Global Village Rainham

In September 2026 we invited all to join us for a fabulous and free celebration of art, community and culture at National Trust Rainham Hall Community Gardens. 

There were outdoor performances from the fantastic Circus Raj and the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, energising Bollywood Dance sessions, and tales from Africa with Seirra Leonean storyteller Usifu Jalloh. Local community organisations joined in with creative craft stalls, the Village Voices Oral History Project collected micro stories, and there was Global Garden vegetable tasting. For children and families there were games from around the world with story tents, den building, giant hopscotch and more.

Rainham Hall is a National Trust property in the centre of Rainham, London Borough of Havering which opened in October 2015. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Veolia North Thames Trust, Biffa Award, and the National Trust. Extensive conservation work has been undertaken by Julian Harrap Architects and Bakers of Danbury and a new visitor experience created. The Hall is a remarkably fine example of a Queen Anne house, built in 1729 by sea merchant, John Harle. Unlike many historic houses, Rainham Hall has not been owned by multiple generations of one or a few families but has been home to over 50 households. On the day of the event, there was free entry to Rainham Hall, where children and families enjoyed the Layers of History exhibition with the Rainham Hall Tag Trail which follows 12 wooden tags with interactive challenges to look out for whilst going around the exhibition.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rainham-hall