Jackfield Tile Museum

Jackfield Tile Museum is a museum in Shropshire, England, devoted to the British decorative tile industry. It occupies the former Craven Dunnill factory in the village of Jackfield, on the south bank of the River Severn in the Ironbridge Gorge. It suits anyone curious about craft, interior design and industrial history.

What can I see at Jackfield Tile Museum?

The displays follow the story of British decorative tiles between 1840 and 1960. In that period this factory and the nearby works of Maw & Co played a major part in the trade. Tiles made locally are shown in a range of patterns, colours and decorating techniques. They are presented as part of real interiors, from homes and hospitals to shops and public buildings, rather than as purely technical curiosities.

The building is part of the story. The museum sits inside a genuine production works, so a visit helps you picture what it was like to make tiles here. That makes it more than a stroll past display cases.

Where is it, and why is the area special?

Jackfield lies near Broseley, beside the Severn. The whole area is a World Heritage Site and is regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. For a long time the two firms, Craven Dunnill and Maw & Co, were among the main employers in the village, and tiles became its signature product.

How did the factory become a museum?

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust bought the Craven Dunnill site in 1983. Tile production restarted there in 1989, and in 2001 Craven Dunnill took the business back. Today the museum is looked after by the National Trust, which is acquiring it from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust as one of ten museums in a wider change of management announced for 2026.

How do I plan a visit?

Visits currently run on a pre-booked basis. Each one begins with a short introductory talk, followed by free exploration of the exhibits. On selected dates there are extra events, such as tile-decorating workshops, which also need advance booking. Opening days and hours change, so check the current schedule on the National Trust website before you travel.

The museum combines well with other Ironbridge Gorge sights. Nearby you will find remains of old industrial works, walking routes along the Severn and other museums covering the region's industrial past. It is easy to fill a whole day.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book in advance? Yes, visits are currently planned with advance booking. Check the latest rules before you arrive.

Who runs the museum? The National Trust, which is taking it over from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

What period do the displays cover? The years 1840 to 1960, the heyday of British decorative tiles.

Where exactly is the museum? In the village of Jackfield, on the south bank of the Severn, near Broseley in Shropshire.

Is it a good stop for design lovers? Yes. You will see patterns and decorating methods that shaped British interiors for more than a century.