MUSEUMS

ANCIENT HOUSE MUSEUM OF THETFORD LIFE

Set in a beautiful timber-framed Tudor merchant’s house, this atmospheric museum tells the remarkable story of the Brecks and the people who have made their home here. Their story is told through rich collections, audio guides, films and animations. Discover Thetford’s connection with Sikh hero, Maharajah Duleep Singh, whose second son, Prince Frederick, founded the museum; and Thomas Paine, revolutionary philosopher whose works include the Rights of Man. 

Address: White Hart Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1AA
Email: ancienthouse@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01842 752599
BIRCHAM WINDMILL
Come and enjoy this family run attraction with something for everyone. Bake some bread, climb to the top of the mill or play in the garden. Sample some homemade bread, cakes and cheese, all on sale in our tearooms and available to take home from our bakery. There’s a gift shop, gallery, mini museum and regular events through the season. Camp site and shepherd's huts are also available. 

Address: Snettisham Road, Great Bircham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6SJ
Email: info@birchamwindmill.co.uk
Phone: 01485 578393
CITY OF NORWICH AVIATION MUSEUM
The collection features a massive Vulcan bomber and some of the military and civil aircraft which have flown from Norfolk airfields. Indoor exhibitions recall the local presence of the American 8th Army Air Force. The RAF 100 Group Association collection is presented in a special section devoted to Bomber Command. Other displays show the history of RAF Horsham St Faith and the role of women in aviation, as well as tell of the heroes and pioneers who have made local aviation history.

Address: Old Norwich Road, Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, NR10 3JF
Email: admin@cnam.org.uk
Phone: 01603 893080
CROMER MUSEUM
Step inside this cosy Victorian fisherman's cottage and imagine what it was like to live in Cromer at the end of the 19th century. Discover Cromer’s history as a Victorian seaside with its fine hotels and scandalous mixed bathing. Browse a huge archive of historic photographs and illustrations of the town. Explore the museum’s amazing collection of fossils – all found in Norfolk – and enjoy fascinating displays revealing why Cromer is renowned as a geological area of international importance.

Address: East Cottages, Tucker Street, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9HB
Email: cromer.museum@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01263 513543
ELIZABETHAN HOUSE MUSEUM
Step back in time as you stroll through the period rooms in this splendid merchant’s house on the quayside. Experience the lives of families who lived here from Tudor to Victorian times. Discover Victorian life ‘upstairs and downstairs’ and discover what it was really like to work in the kitchen and scullery. Dress up on Tudor costumes, enjoy the activity packed toy room and decide for yourself whether the plot to execute Charles I was hatched in the ‘conspiracy room’. 

The Elizabethan House is a National Trust site managed by Norfolk Museums Service.
Address: 4 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2QH
Email: museums@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01493 855746
GRESSENHALL FARM & WORKHOUSE
Take a fascinating journey through the story of rural Norfolk at this museum and traditional farm set in 50 acres of beautiful countryside. 
Discover the stories of the people who lived in the workhouse and hear their tales of tragedy and hope. Stroll through galleries of vintage tools and tradesman’s equipment and find out about the work of the Women’s Land Army. Wander through old village shops, the farmhouse kitchen, cottage gardens, chapel, Victorian schoolroom and orchard.
The working farm has Suffolk Punch heavy horses and local breeds of sheep, cattle and pigs. There’s a wonderful adventure playground where kids can let off steam and extra activities during school holidays.
Address: Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4DR

Address: Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4DR
Email: gressenhall.museum@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01362 860563
LYNN MUSEUM
This delightful museum tells the story of West Norfolk. Step back in time as you encounter Seahenge, an astonishing Bronze Age timber circle. Find out how this ancient wooden structure amazingly survived for 4,000 years and learn about the people who crafted the timbers. Browse the ‘West Norfolk Story’ and see gold coins from Roman times; imagine being a pilgrim in the thriving medieval port of Kings’ Lynn or riding on a magnificent Victorian merry-go-round.

With thousands of objects, interactive displays and audio guides, there’s plenty to fascinate visitors of all ages.

Address: Market Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1NL
Email: lynn.museum@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01553 775001
MUCKLEBURGH MILITARY COLLECTION
Including tanks, armoured cars, bombs, artillery and missiles used by the Allied armies during World War II, it incorporates the Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry Museum of uniforms, weapons, photographs and documents, RAF Reconnaissance and Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft. There are items of artillery used in the Falkland Islands and uniforms, weapons and other equipment recovered from coalition and Iraqi armies in the Gulf War. Some post-war aircraft are on display with a unique collection of model ships. Tank demonstrations and rides make it an exciting day’s visit.

Address: Weybourne Military Camp, Weybourne, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7EG
Phone: 01263 588210

MUSEUM OF NORWICH AT THE BRIDEWELL

Discover the stories of a fine city and its people at this delightful museum located in the heart of the historic Norwich lanes. 

Find out about the city’s rich industrial heritage, including heavy engineering, aircraft manufacture, textiles and making mustard, chocolate and crackers. Highlights include the world’s first ever wire netting machine, a chocolate enrobing machine, a beautifully restored 19th century Jacquard loom and a wonderful recreation of an early 20th century pharmacist’s shop.

Beneath the building is the largest vaulted undercroft in the city. This is where inmates were held when the building was a Bridewell (a house of correction and prison). There are guided tours of the undercroft, usually once a month. Check website or ring for details.

Address: Bridewell Alley, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1AQ
Phone: 01603 629127
Website: www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
NORWICH CASTLE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
One of the city’s most famous landmarks, Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. Step into the world of Boudica, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Discover historic treasures and wonderful collections of archaeology, costume and natural history. With events, activities and a changing exhibition programme, there’s something to fascinate and inspire.

Address: Farmers Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JU
Email: museums@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01603 493625
RAF AIR DEFENCE RADAR MUSEUM
The Museum tells the story of air defence and radar from 1935 to date. Using a combination of a guided tour and over 20 themed rooms, the visitor is encouraged to find out about this previously secret world. Many of the exhibits are 'hands-on', and visitors can join in and experience life as a fighter controller or sit in the cockpit of a Jaguar aircraft. Take a break for some light refreshments in Crumbs Cafe including locally produced Norfolk pasties, sausage rolls, toasties and other snacks. We also allow you to bring your own food and enjoy it in our picnic area. If you bring your dog, we can arrange to 'park' it while you enjoy the tour.

Address: Bird's Lane, Nr Horning, Norfolk, NR12 8YB
Email: curator@radarmuseum.co.uk
Phone: 01692 631485
STRANGERS’ HALL NORWICH
Wander through a maze of passages to discover a series of inter-linked rooms with period settings. See the Tudor Great Hall, the fine Georgian dining room and the magnificent stone-vaulted undercroft. Admire Lady Paine's 17th century bedroom and the panelled Walnut room and find out how people lived in the past. Enjoy delightful collections of historic toys and a cellar full of colourful shop signs. In fine weather, take a stroll in the lavender filled garden. Find out who the strangers were and maybe even meet a costumed character from times gone by.

Address: Charing Cross, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4AL
Phone: 01603 667229
TOLHOUSE GAOL GREAT YARMOUTH
Visit one of the oldest prisons in the country, dating back to the 12th century. Explore Great Yarmouth’s story of crime and punishment and the fate of thieves, smugglers, witches, pirates and murderers at a time when the penalty could be transportation or execution.
Visit the original cells and learn about the lives of the people who were confined here. There’s a Use the free audio guide to hear the gaoler and his prisoners describe their experiences.

Address: Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2SH
Email: yarmouth.museums@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01493 858900
Website: www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
THURSFORD COLLECTION
Thursford Collection is open during the summer as a working museum of mechanical organs, Wurlitzer shows, silent movies, old fashioned fairground carousels and static displays of both fairground engines and road engines and all kinds of related memorabilia. There is also a behind-the-scenes tour that takes in dressing rooms, costume stores, wardrobe, Fantasy Island, and an engine yard with videos of how the engines would have been used. During November and December, we stage the nationally acclaimed Christmas Spectacular Shows with a cast of 130 professional singers, dancers and musicians, and the amazing animated Santa's Magical Journey and visit to Father Christmas.

Address: Thursford Green, Thursford, Norfolk, NR21 0AS
Email: booking@thursford.com
Phone: 01328 878477
TIME AND TIDE MUSEUM OF GREAT YARMOUTH LIFE
Step inside one of the UK’s best-preserved Victorian herring curing works to discover the story of Great Yarmouth from its Ice Age origins to the present day.  

Wander down a typical 1913 row and see inside fishermen’s homes and local businesses. Find out about the town’s heyday as a vibrant holiday resort and see souvenirs, postcards, memorabilia and archive photos.  
Explore the original smokehouses where the lingering aroma of smoked fish is a reminder of times gone by. 
Stand at the wheel of a steam drifter and hear gripping tales of wreck and rescue. Soak up the atmosphere of a 1950s fish wharf and discover a host of colourful characters making their living from the sea. 

Address: Time and Tide Museum, Blackfriars Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 3BX
Email: yarmouth.museums@norfolk.gov.uk
Phone: 01493 743930
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