Visit Braintree, Essex Places

Welcome to Visit Braintree, Essex Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Braintree, Essex

  

Braintree, Essex Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Braintree, Essex

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Braintree, Essex history

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Braintree dates back over 4,000 years when it was just a small village. People in the area during the Bronze and Iron Ages built houses on the lower part of the town. This area was later inhabited by the Saxons, who occupied the town after the Romans left and named the Roman road Stane Street.

Roman invasion

The town was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and consisted of 30 acres (12 hectares) in the possession of Richard, son of Count Gilbert. Pilgrims used the town as a stopover and the size of the town increased. The Bishop of London obtained a market charter for the town in 1190.

Flemish cloth trades

As early as the 14th century, Braintree was processing and manufacturing woollen cloth. The town prospered from the 17th century when Flemish immigrants made the town famous for its wool cloth trade. In 1665, the Great Plague killed 865 out of the population of 2,300 people.

Silk manufacturing

The wool trade died out in the early 19th century and Braintree became a centre for silk manufacturing when George Courtauld opened a silk mill in the town. The wealthy Courtauld family had a strong influence on the town, supporting plans for many of the town’s public buildings.

Modern history and World War II

Braintree and surrounding areas were drop-zone for excess bombs left over from raids on London. One bomb hit the corner of Bank Street and Coggeshall Road, near the White Hart Inn. The inn stayed intact, but on the opposite side of the road, two buildings were demolished by the bomb. It opened up the town and provided what you see today.

Braintree, Essex etymology

The origin of the name is obscure. Braintree was also called “Branchetreu” in the Domesday Book. A third theory is that the name means “settlement by the river Bran or Braint”

Braintree, Essex geography / climate

Braintree lies in north Essex, about 46 miles (74 kilometres) from London. It lies about 150 feet (45 metres) above sea level. Two rivers flow through the town in the direction of the River Brain and River Pant.

You can visit Braintree, Essex places with Walkfo Braintree, Essex to hear history at Braintree, Essex’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Braintree, Essex has 23 places to visit in our interactive Braintree, Essex map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Braintree, Essex, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Braintree, Essex places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Braintree, Essex & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 23 audio facts unique to Braintree, Essex places in an interactive Braintree, Essex map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Braintree, Essex Places Map
23 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Braintree, Essex historic spots	Braintree, Essex tourist destinations	Braintree, Essex plaques	Braintree, Essex geographic features
Walkfo Braintree, Essex tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Braintree, Essex

  

Best Braintree, Essex places to visit

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Braintree, Essex has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Braintree, Essex’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Braintree, Essex’s information audio spots:

William Julien Courtauld Hospital William Julien Courtauld Hospital was a health facility in Braintree, Essex. It was managed by Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust.

Braintree Community Hospital Braintree Community Hospital is a community hospital in Essex. It is run by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. The hospital is part of the Mid-Essex NHS Trust.

St Michael’s Hospital, Braintree The St Michael’s Hospital was a health facility in Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex. It was managed by Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust.

Braintree Town Hall Braintree Town Hall is a Grade II* listed building in the Market Square. The town hall was the headquarters of the council’s Urban District Council. It is located in the market square of the town centre in Essex.

Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Franciscan Convent The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic chapel run by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters. The chapel is located in the grounds of the Franciscans Sisters’ Convent.

Visit Braintree, Essex plaques