Barking and Dagenham Barking and Dagenham lies to the east of central London. Areas of interest within the borough include the ruined Anglo-Saxon Barking Abbey, built in 666AD. The Abbey is the venue for the Barking Carnival, taking place in May, which has an open-air concert of classical music as well as children's rides and a pageant. The Broadway Theatre, situated within Barking Town Centre, is one of the last places where you can see a traditional East End variety show, featuring top acts, tea dances and amateurs. The Dagenham Town Show takes place at the beginning of July including trade and craft stalls, funfair, concerts and arena displays. Valence House, a stunning 17th-century building, is now a museum and treasure trove of local historical information.