Warner's Iron Foundry (EHER 15312)

Late 19th century iron foundry. Various red brick buildings remain now used as cash and carry warehouse. It once served from the Backwater by a canal known as Port Said which was closed after the 1953 floods.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. The site is located west of the junction of Hall Road and Naze Park Road, on the northern side of Walton-on-the-Naze. The foundry was established by Robert Warner, son of John Warner, an iron founder from London. It appears on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1874 (sheet 39.3) <1>, as three rectangular blocks arranged in series; the westernmost being the foundry. Standing beside the coast the works had its own private dock (Port Said) for the transportation of raw materials and finished products; the cut was infilled in the 1950s, after the 1953 floods. A tramway was used to move heavy goods to and from the wharf, and within the foundry. Little remains of the original works due to post-war development; extant features include the manager’s house, a time keeper’s office surmounted by a wooden cupola and a pattern shop with rough cast concrete walls. Of the northern range only a linear single-storey building with gable ends survives, but fronting Hall Road is a large twin gable structure which post dates 1874 (the date of the first edition Ordnance Survey map extract). Ancillary buildings probably erected at the same time include the drill shop used in piano manufacture and a shot blasting shop. A new foundry, built around 1950, also survives with the cupola being located externally along the north wall; this has been demolished and the building lies derelict. Archaeological potential: Only fragments of the original works remain and many of the later buildings have been converted to light industrial uses. The navigation survives as a buried feature. Site significance: The only Essex foundry to be established on the coast and of major historic/technological importance being built as a large integrated complex with docking facilities and internal tramway. Much of the site has been demolished and developed; those buildings which survive are of low significance. Management: If threatened by major works, record RCHME level 2; this should include a block plan, detailed photography and textual synthesis. Prior to any proposed development the docking area should be evaluated and if the remains are of a sufficient quality to be preserved in situ. <2> Additional references <3>