Bawdsey Radar

About the museum

Bawdsey was the site of the first operational radar chain, developed in the mid-1930s and central to Britain's air defence in the Second World War. Its Transmitter Block was opened to the public in July 2003, when about 950 people came to a day that had been expected to attract only a handful. That interest led to the founding of the Bawdsey Radar Group, which became a charitable trust in 2008, the Bawdsey Radar Trust.

In 2004 the building was shown in the BBC series Restoration about endangered historic buildings and reached fourth place in the final, which brought national attention to the site. A Heritage Lottery grant paid for an oral history project with people who had served at Bawdsey. In 2016 and 2017 a major restoration, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and others, turned the derelict block into a building with a sustainable future and an award-winning exhibition.

Today visitors can follow the development and use of radar from the 1930s through the war to the present day, with interactive displays, a timeline wall, an aircraft tracking simulation, an air traffic control display and a research space with a technical archive. The museum is run by volunteers.

Highlights

• Conserved Transmitter Block of the world's first radar station
• Interactive exhibits on the story of radar
• Timeline wall from 1935 to the present
• Aircraft tracking simulation using Second World War radar
• Research space with technical archive

Permanent exhibition

• Bawdsey Radar exhibition – Interactive displays in the Transmitter Block on the story of radar, the people who kept it secret, a timeline from 1935, aircraft tracking and radar today.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Bawdsey Radar Trust

Admission & discounts

Friends of Bawdsey are admitted free. Group booking rates are available by phone. Card payments are preferred.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The exhibition space was designed for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility; the entrance ramp is gently sloped and there is plenty of room to move around. Toilets are close to the entrance with level access on smooth paths, and the accessible toilet has a door width of 85 cm. The museum is built into a hill so the approach is on a slight slope. Visitors can be dropped off at the entrance, and the car park is 30 metres from the museum. If more than one wheelchair user is in the party, the museum asks to be told in advance. Assistance dogs are allowed inside; other dogs are not. Three sound clips in the Air Filtration Room have a video transcript.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Interactive exhibits and a simulation experience bring the story of radar to life; children up to 18 are admitted free.

Getting there & parking

By car from Woodbridge, the Transmitter Block is off the B1083, one mile beyond Bawdsey village; the what3words address is ///affirming.joys.scuba. There is no access to the Transmitter Block through PGL at Bawdsey Manor.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Gift shop in the Transmitter Block and online. There is a picnic area with picnic tables, shade and a water bowl for dogs. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit