Bungay Museum

About the museum

Bungay Museum was opened in 1963 by Lilias Rider Haggard, daughter of the author Sir Henry Rider Haggard. The first collection was put together with the help of John Gibbs, the town clerk of the former urban district council, and Dr Hugh Cane, a local doctor who became the first curator. Gifts from the Rider Haggard family, the local historian Ethel Mann and many other local people added to it over the years.

In 1976 the museum became a charitable trust, with the district council acting as guardian trustee. When the district councils merged in 2021 this role passed to Bungay Town Council. The Bungay Museum Trust still runs the museum with support from the town and depends on donations and visitors to fund its work.

The museum occupies two rooms on the first floor of the Town Council Offices in Broad Street. Its collections include a large geology collection, archaeological finds from the Palaeolithic to the post-medieval period and a display of finds from Bungay Castle. Other displays look at local folklore, farming and social history, shops and businesses, and the experiences of the two World Wars.

Highlights

• Extensive geology collection
• Archaeological finds from the Palaeolithic to post-medieval periods
• Finds from Bungay Castle
• Displays on folklore, farming, shops and local businesses
• Local experiences of the two World Wars

Permanent exhibition

• Bungay Museum displays – Geology, archaeology from the Palaeolithic onwards, finds from Bungay Castle, folklore, shops and businesses, and the two World Wars in the Waveney Valley.

Founded

1963

Operated by

Bungay Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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

The museum rooms are on the first floor and are reached by a staircase, so the museum is not currently accessible to wheelchair users. The museum hopes to change this in future.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Town Council Offices in Broad Street, in the centre of Bungay.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit