At Braintree District Museum the story of the District, and its important place in our island’s history unfolds.
Braintree District Museum, Manor Street, Braintree, Essex
tel: 01376 325266 (general enquiries)
tel: 01376 328868 (museum shop)
email: museum@braintree.gov.uk
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Opening Times
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Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
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Admission
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£2.00. Students, Senior Citizens and Under 16s: £1.00. 50% discount for Braintree District Council residents.
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Disabled Facilities
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All facilities and galleries, with the exception of the Mezzanine, are accessible to wheelchair users.
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Refreshments
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Herb Garden Cafe on site (Closed Mondays). A wide range of restaurants and cafes within a few minutes walk of the Museum. For group visits, details provide on request.
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Parking
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The Museum is adjacent to 2 car parks and within a few minutes walk from George Yard multi-storey car park.
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Coach Park
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Nearby, to be booked in advance.
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Transport
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Trains run hourly from London Liverpool Street to Braintree station, only 5 minutes walk from the Museum. Freeport Designer Outlet Village is 5 minutes away by free shuttle bus (pick up point close to the Museum) or 2 minutes by train to Freeport station.
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A visit to our Museum will explain:
- Where the earliest peoples settled, and why
- Why Shakespeare had no words to describe the individual ‘leaves’ of flower blooms
- The reason one of our most famous streets came into being
- Who founded the educational establishment which would become one of America’s most famous Universities
- The influence the victims of religious persecution had on our textile industry
- Why one particular village was so important to artists and designers
- How we played a vital role in the war effort
- ………. And much, much more!!
With creativity and skill, the people of this area shared ideas which had a major influence on twentieth century life in England and the World.
The Museum’s galleries interpret the diverse local industrial heritage: the production of fabrics for state occasions during the past 200 years and innovations in metal window design and man-made textiles in which our District led the world.
In the seventeenth century, John Ray, probably the most distinguished British natural historian of all time, was born locally. His discoveries and theories are presented alongside ‘hands-on’ experiments for visitors to try.
In the twentieth century, an artistic community grew around great Bardfield, attracting leading artists and designers. Their rich contribution to regional culture is today recognised internationally. To complement the Museum’s collection regular exhibitions of work are held by past and present local artists and crafts people.
The building itself, a converted Victorian School in Manor Street, is a unique setting for the story of our District and continues to be a centre for diverse and creative ideas. We have a full educational service, research facilities, changing Exhibition programme, gift shop and on site Café and with The Tourist Information Centre, Art Gallery, Library and Warner Textile Archive within a few minutes walk, what are you waiting for??
Come and visit us and help us to
Preserve the Past, Understand the Present and Create the Future
