quite nice. When we were being served our drinks the lady who was working that day was quite rude and kept shouting at us.

Well worth a visit. Great local history very well maintained.

Awesomme highly recommend this place

I went with my 9 year old granddaughter for a Cupcake decorating event.. first time been there and was very impressed with all the up coming events they have going on.. they have a shop where you can buy souvenirs and also a tearoom cafe .. will definitely be going again...

Located in Valence Park this is a beautiful old house which has been reimagined as a local museum full of lots of information about the local area

Very lovely place. You can discover history of Dagenham and Barking area

Lovely little hidden jem and even better for a paranormal investigation with a wonderful team called Spectral Hunters.

Was bit sad to find this has been modernised to the max, last time I visited (quite some years ago) it was much more atmospheric with an eclectic collection. Now it's mostly white walls inside and a more limited collection with a focus on recent history. Not so many lovely old portraits scattered about, now there are a few in one room. I managed to walk through the whole place in about 30 mins. Cafe in the grounds is nice but has also been given the modern treatment and modern prices lol.

Lovely friendly plac4 x

Very enjoyable.

Have lived in this area for over 10 years and never had visited this place until recently at a fun day in memory of a gentleman who I believe worked there called frank (RIP). Was so impressed and couldn’t believe it had taken so long to visit such a lovely place! The staff were so friendly and welcoming and made the visit very enjoyable! Hope to come back to visit again soon x

Small local museum, great for an educational visit, find out about local history and fact about barking and dagenham that you never new about.

Really lovely museum. I went today to look up some archive material. All the staff were so helpful (especially the lady in the archive department). The cafe food was lovely and really reasonable prices too. I took my husband and son along, who have no real connection to Dagenham. They loved the museum and said it was so interesting. An absolute pleasure to visit, I highly recommend it.

It's a great venue, with a great cafe that have very Polite, Courteous Staff, The Museum is great and the History attached too it. The Herb Garden is a great place to relax and have some well earned peace and quite. Long may it continue.

Not so well known to most tourists and even local Britons, so the 2 brothers whom always visited there, felt bit surprised when I am from working holiday and know about the free museum, very informative, with whale bone, old portrait, very dedicated descriptions about the the construction material and structure, railway accidents episodes at that area long ago, costumes, tombs, old pianos etc. 20min walk from Chadwell Heath station.

Wow! Had this on my doorstep for years and never looked in until today. A great museum, shop, cafe and archive - so much local history on display. The Easter Egg hunt was great for my daughter (and had me confused too!) and everything was so relaxed and friendly. Returning for the farm event, looking forward to it : )

New playground and outside gym that ads to the family friendly atmosphere also a museum and cafe.

A lovely local museum, with some interactive displays, and a little cafe and pretty garden. Nice place to take the kids.

We really look forward to participating in the family activities at Valence House. Free of charge, well planned and fun activities, attentive staff members plus lovely grounds to have a picnic. Highly recommend this little gem with family & friends.

Brilliant place yo visit and so very interesting.the kids will love it.I never tire of going there.free entry and parking.

Really interesting local history, it’s accessible with a designated wide entrance and lift. Adequate parking. Closed for an hour between 12-1pm. Cafe was welcoming and bright with lunches, cakes and drinks.

A hidden gem situated in the heart of Becontree. Beautiful manor and a superb museum, that has the local history of Barking and Dagenham. Nearby there is the archive centre and cafe. Must see.

Not been there often but there was little hunting games for kids once and my children loved it, also a lovely playground next to it❤️❤️❤️

Attended a prehistoric event today. It was a lovely atmosphere. Lots to see and do for the children and everyone was friendly and very knowledgeable. Fun had by all, I would definitely attend another one of their events.

Its brilliant wat they have dont to this house and all years round u can have cream teas in there

My grandson loved it. Find Wally contest. prize a badge and lolly

Very disappointing to have made a special visit to see 'Barking Stink' temporary exhibition from SW20 and found the museum is closed on Mondays.

Fantastic for schools trips. Staff were so knowledgeable and the resources were so engaging for the children.

It was a museum

A really nice,interesting day out,nice staff.

Great place to visit , very interesting

So interesting and taught me lots I didn't know about the borough

The history is here and you are here because of the history. Or maybe you are here because of the totally friendly staff? Dunno myself, but you should visit and SORT IT OUT.

Always fun, educational, welcoming and child friendly.

(Translated by Google) Excellent English history (Original) Excelente historia inglesa

great museum interesting information.quite a bit for children to get involved in.also nice cafe facing.such a pity that the nearby lake is now run down and not maintained.also rose gardens in park have gone.used to be a lovely park.

Interesting day out with family to learn a little bit about the history of Dagenham. Great place to visit with children and teenagers.My little boy loves it there it doesn't make a difference that he has been many times before whenever we are near it we have to go in .he never gets bored

Visit! Fantastic for educational trips or a family day out!

Very friendly staff very informative I loved it

seemed to be a bit of beef between the main house and the kite building bit. Got sent to kite building from the main house with 15 mins to go, told that there wasn't enough time and to go to the backpack activity in the main house. The main house wasn't keen to do the backpack activity. We went to the park

Very interesting worth going

Very friendly place

There's always activities for the children in the holidays which is great. However some get over subscribed and u can't book in advance. Museum is nice and my daughter enjoys it

Well worth a visit. Good for a morning or afternoon trip. Lovely cafe there and staff friendly.

Place of interest and lots of history also a place to get a drink and chill

Great day out for familys .

Good place for local museum. They keep arranging activities for kids.

very good historical information about the surrounding area

We had an amazing day at the Victorian Christmas event today. The stalls were great, and they loved the 'snow' and seeing Santa. Can't wait to come again next year 😊

Very good ,kids enjoyed seeing santa 🎅 and great to have a free ride on merry-go-round 😀