Burwell Museum

About the museum

Burwell Museum opened in 1992 on the edge of the Fens in Cambridgeshire. It is run entirely by volunteers, and its trustees are volunteers too. The site is built around Stevens' Mill, a 19th-century windmill listed Grade II*, and a group of agricultural buildings. Several of these were moved from other places, including an 18th-century timber-framed barn, while others were put up in the local style from reclaimed materials.

The displays are arranged as scenes that show how objects were used. They cover farming in the Fens, a blacksmith's forge, a Victorian schoolroom, a 1920s haberdashery shop, a telephone exchange with old dial telephones, a Nissen hut that recreates wartime living space and a reconstructed Roman potter's workshop. A collection of vintage vehicles includes a working 1907 Holsman and the last coach of the Burwell and District bus company.

Visitors can take a tour of the windmill, grind flour by hand and see the blacksmith at work on event days. A tea room and a programme of school workshops and family activities complete the museum.

Highlights

• Stevens' Mill, a windmill with interactive tours
• Working blacksmith's forge
• Vintage vehicles including a working 1907 Holsman
• Victorian schoolroom and 1920s haberdashery shop
• Reconstructed 18th-century timber-framed barn and wartime Nissen hut

Permanent exhibitions

• Stevens' Mill – A traditional windmill that visitors can explore on interactive tours focusing on its sounds and atmosphere.
• Vintage vehicles – A rare working 1907 Holsman, an Austin 7, an historic bus, bicycles and prams, and the last Burwell and District coach.
• Victorian schoolroom – Wooden desks, bells, abacuses and inkwells for visitors to try an old-fashioned lesson.

Founded

1992

Admission & discounts

Season ticket holders enter free. The ground floor of the mill is free, where visitors can grind their own flour and watch information videos. Advance tickets bought online carry a small admin fee. Payment at the admission cabin and tea room can be made by cash, cheque, card, Apple Pay or Android Pay.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Disabled parking is available in Mill Close near the museum entrance. Dogs on a lead are welcome on the site but not in the tea room or windmill, except assistance dogs. Children must be at least 1.1m tall to climb the mill ladders; visitors with access needs can contact the museum for advice.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

In the spring and summer school holidays the museum runs craft sessions, trails and demonstrations. Families can grind flour with hand querns, try on junior hard hats and tool belts, and follow trails and activity sheets that can be downloaded before a visit. Exhibits marked with a green hand are for hands-on use. Children must be at least 1.1m tall to climb the mill ladders.

Getting there & parking

Burwell is on National Cycle Routes 11 and 51. Cyclists can ride up to the museum, where there are cycle hoops. The nearest rail station named by the museum is Soham, reached by the T5 bus.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The tea room sells hot and cold drinks and snacks, and also gifts, cards and books. There is a toilet block on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit