Heritage and History

Eastbury Manor House

Did the gunpowder plot really begin at Eastbury?

Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October 2008, 10am - 4pm.

Eastbury Manor House is a listed mansion house in Barking built by Clement Sysley, a rich Essex merchant during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The house was originally in an isolated position surrounded by marshland. In the early 1600s it attracted rich Catholic families who could practice their banned religion there in safety.

Later tenants were yeoman farmers of a much lower class, and butchers and graziers attracted by the pasture grazing and the rich London market. The house was gradually neglected and fell into decay until 1918 when it was restored by the National Trust.

Today the building stands in 1.5 acres including a walled garden. It is owned by the National Trust and managed by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

The house is an arts, heritage and community resource and hosts school visits, historical re-enactments, Family Days, evening events and civil marriage and civil partnerships ceremonies. The money from the lottery grant created a new gift shop and tea room, as well as an access lift to all floors and restoration to parts of the historic gardens.

School parties can enjoy the house under the guidance of the Eastbury Manor House educational team. For information regarding education visits on offer, please contact the Projects Coordinator at the address shown.

There is a book, A step back in time, available for young visitors. Become a history detective and search for evidence which tells us about Eastbury House in the past. Cost £3, available from Eastbury Manor House, Valence House and Libraries.

Eastbury Manor House is available to hire for business functions and civil marriage and civil partnerships ceremonies.

Refurbishment Project|

A History of Eastbury Manor|

An Architectural Gem|

Distinguished Features|

Business Functions|

Civil marriage and civil partnerships ceremonies|

Educational Visits|

Open Days and Events|

Opening hours

The house is open to public on Mondays and Tuesdays and the 1st and 2nd Saturday of each month. Details of events.

Group visits and visits at other times are possible by prior arrangement with the manager.

Please note: Eastbury Manor House is now undergoing refurbishment works until March 2009, therefore half of the house will be inaccessible for visitors. We recommend that if you are travelling a long way to see the House, that you may want to wait until we are fully open to maximise your experience of the house. However our gardens will still be open and make a relaxing environment in which to enjoy the British Summer!

Due to these extensive renovation works, Eastbury Manor House will unfortunately not be participating in this year's London Open House.