Valence House Museum

The museum contains permanent exhibitions on history and life in Barking and Dagenham, including displays from the 1945 Becontree Estate.

An exhibition opened showing restored items from the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation collection at Valence House Museum on 14 March 2018.

The exhibition was inspired by local man Alan Friswell who worked with Ray Harryhausen on the creature's restorations.

In the latter part of the 16th century the owner and tenant of Valence House was Timothy Lucye, who married in 1584 Susanna, daughter of Henry Fanshawe, of Jenkyns, an adjoining manor.

In 1921, the London County Council (LCC) purchased the building and land to develop the Becontree estate.

Portrait of Sir Thomas Fanshawe of Jenkins and his wife Margaret by the Anglo-Dutch painter Sir Peter Lely , 1659. The collection of Valence House Museum.