Barking

The suburban town of Barking is in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and home the historic Barking Abbey. This nunnery that was founded in 666 by the bishop of London was later destroyed by the Danes and it wasn’t until around a hundred years later, that King Edgar had it reconstructed in 970. The Abbey was again destroyed in 1526 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries and parts of its walls and foundations were used in the construction of the parish church, St Margaret's that stands in the Abbey’s place. It is said that a medieval insane asylum was attached to the Abbey and may be the source of the phrase "barking mad". From the 14^th to 19^th centuries, fishing was the key industry here, with the catch destined for Billingsgate Fish Market in London. Fisher Street is a reminder of fishing heritage of Barking that is celebrated with the large modern steel sculpture entitled "The Catch"; the records of this period of Barking’s history are kept at Valence House Museum.

The town of Barking is a busy, populous place that offers ample amenities, a choice of shops, pubs and eateries as well as transport links that take the visitor easily to the major towns and cities nearby. Within Barking and the surrounding area, visitors will find historic sites, visitor attractions and a wealth of activities, markets and events.