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Annual Twilight Classical Concert Sat 29 May 2010
MikeStarr5 Says: This hugely popular twilight classical concert is held every year in the spectacular settings of Barking Abbey Ruins. Gates open at 7pm to the sounds of the church bells rung by St Margaret's Church Bell Ringers. The mood-setting music of the Aminta Concert Orchestra,...
Barking Assembly Hall & Neil Young's LP "Harvest"
MikeStarr5 Says: It is fairly common knowledge around these parts that "The Edge" from U2 was born in Barking Town. However, there is another famous musical landmark which, for music fans like myself, will forever be associated with this London Borough.I would love to be able to direct you...
Barking Assembly Hall - Broadway Theatre - History
MikeStarr5 Says: As I was researching my tip regarding the recording of Neil Young's classic album "Harvest", some of which took place in Barking, I came across some surprising and interesting information regarding Barking Assembly Hall - Now known as the Broadway Theatre or simply "The...
Holding Pattern - UK's 2nd Largest Public Artwork
MikeStarr5 Says: Barking Town boasts the largest Lotto-funded public art project in the UK-The A13 Artscape Project. This huge plan links, with works by local, national & international artists & designers, a series of open spaces along a 3 mile stretch of the A13 - A road that carries 60,000...
The Catch - A Modern Sculpture Well Worth Seeing.
MikeStarr5 Says: "The Catch" is piece of modern sculpture, which cost approximately £150,000 to build and erect. It was designed by Loraine Leeson, artist in residence at the London East Research Institute, University of East London. It is meant to depict both Barking Town's rich fishing...
Madonna's Boobs Roundabouts on Outskirts of Town
MikeStarr5 Says: The sculptures on these 2, more or less adjacent, roundabouts were created by English designer, Thomas Heatherwick - Born 01-03-70 (see my 2nd pic). They were constructed after extensive public consultation and community involvement and are officially called "Scylla and...
MikeStarr5 Says: (Tip Updated June 2010)After being closed for 2 years for extensive renovation, the museum reopens to the public on Saturday 26th June 2010)Valence House is an early timber-framed manor house dating back to the 15th century. It is sited in parkland with a lovely herb garden...
London Bridge: Mostly in Arizona-Partly in Barking
MikeStarr5 Says: In 1968, London Bridge was sold to the American entrepreneur Robert McCulloch of McCulloch Oil for nearly 2½ million dollars. Rumour has it that he mistakenly believed that he was buying the more impressive Tower Bridge but this has always been denied.The bridge was...
The Chennai: - Probably the Best Veggie Restaurant in Town
MikeStarr5 Says: When it first opened, the Chennai was a strict vegetarian restaurant. Nowadays, although they still serve a fantastic selection of veggie dishes, there are also a few meat dishes on their very long menu - 132 dishes at the last count.The Chennai is part of a small chain of 4...
Yaki Noodle Bar: Cheap and Cheerful Noodles etc etc
MikeStarr5 Says: I have eaten at the Yaki Noodle Bar on a regular basis since it opened & have rarely been disappointed.The restaurant is fairly large but I have never seen it even a quarter full, so there is plenty of space and absolutely no need to book. The layout is basically long...
The Spotted Dog: A Dickensian Atmosphere-Probably Barkings Best Pub
MikeStarr5 Says: At various times in its history, parts of the building have been an off-licence, a hotel and a wine bar. Nowadays it is very pleasant, traditional Victorian pub with a great atmosphere. You can almost feel those Dickensian ghosts breathing down your neck.The pub is quite...
The Britannia Pub - Sadly Now Closed: Another Great Pub Closes
MikeStarr5 Says: The Britannia has now closed but I have left this review for nostalgic purposes - It was my boozer for all my adult life and I was very sad to see it go.The Brit was built between 1848 and 1863 and is an excellent example of a typical British family run pub with a nice...
MikeStarr5 Says: Virtual Tourists will find Barking Town easiest to get to from Central London by train.On the Underground System - Locally known as the Tube - you will find Barking on both the District and also the "Hammersmith and City" Lines.Visitors from Central London will arrive on...
Taxis and Mini Cabs in Barking Town
MikeStarr5 Says: Here are the details of some mini cab companies that I use which are based in Barking Town.S.A.M. Car Services6 North StreetBarking TownEssexIG11 8AW020-8594 9395 A-To-B Cabs21 Longbridge Road,Barking Town,EssexIG11 8TN 020-8594 9290 / 5536Ripple Cars 200, Ripple Rd,Barking...
Barking Town Market - Click to Enlarge Photo: Bargains Galore in the Market
MikeStarr5 Says: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday since 2001, there has been a lively open-air market in Barking Town Centre. During the run up to Christmas, the market takes place even more frequently. It is run by Charfleet Markets and open from 9.00am to 5.00pm with traders setting up...
Order Your Drinks Like A Local
MikeStarr5 Says: While you are in Barking Town, you might as well have a drink (or 4) in a pub which regularly features in the "UK Good Beer Guide". This year it has also just been voted the CAMRA (Campagn for Real Ale) London Pub of the Year 2007. Believe me that is quite an honour !!!The...
Barking Dog Pub - A film Set for the Movie "SAW"
MikeStarr5 Says: This pub, which opened in 1993 immediately adjacent to Barking Station, is so awful it could be the setting for the next installment of the Hollywood horror movie “SAW” !To get in the place, you have to push your way though a noisy flock of cackling, pregnant, teenage girls...
MikeStarr5 Says: If you want a mini cab to take you to see "Barking Mill", "The Lighted Lady of Barking", "The Catch", "The Secret Garden", "Holding Pattern" or indeed ANY of the places mentioned in my Barking Town tips, please do not expect the driver to know where they are.Often these...
MikeStarr5 Says: You will find Barking Park east of the Town Centre. Turn left from the station, walk down the hill, passed a roundabout with a modern sculpture called "The Catch" - See separate tip. Continue for 4 mins & you reach the main gates of Barking Park on your left.There's lots to...
Barking Arboretum - One of London's Top 100 Spaces
MikeStarr5 Says: It's arrival had been rumoured for an eternity but finally at the end of September 2009 Barking Town finally got it's long awaited "Arboretum".Open any dictionary and it will tell you that an "arboretum" is a collection of trees, shrubs and wild flowers. However, sited where...
Plan a Barking Town vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Barking Town locals
MY "BARKING TOWN" - Strange as the name "Barking" may seem, my research has shown me that we are anything but unique. If you do a search on Virtual Tourist you will find both a Barking and "Barking Town" in East London -...
4 members live in Barking Town
Q: I heard a rumour that permission had been granted to show every match in the 2010 World Cup on an enormous screen in Barking Park...
A: Sounds rather unlikely to me. I wonder if the rumour has been conflated from news about the Barking community...
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Strange as the name "Barking" may seem, my research has shown me that we are anything but unique. If you do a search on Virtual Tourist you will find both a Barking and "Barking Town" in East London -...
Build your own Barking Town page
