Valentines Mansion at dusk.
The Mansion is located in a beautiful park setting, Valentines Park, near Gants Hill in the London Borough of Redbridge.
I feel very privileged to work here. The six artists studios occupy the top floor of the Mansion, formerly the servants quarters. Artists occupying the studios exhibit their work here annually, and we have Open Studio events 3 times a year.
The Mansion was built around 1696-7. It is considered by English Heritage to be "of outstanding architectural or historic interest or of great importance to the nation's built heritage" and is Grade II* listed. Not a grand building, it was a family home for a gentleman of high status.
Restoration of the Mansion started in July 2007 and now features period rooms, an exhibition gallery and displays on the history of the Mansion and its estate. School children role play life 'upstairs & downstairs', using the reconstructed Victorian kitchen and dairy as part of an exciting new education programme. A range of rooms within the Mansion are available for hire by community groups and businesses, and for parties and special events, including weddings.
The Heritage Lottery Fund and the London Borough of Redbridge have funded the restoration.
The Mansion opened to the public for the first time in many years, in February 2009. The next open studio event is Sunday 11th March 2012 , if you would like to be added to my mailing list for details of this and other events, please email me.
More information on the Mansion can be found here www.valentinesmansion.co.uk
Rear of the Mansion, formerly the front of the house, before the Port Cochere was added.
View from my studio window, February 2009
View from my studio window, February 2009
View from my studio window, April 2009
