Dad's Army Museum
Volunteer-run museum in the Old Fire Station in Thetford, the filming location of Dad’s Army, telling the story of the BBC comedy series.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Dad’s Army Museum opened in December 2007 in the Old Fire Station in Thetford, the Norfolk town that stood in for the fictional Walmington-on-Sea when the BBC comedy series was filmed. It tells the story of the programme, which remains one of the best-loved British comedies, and thousands of visitors come to Thetford each year to see the filming locations.
The museum is run independently by a team of volunteers and is a registered charity. It also organises private visits for coach parties, talks and tours by prior arrangement. The Marigold Tea Rooms, designed in the style of the 1940s, opened in 2011 and serve home-made cakes made to wartime recipes and tea from traditional teapots.
The museum owns Jones’s butcher’s van from the series, which is normally on display at the nearby Charles Burrell Museum. Friends of the museum receive a newsletter and an annual newspaper, and a self-guided audio walking tour of the filming sites in Thetford is available.
Highlights
- Story of the BBC series Dad’s Army in its filming town
- Home in the Old Fire Station
- 1940s-style Marigold Tea Rooms
- Jones’s butcher’s van on display at the Charles Burrell Museum
- Self-guided audio walking tour of the filming locations
Permanent exhibition
- Dad’s Army museum – The story of the BBC television series Dad’s Army and its connection with Thetford, which stood in for Walmington-on-Sea.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Dad’s Army Museum Thetford (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free.
Accessibility
- 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
The museum describes itself as wheelchair friendly. Dogs are welcome, except in the tea room.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no car parking at the museum, but several free car parks are nearby.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The 1940s-style Marigold Tea Rooms serve home-made cakes and tea; last orders are at 14:30. Merchandise is sold in an online shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Private visits for coach groups, talks and tours can be arranged in advance and depend on availability. A self-guided audio walking tour of the filming sites in Thetford is available through the VoiceMap app, and event tickets are sold online. |
