What’s On

Events and Special Open Days

ALL ARE WELCOME – BOOK ONLINE HERE

The annual festive get-together with the Friends of Valentines Mansion to celebrate the New Year. Pianist Olga Paliy presents an exciting and varied programme, playing pieces by Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy, Kosenko and Skoryk. Followed by a special viewing of the Winter Exhibition by Valentines’ talented Resident Studio Artists, refreshments and a chance to socialise. Book online or telephone 020 8553 5940 by 8th January 2026

Open Day Times

Sundays and Mondays

  • 12.00-5.00 (March – October)
  • 11.00-3.00 (November – February)

We are always looking for new Volunteers to welcome visitors on Open Days. If that would interest you, please go to our Contact Us page and leave us a message.

Recent Outings and Talks for Members

Visit to the Church of St Lawrence Jewry

On March 21st 2025, a group of members met for a fascinating tour of the church where John and Elizabeth Tillotson are buried. We didn’t know that before this outing! You can read more about this in the next newsletter.

The extraordinary life of Lady Ann Fanshawe

Writer and historian Lucy Moore talked about this Civil War Heroine followed by a visit to Valence House in Dagenham where the Fanshawe family lived for a comparatively short time in the 16th century, and where a collection of their family portraits is housed. We were privileged to be given a behind-the-scenes tour of the collection by museum curator Leeanne Westwood, art historian.

Greenwich

Outing to the Queen’s House to see the Van De Veldes exhibition “Greenwich, Art and the Sea”.  1.00 – 2.00 concert by student harpists of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, in the Great Hall of the Queen’s House.

Recent events at the mansion

Heritage Tree Walk – 19 October 2025

Despite the weather ,led by Stephen Smith an enthusiastic group of 30 folk plus 3 doggies joined our Heritage Tree Walk round the “Pleasure Park and Ornamental Waters” in Valentines Park. The route included the East Lawn, the Wilderness, the American Garden and the Ornamental Lake.  

Botanical Illustration – Art, Science and Discovery -14 October 2025

Lucy T Smith, award-winning botanical illustrator, gave a fascinating talk about the excitement of working at Kew Gardens.  Using highlights from her 30-year career, she showed how contemporary botanical illustrators continue a centuries-long tradition of collaboration with botanists, documenting and sharing their exciting discoveries in plant science.

On Sunday 3rd August Valentines Mansion was buzzing with people playing a variety of games, old and new for a Summer Special Sunday with a difference ! A day organised by the Friends with the help of local U3A groups.

A Scottish Evening 29th January 2025

Who were the Camerons who lived @ValMansion
at the end of the 18th century?

We were delighted to welcome the talented Woodford Singers as part of our Scottish Evening.

From Tiny Acorns II, 2024

FROM TINY ACORNS II 28th February 2024, an event and public meeting to discuss supporting the park
Click here to read about other past events

The Friends Of Valentines Mansion, a registered charity founded in 2000, hold up to six ticketed events each year to raise funds to spend on activities and objects that improve everyone’s enjoyment and understanding of Valentines Mansion, Gardens and Park, owned by the London Borough of Redbridge.

The Friends have clocked up many years of fundraising and celebrating the preservation of Redbridge’s most beautiful community asset, managed by Vision RCL.

Valentines Mansion Events

Full details about all events and opening times at Valentines Mansion and Gardens are available from Vision RCL’s website. For information on facilities and rooms for hire at Valentines Mansion, contact +44 (0) 8708 8100 or email hiringvalentines@visionrcl.org.uk.

On the 2nd Monday of the month from 10:30am- 11:15am. Come and enjoy a wonderful selection of books and rhymes for under 5’s with our brilliant storytellers.
FREE No need to book just drop in !

Gallery Exhibitions

There are changing EXHIBITIONS in the Mansion Gallery on the ground floor – FREE ENTRY on Open Days Sunday and Monday.

Valentines Mansion Studio Artists Winter Exhibition

From Sunday 23 November 2025 to Monday 19 January 2026

The Resident Studio Artists come together to show off their latest work from 2025.

Click here to read about past exhibitions

Valentines Mansion Resident Artists

The Resident Artists’ Studios are on the top floor. Keep an eye out for details of the next Open Studios when this part of the mansion, normally closed to the public, can be visited.

CHRISTMAS ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS Sunday 7 December 2025

The talented studio artists practise a variety of mediums from the top floor of Valentines Mansion.  Come and see a selection of their latest work, from basketry, ceramics and stained glass, to paintings and portraits.