Elizabethan House Museum

About the museum

The Elizabethan House Museum is a merchant's house on the quayside at Great Yarmouth, built around 1596 for the merchant Benjamin Cowper. Over the centuries it was changed and extended by its wealthy occupants, and wood-panelled rooms, richly decorated ceilings and a grand staircase still show these phases.

The house is best known for its links with Oliver Cromwell, who is said to have visited the Yarmouth merchant John Carter, who bought the house in 1635. The building became a meeting place for Parliamentarians during the Civil War, and tradition holds that the fate of Charles I was discussed here in November 1648. From 1667 some fourteen different families lived in the house. In 1870 it was bought by the Aldred family, and Mary Aldred later left it to the National Trust. Her sister Blanche remained as a tenant until 1949.

Today the house is owned by the National Trust and run by Norfolk Museums Service. Its rooms hold furniture, paintings and other collections from Norfolk Museums, and visitors can follow the story from Tudor times to the Victorian era. The Conspiracy Room explores the Cromwell connection, a bedroom lets families try on replica Tudor costume, and the Victorian kitchen and scullery show life above and below stairs, including the household technology of the period.

Highlights

• Merchant's house built around 1596 on the South Quay
• The Conspiracy Room and the link to Oliver Cromwell
• Replica Tudor costumes to try on in the bedroom
• Victorian kitchen and scullery
• Antique furniture and artworks in panelled rooms

Permanent exhibitions

• The house and its collections – Period rooms with antique furniture and artworks, including the Conspiracy Room and a hands-on Tudor bedroom.
• Victorian kitchen and scullery – Life above and below stairs in a Victorian household, with the household technology of the time.

Operated by

Norfolk Museums Service (owned by the National Trust)

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are the published 2025 prices. Entry is free with a Norfolk Museums Pass and for National Trust members.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is no lift, so access for wheelchairs and pushchairs is limited to the ground floor rooms. A video virtual tour at reception shows the upper floor. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Families can dress up in replica Tudor costume in the bedroom and explore the Victorian kitchen and scullery. Pushchair access is limited to the ground floor because there is no lift.

Getting there & parking

In the historic South Quay area close to the town hall. From the A143 follow the brown signs; from the A47 at Vauxhall roundabout take the second exit, then the third exit at the next roundabout and follow signs for the historic South Quay.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

Gift shop and public toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit