Eastbury Manor House
The History
Eastbury Manor House was built by Clement Sysley during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was originally in an isolated position, on rising ground surrounded by marshland with views of the Thames.
It is thought that an earlier house once occupied the site, as the Manor of Eastbury previously belonged to Barking Abbey, which had been dissolved in 1539.
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Plan of the ground floor showing servant quarters on the right
Tree-ring analysis carried out by English Heritage has shown that the timbers used in the roof of the present house were felled in the spring of 1566. The architectural expert Sir Nicholas Pevsner believed that various distinctive features of the house are characteristic of the 1550s.
The earliest dated items, such as a lead rainwater hopper head, were produced in the 1570s. This supports the idea that the traditional construction of large Tudor houses took several years to complete. The exterior of the building retains its original Tudor appearance, as it has never been extended.
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Map of the Manor of Barking
After being the country home of gentry families for the earlier part of its history, in the 18th and 19th centuries Eastbury (sometimes known as Eastbury Hall) was inhabited by a succession of tenants such as yeoman farmers, butchers and graziers. They fattened cattle on the rich marshland pasture before selling them in the London markets.
Eastbury was gradually neglected and fell into decay. One of its two octagonal stair turrets was pulled down in the early 19th century, and one room was even used as a stable. It was in real danger of complete demolition until 1918 when it was purchased by the National Trust.
The Servants' Room. watercolour
By Alfred Bennett Bamford. 1907
A book, A step back in time, encourages young visitors to become history detectives and search for evidence of what Eastbury House would have been like in the past. It is available from the Eastbury Manor House shop and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Libraries.
The History of The Manor of Eastbury Information Sheet 
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