A brief introduction to some of the best of Suffolk’s museums which chart the fascinating and dramatic history of the coast, its people and wildlife

The Suffolk coast has a dramatic and exciting past. Under the influence of man since Neolithic times, the area has been occupied by the Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. Fleets were built in Suffolk by local shipwrights, sea battles raged in Suffolk bays, whilst Suffolk fishermen battled the elements on their way to Iceland and beyond. Meanwhile forests were cleared, sheep grazed on heathland and pasture and local flint, clay and thatch used in the creation of fine churches and merchants buildings – many still standing today.

Whilst many of us think of Suffolk as a rural county, it has produced a catalogue of great intellects, writers, musicians and artists as well as its fair share of inventors, with pioneers in farm machinery and engineering exporting to Russia and beyond. The invention and development of radar at Orfordness and Bawdsey was instrumental in saving Britain from foreign invasion during WWII. Despite such brilliance and technological innovation man has failed in his attempts to stop the relentless invasion of the sea, responsible for the devastation of ports and harbours since the 14th century and today still threatening wildlife habitats, towns and villages along the coast.

A series of delightful and fascinating museums chart the enthralling and mysterious history of the Suffolk coast and its people. We have chosen our personal favourites, which we hope you will enjoy as much as we do.

Beccles & District Museum
Another magnificent building from the 1500s, a private house, a school and now a fine museum with lots of old photographs of Beccles and the Broads, and old artefacts which give a good insight into the people and their work.
Open Tuesday – Sunday (April to October) plus Bank Holidays, 14:30 – 17:30 Admission FREE

www.becclesmuseum.org.uk

Bawdsey Radar Museum - Bawdsey Quay , IP12 3AZ
Featured in the 2005 BBC Restoration series, the museum is made up of wartime concrete bunkers including the old Transmitter Block - the first radar station in the world. Learn about the development of radar and the part it played in winning the Second World War.
Open every Sunday and Bank holiday Mondays from 18 June to 17 September, 12:00 – 16:00 Special visits by arrangement Admission FREE www.bawdseyradargroup.co.uk

Aldeburgh Museum – The Moot Hall, Aldeburgh, IP15 5DS
A fine, wood-framed Tudor building, which has served as the Town Hall since 1520. The Museum contains fascinating maps, paintings and some interesting early items from Sutton Hoo. Open May to September daily, 14:30 – 17:00, Admission £1.00 (accompanied children Free)

Dunwich Museum – St James Street, Dunwich, IP17 3DT.
Dunwich has a fantastical history, once one of the largest ports in England, where some of the great naval ships of the Elizabethan period were built. Today Dunwich is little more than a small seaside hamlet. The museum's fascinating display charts the history of Dunwich over the last 1500 years.
Open daily 1 April to 30 September, 11:30 – 16:30 Admission FREE

Felixstowe Museum – Viewpoint Road, Felixstowe
The last surviving building of the Submarine Mining Establishment (1878) in a great position overlooking the harbour just outside Landguard Fort. There is an emphasis on military history, as well as some excellent displays on local history and paddle steamers; there are some fascinating maps, photographs and paintings.
Open Wednesdays & Sundays, May to September,13:00 – 17:30 Admission: Adults £1, Children 50p www.landguard.com

Halesworth Museum – The Station, Halesworth, IP19 8BZ
Situated in the railway station, a phenomenon in itself having the only moveable platform in the country, Halesworth Museum has some excellent archaeological and geological exhibits as well as loads of information about the history of the area, including a celebration of two renowned plant hunters and their association with Halesworth. Sir William Hooker the first Director of Kew Gardens and his son, Sir Joseph Hooker, the second Director of Kew Gardens.
Open May to September, Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00-12:30 & 14:00-16:00
Thursday & Saturday 10:00-12:30, Bank Holidays 14:00-16:00

Lanman Museum – Framlingham Castle, IP13 9BP
Part of Framlingham Castle, the museum charts the enthralling history of Framlingham through paintings, prints and drawings. Good collection of agricultural tools, artefacts and memorabilia.
Open daily 1 Apr – 30 Sep 10:00-18:00, 1 Oct-31 Mar 10:00-16:00 Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun Entry included in Framlingham Castle tickets www.english-heritage.org.uk

The Longshop Museum - Main Street, Leiston, IP16 4ES
One of the most influential local families were the Garretts who created a small empire with their steam powered engines and machinery, exported all over the world. Philanthropists, they were also responsible for a lot of local good works. The history of the family and the machinery they produced is all excellently displayed here.
Open Easter – October, Monday – Saturday 10:00- 17:00, Sunday 11:00-17:00
Admission: Adults £4, Children £2 www.longshop.care4free.net

Saxmundham Museum - 49 High Street, Saxmundham
Another good intro to the history of the town, but for train enthusiasts having the added advantage of a scale model of the Saxmundham Railway Station with working trains. There is also a recreation of the Saxmundham Playhouse cinema.
Open April to September, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 – 16:00 Admission Free www.saxmundham.org/touristinfo/museum.html

Do visit The Sailors' Reading Room and The Lifeboat Museum as well

Southwold Museum - 9 -11 Victoria Street, Southwold, IP18 6HZ
The building itself is fascinating and it houses an excellent exhibition relating to the natural history of Southwold as well as providing a vignette of the history of this most fascinating and active town.
Open Good Friday – October 31, 14:00 – 16:00, plus 10:30 – 12:00 during August Admission Free www.southwoldmuseum.org

Walberswick Heritage Centre - The Green, Walberswick
Some good local maps and photographic coverage of the history of Walberswick village and a really fascinating film Wild Coasts and Ancient Heaths (20 minutes) which provides an excellent insight into the natural history of the whole Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Open July – Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, daily throughout August, 14:00 – 17:00. Admission Free

Woodbridge Museum - Market Hill, Woodbridge, IP12
Tells the story of Woodbridge, from its Anglo-Saxon roots and the discovery of Sutton Hoo to the present day; with particular emphasis on some of the Woodbridge greats; Thomas Seckford, Thomas Churchyard, Edward FitzGerald and the rest.
Open Easter to the end of October, Thursday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, daily during school holidays, 10:00 – 16:00. Admission Adults £1, children 30p