Residents and visitors will start to see improvements taking place across Valence House Museum and gardens to improve the borough’s heritage for local communities and future generations.
The £800k improvement works are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Arts Council England’s Museum Estates Development Fund, with match funding from Barking and Dagenham Council. It will include conservation works in the medieval moated enclosure to restore natural habitats and biodiversity, roof repair across the Museum and visitor buildings, in addition to conservation investigations to ensure proper care of the medieval fabric of the Grade II* listed building.
Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “Barking and Dagenham is a growing destination with a diverse arts and culture offer, and we recognise the huge contribution the sector makes to our entire community.
“Our borough’s heritage gems Valence House and Eastbury Manor House are much loved by the community and despite the financial pressures we like councils up and down the country are facing, we’re committed to ensuring our heritage sites remain available for local people to enjoy.
“It’s really important we continue to secure external funding to invest in these important sites and ensure a wide range of arts and culture activity to meet the needs of not just the few, but the many.”
Residents and communities can also continue to enjoy free entry to both Barking and Dagenham heritage sites Valence House Museum and Eastbury Manor House. New opening times will ensure local people can access these sites at least six days a week in the borough:
Valence House Opening Hours
Museum and Archives: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays, 10am - 4pm
The Tulip Tree Tearoom: Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Saturdays, 10am - 4.30pm
Eastbury Manor House Opening Hours
House and Eastbury Kitchen Café: Thursday and Friday 10am - 4pm, and Sundays 11am - 4pm
Residents and communities interested in viewing archive material, rare books or researching family history can visit the Archive and Local Studies Centre. Appointments can be made by email at localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or by phone on 0208 227 2033.
Volunteering opportunities, to support heritage sites and gardens, are also available. For more information visit https://bttr.im/8bzdz or email valencehouse@lbbd.gov.uk / eastburymanorhouse@lbbd.gov.uk to register interest.