Holiday apartment in Barking And Dagenham: Parks, nature and culture

Barking And Dagenham combines extensive natural areas, historic houses and distinctive paths through a varied landscape. Barking Park is the focal point: it opened in 1898 and is the oldest public park in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The park covers 30 hectares and has a 910-metre-long boating lake, which has been a popular attraction since it was introduced.

Nature and landscape

Several designated nature areas give the borough a diverse character. Eastbrookend Country Park covers more than 84 hectares and is designated as a Local Nature Reserve. Its natural areas include woodland and wildflower meadows, a community orchard, fishing lakes, an outdoor fitness area, and walking and cycling paths. A self-guided, circular nature trail starts and ends at the Discovery Centre at Eastbrookend Country Park.

The Chase Local Nature Reserve covers 48 hectares. It contains low-lying wetlands and reedbeds alongside horse-grazed pasture, scrubland, and river and woodland areas. The Dagenham Corridor contains floodplain, scrubland and grassland that support a wide variety of wildlife. Eastbrookend Country Park and the wider Dagenham Corridor also offer car-free cycle routes.

Beam Parklands is located where the River Wantz flows into the River Beam. The area contains species-rich reedbeds, shallow ponds, marshland and extensive acidic grassland areas that are rare in the southeast. A footbridge connects Beam Valley with Bretons Park and provides informal access on foot or by bicycle. The Ripple Greenway is a 1.3-kilometre route for walking and cycling.

Wildlife is also a focus in several locations. The Wildlife & Wellbeing Trail is designed for residents and visitors to Barking Riverside to discover the endangered, protected and often hidden wildlife of Barking Riverside. Most paths in Rippleside Park are level and suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters; the surrounding entrances provide step-free access.

Culture and history

The history of the area is reflected in several notable buildings. Valence House is the only surviving manor house in Dagenham, dates from the Middle Ages and is still partially surrounded by a moat. The estate includes a herb garden, a “Dig for Victory” bed, an archive and centre for local and family history, and the Tulip Tree Tea Room. Events for the whole family also take place there throughout the year.

Eastbury Manor House was built between 1560 and 1573 and has preserved its Elizabethan Tudor exterior to this day. During a visit, you can see the Painted Chamber and the original spiral staircase in the tower. Barking Abbey was a medieval Benedictine nunnery; surviving archaeological remains bear witness to its historical importance.

A contemporary perspective is provided by the Women’s Museum in Barking. It commissions and produces contemporary art by women as well as trans and non-binary artists, highlights local heritage, and addresses gender identity and equality. Its programme includes curated film screenings with discussions involving filmmakers and public discussions.

Paths and connections

The various green spaces can be connected through paths and crossings, without any single landscape being the defining feature. Car-free cycle routes run through Eastbrookend Country Park and the wider Dagenham Corridor. The Ripple Greenway complements this network with its 1.3-kilometre route for walking and cycling, while the footbridge between Beam Valley and Bretons Park provides informal access on foot or by bicycle.

For connections across the water, Barking Riverside Pier offers direct services operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to Woolwich (Royal Arsenal – Elizabeth line), Greenwich, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, Embankment and Westminster.

Other destinations

Those wishing to continue exploring destinations can switch to Barking. Other destinations include Harrow, Islington, Havering, City Of London, Bromley, Lambeth and Westminster.

For the higher-level travel overview: Greater London.