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Eastbury Manor House, Barking

Companionship careBarking and Dagenham

Days out in Barking and Dagenham for an older parent

Seven places in Barking and Dagenham that make a good day out for an older parent, from Eastbury Manor House to Central Park, Dagenham. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Eastbury Manor House. Photo: Gordon Joly, CC BY 2.5

Seven days out across two towns

The best places to take an older parent in Barking and Dagenham

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two describes a step-free route, and three confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Eastbury Manor House, Barking

Photo: Gordon Joly, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Barking

Eastbury Manor House

Eastbury Manor House is a brick Tudor gentry house in a quiet street in Barking, owned by the National Trust and run with the local council. Visitors can see its panelled rooms, wall paintings, walled garden and turret, and there is a café called Eastbury Kitchen.

The house is wheelchair accessible apart from the top of the West Tower, with sloped entrances, a platform lift to the upper floors and three Blue Badge spaces by the driveway, and there is a reduced ticket for over-65s with a free carer ticket for a disabled visitor.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry, one free carer ticket for a disabled visitor

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Barking

Valence House Museum, Dagenham

Photo: Gordon Joly, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Dagenham

Valence House Museum

Valence House is the only surviving manor house in Dagenham, partly moated, and now the borough's local history museum with galleries on the Becontree estate, Ford's Dagenham works and the area's past. The site also has gardens, the local archives, a shop and the Oasis Café.

The ground floor of the museum has level access and a lift reaches part of the upper floor, the visitor centre with the café is fully accessible, and Blue Badge parking is available at the delivery entrance.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Dagenham

Barking Park, Barking

Photo: Adrian Cable, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Barking

Barking Park

Barking Park is a Victorian park opened in 1898, the oldest public park in the borough, with a long boating lake, lawns, sports courts and a café at its centre. The lake is lined with trees and has pond dipping platforms along its edges.

The park has Blue Badge bays in its car parks, mostly wide paths, and an accessible toilet a few metres from the café, so a carer can plan a short lakeside walk with a sit-down.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Barking

Eastbrookend Country Park, Dagenham

Photo: Dudley Miles, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Dagenham

Eastbrookend Country Park

Eastbrookend Country Park is a local nature reserve of meadows, woodland and lakes on restored land in Dagenham, opened in 1995. The Discovery Centre near the car park has a display on the history of the site.

There are seven Blue Badge bays in the main car park and an adapted toilet, but the ground beyond the entrance can be uneven grass and chippings, so a carer should plan a short loop near the centre.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Dagenham

Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey Green, Barking

Photo: Adrian Cable, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Barking

Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey Green

The low stone walls and foundations of Barking Abbey, one of the oldest and most important nunneries in England, are laid out on Abbey Green in the centre of Barking. The Curfew Tower gateway and St Margaret's Church stand beside the ruins, with signs telling the story of the site.

The paths across the green are surfaced and fairly level with bench seats, and toilets are in St Margaret's Centre next door, so it suits a short, gentle visit.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Barking

Mayesbrook Park, Barking

Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Barking

Mayesbrook Park

Mayesbrook Park opened in 1934 for the Becontree estate and covers more than 40 hectares with lakes, a nature reserve area and sports grounds. There is a boating lake used by the local canoe club and paths around the water.

The paths are tarmac and mostly wide enough for a wheelchair, and there are Blue Badge bays at the boating lake car park, so a carer can park close to the water for a flat walk.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Barking

Central Park, Dagenham, Dagenham

Photo: MRSC at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Dagenham

Central Park, Dagenham

Central Park was laid out in the 1930s beside Dagenham Civic Centre and has lawns, a children’s playground and a Memorial Garden opened in 2006. It is a large, open park with tree-lined paths.

There are five Blue Badge bays in the car park, tarmac paths and an adapted toilet, which makes it an easy place for a short walk and a rest on a bench.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Dagenham

Regular groups and events in Barking and Dagenham

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Barking and Dagenham.

  • Fishing · DagenhamBardag Angling AssociationEstablished in 1980, the association runs borough lakes with around 275 members plus day ticket anglers and holds well stocked waters. Joining gives a regular reason to get out, and a carer can provide the lift and a flask and sit alongside.Details
  • Photography · BarkingBarking Photographic SocietyA club founded in 1947 that meets in Barking and runs talks, competitions and exhibitions for beginners and experienced photographers alike. A carer can help with getting to meetings and with handling kit, so the person can concentrate on the pictures.Details
  • Reading · BarkingLibrary book and reading groups run by Pen to PrintPen to Print helps run book and reading groups across Barking and Dagenham libraries, including an audio reading group for people who prefer to listen. A carer can check which group suits, collect the chosen book and go along for the first few meetings.Details
  • Sports · BarkingBarking and District Bowls ClubFounded in 1965 and opened in 1970, this is the area's only purpose built indoor bowls club, based at Barking Park. Indoor play means it carries on all year, and a carer can arrange the lift and stay for a game or a cup of tea.Details
  • Volunteering · BarkingBorough volunteering databaseThe council's One Borough Voice service lists volunteering opportunities across Barking and Dagenham with guidance and support from its volunteering team. A carer can sit with someone to browse roles and help with the sign up and first visit.Details
  • Knitting · DagenhamTreasured Memories arts and crafts group at Valence LibraryValence Library's weekly programme includes a Tuesday morning arts and crafts group alongside sessions aimed at people aged 60 and over. A carer can make it a standing weekly outing and help carry materials.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Barking and Dagenham

At a glance

The seven places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Eastbury Manor HouseBarkingan hour or twoPaid entryYesAskAsk
Valence House MuseumDagenhaman hour or twoFreePartlyAskYes
Barking ParkBarkingan hour or twoFreePartlyYesYes
Eastbrookend Country ParkDagenhaman hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk
Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey GreenBarkingan hour or twoFreeYesAskAsk
Mayesbrook ParkBarkingan hour or twoFreePartlyAskAsk
Central Park, DagenhamDagenhaman hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk

Where the places are in Barking and Dagenham

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

Marks GateDagenhamCreekmouthChadwell Heath1234567
  1. 1Eastbury Manor House, Barking
  2. 2Valence House Museum, Dagenham
  3. 3Barking Park, Barking
  4. 4Eastbrookend Country Park, Dagenham
  5. 5Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey Green, Barking
  6. 6Mayesbrook Park, Barking
  7. 7Central Park, Dagenham, Dagenham

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Barking and Dagenham

Carers in Barking and Dagenham charge £19 to £20 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £19, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £76 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Barking and Dagenham has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Barking and Dagenham

Eastbury Manor House in Barking, Valence House Museum in Dagenham, Barking Park in Barking, Eastbrookend Country Park in Dagenham, Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey Green in Barking, Mayesbrook Park in Barking and Central Park, Dagenham in Dagenham. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Eastbury Manor House and Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey Green describes a step-free route. Barking Park, Eastbrookend Country Park and Central Park, Dagenham have an accessible toilet. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Valence House Museum, Barking Park, Eastbrookend Country Park, Barking Abbey ruins and Abbey Green, Mayesbrook Park and Central Park, Dagenham. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 27 of the carers with a rate near Barking and Dagenham drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £19 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Barking and Dagenham shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Barking and Dagenham

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Barking and Dagenham

Days out in the areas around Barking and Dagenham

Companionship care by town in Barking and Dagenham

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Barking and Dagenham

See carers near Barking and Dagenham who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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