Ancient House Museum
Late-15th-century Tudor town house in Thetford, a museum of local life with period rooms, a 1901 kitchen and a Tudor garden.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ancient House in Thetford is a timber-framed Tudor town house of the late fifteenth century. It was built as a merchant's house and shop, at a time when Thetford was still a prosperous market town, and is regarded as one of the best surviving early Tudor town houses in East Anglia.
The building opened as a museum in 1924, supported by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, a local antiquarian, and it became part of Norfolk Museums Service in 1974. Over the years the museum has told the story of the town and its people, from prehistoric finds and the Celts, Romans and Vikings through to the 1960s.
Visitors move through period rooms that show how the house was used. The Tudor Hall has the feel of the original merchant's house, the Ancient Householders room introduces some of its former residents, and the 1901 kitchen recreates domestic life at the turn of the twentieth century. The Collectors Room and the History Highlights displays show archaeology and objects from the town, with links to well-known local figures such as the Maharajah Duleep Singh and Thomas Paine. A small Tudor garden lies behind the house.
Highlights
- Late-15th-century Tudor merchant's house
- Authentic 1901 kitchen
- Tudor Hall and Ancient Householders room
- Collectors Room and Thetford archaeology displays
- Links to the Maharajah Duleep Singh and Thomas Paine
Permanent exhibitions
- Tudor Hall and Ancient Householders – Period rooms in the Tudor merchant's house, with displays on the people who once lived there.
- 1901 Kitchen – A recreated kitchen showing domestic life in the house at the start of the twentieth century.
- Collectors Room and History Highlights – Objects and archaeology from Thetford's past, from prehistory to the 1960s.
- Founded
- 1924
- Operated by
- Norfolk Museums Service
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £6.30 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6.10Over 65s, students and disabled people |
| Children & teens | £5.30free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 18; under 4s are free. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | £6.10Over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £6.10companion free · A disabled visitor can bring a companion free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | £6.10 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more get a discount if they book in advance. |
| Families | –A family discount adult ticket costs £5.80 when bought with a paid child ticket. |
| Twilight ticket (one hour before closing) | £2 |
Prices are those listed for 2025; check the museum website for current prices. Entry is free with a Norfolk Museums Pass, for Friends of Ancient House Museum, National Art Pass holders, Museums Association members, foster families, looked-after children and Children's University members. Tickets can be bought on the door or booked online in advance.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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
Assistance dogs are welcome. The ground floor can be reached by ramp, but some doorways are narrow and the upper floor is reached by stairs. A folder showing the upstairs displays is available for visitors who cannot climb the stairs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The museum has learning resources for schools and home-educated children.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the town centre on White Hart Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Museum shop
Museum shop and a small Tudor garden.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group visits, school visits and learning resources for teachers are offered. |
