Things to do in Suffolk, England: The Best Museums

Former Air raid Shelter from World War 2 converted into a museum.

Benjamin Britten was one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. He wrote a vast amount of incredible music and wanted everyone to enjoy it – professional and amateur musicians, music enthusiasts, children and families. He was born in 1913 and raised in Lowestoft, and Suffolk was the backdrop for nearly his entire life. At The Red House in Aldeburgh he lived with Peter Pears, his muse and life partner, for nearly two decades until his death in 1976. As well as exploring Britten’s music, visitors to The Red House can see his and Pears’ eclectic collection of art, books and objects, wander around their gardens, and discover more about their lives. Please note: following the government’s announcement of a new national lockdown from Thursday 5 November, the buildings at The Red House will close to visitors.

Our Museum is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Alfred Corry lifeboat. The Alfred Corry was the Southwold No 1 lifeboat from 1893 to 1918. She is a Norfolk and Suffolk type sailing and pulling lifeboat. She was dedicated on the Easter Monday of 1893 and during her 25 years of Royal National Lifeboat Institutions (RNLI) service she was launched 41 times and she and her crew are credited with saving 47 lives. After retiring from RNLI service the vessel passed through the hands of several private owners. Each owner modified her to meet their own particular requirements. She has now been restored to her original lifeboat form by members of the museum trust. The name Alfred Corry is taken from the benefactor Mr Alfred James Corry (1858-1892) who left a bequest of £1,500 "for the building, fitting out and equipping of one lifeboat" in his will. The Alfred Corry is housed in the ex Cromer Lifeboat Shed which was originally installed on the end of Cromer pier. Designed and built in 1923 the shed was partially dismantled and shipped to Southwold in 1998 where it was reassembled and restored by local artisans and members of the trust. For many years Mr Henry Blogg GC BEM (1876-1954) who is the most highly decorated RNLI lifeboat man was the long serving Coxswain of the Cromer lifeboat and he helped design and modify aspects of the shed. The museum tells the story of the Alfred Corry and her crew throughout her RNLI career and her subsequent 'adventures'. We also have displays on the restoration of both the vessel and shed. These are all put in the context of the history of Southwold and its people through the ages. The displays are updated and changed on a regular basis. We positively welcome school parties and educational visits.

DUE TO THE CURRENT SITUATION WE ARE SORRY BUT WE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Please check the website for further information. The 390th Bomb Group Memorial Air Museum and the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation are housed in the original war time control tower, associated quanset (nissan) huts, and include the Percy Kindred Library and cafe. Situated on open fields the museum is signposted from the A12 North of Woodbridge after passing through Little Glemham. We are open on Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday’s from the first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October and also on Wednesdays during June, July and August. FREE Kids activites:- Ink Stamper Trail, Lego Table, Activity Sheet FREE parking, FREE Admission DONATIONS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

Covid-19 Update: To protect our community and volunteers during the current pandemic, we will be remaining closed for the time being. We'll be reviewing this over the year, and in line with government advice. We have big plans for 2021, and look forward to sharing them with you when we can. Please check here, our facebook page, or our website for updates. We will reassess this later in the year and hope to reopen as soon as we can. The Museum is housed inside Broad House, a grade 2 listed building dating from 1685, in the grounds of Nicholas Everitt Park. Lowestoft Museum collects, preserves and displays objects relating to the history of the area and its people, and promotes awareness and interest in our rich heritage.

NHRM & Palace House Estate is a 5-acre site in the heart of Newmarket. It comprises three complementary attractions; National Horseracing Museum in the Trainer’s House and King’s Yard Galleries, Packard Galleries of British Sporting Art in Palace House, and a chance to meet former racehorses in the flagship home of Retraining of Racehorses. We have a fabulous restaurant and gift shop onsite and visits can take from 3 hours to a full day, and sometimes even more…!

TEMPORARILY CLOSED - Gainsborough’s House explores the life and art of Thomas Gainsborough. One of the greatest artists of his age, he is renowned throughout the world for his portrait and landscape paintings. The house, ‘a most excellent Brickt Mansion,’ was bought by John Gainsborough, the artist’s father, in May 1722. Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) was born in Sudbury and was baptized there at the Independent Meeting-House in Friars Street on 14 May 1727. He lived here until around 1740 when, as a young teenager, he was sent to London to pursue a career as an artist. He returned to Sudbury in the spring of 1749 until 1752 when he painted his celebrated Mr and Mrs Andrews. He never lost the influence of his native town and county. ‘Nature was his teacher, and the woods of Suffolk his academy,’ noted an obituary after his death in 1788.