Description
Eastbury is an Elizabethan Manor House built as a country residence for a wealthy merchant. The Manor dates back to at least the C14th when it belonged to Barking Abbey. From the early C18th onwards the estate was divided and the house gradually became dilapidated, occupied by a succession of tenant farmers. In 1913/14 the estate was broken up for building development. The house and immediate grounds, now the focus of a residential square built in the 1920s, was purchased by the National Trust in 1918 and later leased to Barking Borough Council. In the C18th the gardens comprised a west walled garden and two small plots to north and west of the house, both probably once enclosed, and an orchard to the south. The garden to the east is enclosed by C18th and C19th brick walls. Many of the original features have been restored, including the walled garden, in which 'bee-boles' can be seen in the walls.
Practical Information
| Site location | Eastbury Square, Sisley Road, Barking |
|---|---|
| Postcode | IG11 9SN |
| What3Words | ///host.fact.depend |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Barking & Dagenham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 10am-4pm Mon, Tues and 1st & 2nd Sat of ea month. Closed BH Mon, 28 & 29 Dec |
| Special Conditions | Admission charge (free to NT members). Dogs on leads |
| Facilities | Old Buttery Gift Shop, Garden Tearoom, Arts and Crafts Area. From Nov 2009: Permanent exhibition of Eastbury Manor history |
| Events | Regular Heritage Days, guided tours, family days and other events; historical re-enactments; schools programme. Has participated in OGSW |
| Public Transport | Tube: Upney (District; Hammersmith & City). London Overground/Rail/Tube (Hammersmith & City, District): Barking then bus. Bus 287, 368. |
| Research Updated | 9 April 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Eastbury Manor House is a fine Elizabethan manor house built in the shape of an H, the curtilage of which was formed into a 'square' in the 1920s with the erection of neighbouring housing. Earliest surviving reference to the Manor of Eastbury dates from 1331/2 when it belonged to Barking Abbey until the Dissolution of the Monasteries; the present Eastbury House was built by the early 1570s - the date 1572 is on a rainwater head - as the country residence of a wealthy merchant (probably Clement Sysley), and was until C18th known as Eastbury Hall. From the early C18th it was occupied by a succession of tenant farmers and the estate was broken up in 1913/14 for building purposes. Acquired in 1916 by Percy Bayman, the site was then purchased by the National Trust in 1918, who leased the property to Barking Borough Council in 1934 who restored it and re-opened it as Barking Museum in 1935. The Museum closed in 1941 and the house has since been used as a cultural centre with arts, community, educational and heritage activities.
The first mention of the gardens dates from the early C18th: in 1736 the garden comprised 3 discrete areas, the west walled garden, and two small plots to the north and west of the house both probably at one time also enclosed, and small orchard to the south. The walled garden to the east is enclosed by C18th and C19th brick walls, with an iron palisade around the perimeter of the site. The east and south walls of the restored walled garden to the east of the house have a number of niches, probably 'bee boles' for keeping bees.
Many of the original features have been restored recently by Richard Griffiths Architects, as a result of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. This also enabled the creation of a new gift shop and tea room, as well as an access lift to all floors together with restoration of parts of the historic gardens.
The first mention of the gardens dates from the early C18th: in 1736 the garden comprised 3 discrete areas, the west walled garden, and two small plots to the north and west of the house both probably at one time also enclosed, and small orchard to the south. The walled garden to the east is enclosed by C18th and C19th brick walls, with an iron palisade around the perimeter of the site. The east and south walls of the restored walled garden to the east of the house have a number of niches, probably 'bee boles' for keeping bees.
Many of the original features have been restored recently by Richard Griffiths Architects, as a result of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. This also enabled the creation of a new gift shop and tea room, as well as an access lift to all floors together with restoration of parts of the historic gardens.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ457838 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.6 |
| Site Ownership | National Trust, leased to LB Barking & Dagenham |
| Site Management | LB Barking & Dagenham |
| Dates | C16th; 1935/6 |
| Listed Structures | LBI: Eastbury Manor House & Garden Walls |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Barking & Dagenham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Rippleside Cemetery is a large cemetery set up by Barking Parish Burial Board. It was opened in 1886, the first burial taking place in October of that year. The original C19th Lodge, gates and some original railings remain, together with the chapel, where the most impressive monuments are found. The grounds were well planted, and contain notable cedars, holly, yew, laurel and bay. The burial ground was extended to the east in c.1950. Today the cemetery has memorial and lawn-grave sections, a dedicated children's area and a memorial garden.
Greatfields Park opened in 1926 on a site aquired by Barking Borough Council in 1923/4. By 1935 its facilities included bandstands, lawn tennis courts, children's paddling pool, putting green and children's gymnasium, with areas of formal planting, trees and avenue of willows. Some of these features still exist.
The site was originally provided as open space for the Thames View Estate in the 1950s, but was transformed into its current form in 1999/2001 as part of the A13 Artscape Project. Artist Rob Kesseler was commissioned to design the new park, who developed his ideas in consultation with the community, entitling the project 'Turning over a New Leaf'. The layout includes planting of 11 different tree species, sculpted mounds, play areas and meandering paths, and with colour used to create interest.
