NEW BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS CELEBRATING THE PLATINUM JUBILEE: SILKS AND VELVETS FOR ROYALTY 04 Apr 2022

We are pleased to announce our new behind the scenes tours programme for 2022. Join us on selected dates to explore our collection.

Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/braintree-museum

Did you know that Braintree played an important part in the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953? From their factory in Braintree, Warner & Sons were given the opportunity to produce the silks worn by Elizabeth II, along with the decorative fabrics used to adorn Westminster Abbey. Join us on a behind the scenes tour at the Warner Textile Archive to learn about the process of making sumptuous velvets for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and how Warner & Sons pioneered the creation of Cloth of Gold, woven with real silver and gold thread. Warner & Sons have a long tradition of supplying fabric to royalty. From Queen Victoria to Prince Charles, our collection spans hundreds of years of silks and velvets created for special royal occasions and to furnish palaces. A Behind the Scenes Tour at the Warner Textile Archive allows you to explore the history of royal fabric design and see up close some of the most luxurious textiles in the UK.

Available Dates:

Saturday 28th May 2022 10.30am -1pm

Thursday 30th June 2022 10.30am -1pm

Wednesday 5th October 2022 1pm -3.30pm

Friday 18th November 2022 10.30am -1pm

Visits include an introductory talk on the history of Warner & Sons held at Braintree Museum, followed by a behind the scenes visit to the Warner Textile Archive store with an expert guide for CELEBRATING THE PLATINUM JUBILEE: SILKS AND VELVETS FOR ROYALTY where you will get the chance to see textiles made for royal events and palaces up close. The tour includes a short walk through historic Braintree to change venues. Price: £20pp. All tours include refreshments of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits offered half way through your visit. The tour lasts approximately 2½ hours. Both Braintree Museum and the Warner Textile Archive have fully disabled access. In our shops at both Braintree Museum and the Warner Textile Archive you will find a range of gifts inspired by designs in the collection. To get in touch call 01376 328868 or email museum.info@bdmt.org.uk. There is a variety of pay and display car parks in and around Braintree town centre.  http://www1.parkingpartnership.org/north/about-braintree-braintreecarparks  Disabled parking by arrangement.