 Eastbury Manor House (front view) |
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| Type | Manor House |
|---|---|
| Proprietor | National Trust |
| Managed by | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham |
| Main feature | Historic house |
| Other features | Wall paintings |
| Museum | No |
| Exhibition | Yes |
| Region | Greater London |
| Address | Eastbury Square |
| Postcode | Barking IG11 9SN |
| Refreshments | Yes |
| Parking | On street |
| Shop | No |
| Website | NT Eastbury Manor House |
| 51°32′3.5″N 0°5′58″W / 51.534306°N 0.09944°WCoordinates: 51°32′3.5″N 0°5′58″W / 51.534306°N 0.09944°W | |
Eastbury Manor House is an example of an Elizabethan building situated in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in Greater London, England. The house is in the ownership of the National Trust.
The land on which Eastbury House now stands was once part of the demesne of Barking Abbey. It was built in the 1570s by a wealthy merchant Clement Sisley, who purchased the land after the dissolution of Barking Abbey[1]. It was probably the first brick built building in the area at that time; it had glass windows and very high chimneys, indicating the wealth of the owner. Glass was probably imported from Italy as at that time English glass was relatively poor in quality. A dendrochronology survey dates a timber framework to 1566[2] and there is documentary evidence which describes the dates 1572 carved in the brickwork and 1573 on a lead water spout indicating finishing touches to the building.
Much of the original interior wood paneling and decor was removed when the house was extensively modernised to accommodate a conference centre and training facilities. The old doors have been removed to accommodate new, modern doors and most of the wood floors have been covered with modern carpets and laminate flooring.
Eastbury Manor House is now managed by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham but is a part of the National Trust. The House was given Grade I listed status in 1954. It is open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays and the first and the second Saturdays of every month[3]. In recent years the house has benefitted from a major restoration programme, financed through several successful Heritage Lottery Fund bids. The latest phase, scheduled for completion in 2009, will include a major permanent exhibition on the history of the building and its various owners, designed by museum consultants Higgins Gardner & Partners.
The house is said to be very haunted and warranted an investigation by the Most Haunted team.
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Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
According to a local legend, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was first conceived at Eastbury.
References
- ^ Eastbury Manor House Heritage and History accessed 24 Sep 2007
- ^ Tree-ring analysis of Eastbury Manor House, Barking, Greater London Ancient Monuments Laboratory Reports Vol 24: January to June 1998 (English Heritage Dec 1997) accessed 24 Sep 2007
- ^ National Trust opening hours accessed 24 Sep 2007
Further reading
- Eastbury Manor House - A step back in time Gillian Gillespie (LB B&D: Heritage and History Publications 2002)
- Eastbury Manor House, Barking A Survey of London (Monograph series) (English Heritage, 1917) out of print
External links
- National Trust - Eastbury Manor House
- London Borough of Barking and Dagenham - Heritage and History: Eastbury Manor House
- The Gunpowder Plot Society Eastbury Manor's possible links with the Gunpowder Plot.
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