About

Book in to enjoy a free behind the scenes visit at the Warner Textile Archive.

There will be a guided tour focusing on innovation within the design and manufacture of textiles by Warner & Sons from the 1830s to 1980s.

See historic textiles up-close including early examples of surface-roller printed curtains, innovations in the use of alternative yarns and geometric patterns in the 1930s, through to experimentations with screen-printing in the 1950s. Visits include exclusive access to our collection store which is not normally open to the public.

Whilst in Braintree you have the opportunity to visit Braintree Museum for free, which hosts the Warner & Sons Gallery showcasing more pioneering textile processes from Warner & Sons.

Tours at the Warner Textile Archive last approximately 20 minutes, with further time to view the displays and visit the shop.

Braintree District Museum has been based in the former Manor Street School building since 1993, celebrating the history of Braintree and surrounding areas.

The museum preserves the District’s industrial and cultural heritage as well as celebrating some of our famous residents. 

 Exhibits include artefacts discovered in the local area, a dedicated area for Crittall Windows, and a focus on the importance of both the Courtauld and Warner textile firms.

There is also a display dedicated to the work of John Ray, widely regarded as the Father of Natural History. His innovative work has been highly significant within scientific circles, but is also important in our everyday understanding of plants and animals. For example, he coined the use of the terms petal and pollen and discovered that trees could be dated from their rings.