Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Factory

Newman Brothers factory is a preserved industrial building containing original workshops, tools, and machines used to manufacture brass coffin fittings from 1894 to 1998. The space displays the complete production process, from casting moulds to finished handles, all in their working locations.

The factory opened in 1894 and became known for producing high-quality brass fittings used in prominent funerals, including those of Winston Churchill and members of the royal family. It operated for over a century before closing in 1998.

The museum reveals how Victorians honoured their dead through carefully crafted coffin fittings and funeral customs. Visitors see how this craft reflected the values and beliefs of the time through every brass handle and engraved nameplate.

The site is best explored with guided tours led by former factory workers who explain the machinery and sometimes allow visitors to operate historic equipment. Comfortable shoes are recommended as you will walk through multiple levels of the industrial building.

The factory retained its 1960s equipment and original interior layout, offering a rare view of how artisanal brass work transformed into industrial manufacturing. This authenticity allows visitors to grasp the working conditions and techniques of that era directly.