BECONTREE District Line
The Becontree housing estate is the largest council estate in the world. OK, so the area's not fascinating for everyone, but if you are interested there is an excellent local history museum to visit. Of five manors in Dagenham, Valence House is the only one to survive. Dating from the fifteenth century it has been much altered and extended - the word 'rambling' springs to mind.
Please note Valance House is closed for refurbishment until May 2010.
The intriguing displays cover the whole Becontree/Barking/Dagenham area. There are also some period reconstruction rooms. I was particularly interested in the 1945 Council house set-up, together with its numerous rules and regulations.

The old manor house itself is a pleasant place to wander round and the little cafe charmingly cosy, especially on the cold day I visited. In warmer weather it is possible to sit outside on a patio and enjoy your tea while looking at the herb garden at the back of the house.

Directions: Since the walk from the station to Valence House is not the most interesting I suggest you cheat and catch a 62 bus from outside the Tube station (left) which passes Parsloes Park. The park has a large lake surrounded by willows but is probably not worth getting lost in by taking a possible shortcut. The bus eventually goes up Valence Avenue. Get off at the first stop after the bus crosses Becontree Avenue. Walk back to turn left down Becontree Avenue at the lights. After a few minutes you will see a library on the other side of the road. Go round the side (left) of this and you will find the museum.

MAP

This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!

© DR 2009