Rainham Hall
An elegant Georgian House with a diverse history, peaceful garden and changing exhibitions to explore. One of the country’s finest early 18th century merchant’s homes, just two minutes walk from Rainham Station. With a year-round programme of exhibitions and events there is something for all ages.
Layers of History at Rainham Hall
Focusing on four distinct time periods in the Hall’s 300-year history you will find interactive displays, historical information, film and audio stories as well as historical objects from the times.
Everything John Harle Left Behind explores the story of the sea captain who built the Hall in 1729. The exhibition explores the times he would have lived in and the objects and places he might have come across and has an original copy of his will.
Victorian Vicar & Curious Curate: Brady at Rainham Hall follows Brady and his wife Emma as he first came to Rainham Hall in 1874 following his appointment as vicar to the ‘out-of-the-way parish’ of Wennington, a small village near Rainham. Brady was a cycling enthusiast interested in science, education and geology.
The Denney Edition: celebrating an icon of 20th-century style, is an innovative exhibition celebrating the life and career of Vogue photographer, designer, and former Rainham Hall resident, Anthony Denney, who lived here between 1964 and 1969.
Restoring the Hall focuses on 1914-1924 when Colonel H.H. Mulliner bought the Hall to restore it. Although he never lived in the Hall, Mulliner altered, added, and upgraded architectural features and rooms. A controversial and eclectic figure, Mulliner was known as ‘the man who foretold WW1’.
The Sturges Family owned the Hall from 1924-1942 and used it as a country home away from their main residence in London. During this period, the Hall had local domestic servants and gardeners; there were village tennis tournaments, and ‘enemy aliens’ registered here during the second World War.
Remembering the Day Nursery charts the time between 1942-1954 when the Hall was used as a Day Nursery for children when local mothers were conscripted to work in factories or in the land as their contribution to the war effort. The exhibition includes the stories and memories of six local residents who attended the nursery
Rainham Hall Community Garden
Visiting the Community Garden
The nearly three-acre community garden at Rainham Hall provides an oasis of urban green space for visitors to explore and enjoy, for free, all year round. For a donation you can take home produce grown in the vegetable plots and orchard, or pots of plants from the garden.
The garden splits into four distinct spaces: the hall borders, the orchard and kitchen garden, the meandering borders, and the woodland, including a small nature playground and outdoor classroom. Look out for the 150-year-old mulberry tree in the woodland area of the garden.
Wildlife in the Garden
The garden at Rainham is a haven for a variety of urban wildlife, including butterflies, birds and amazing insects. Surrounded by industry and transport links, the garden provides a green breathing space and an ideal habitat.
Look out for the large logs along the woodland path providing a great home for bugs and the Rainham Hall insect mansion in the middle of the wildflower meadow. Stag beetles have been spotted in the garden which is a great sign for this endangered species.
Conservation and Community
Rainham Hall and its garden have become a focal point of the vibrant local community. Community participation is central to the exhibitions, ensuring all exhibits are created in partnership with local makers and groups.
To recognise the vital role that the community plays in creating Rainham Hall’s exhibitions, residents in the RM13 postcode area can visit for free. No booking is necessary, please just bring along some proof of address, such as a recent utility bill.
