Lanman Museum

About the museum

The Lanman Museum grew out of the collection of Harold Lanman (1893-1979), an antique dealer in Framlingham who began collecting local objects in the 1930s. A local exhibition in 1953 attracted around 700 exhibits lent by 86 people, and this success led to a permanent museum, which opened in 1957 in a room on Market Hill. It later moved to Double Street and in 1979 to the Court House in Bridge Street, when a separate charitable trust took over its running.

In 1984 English Heritage offered space in the Poorhouse at Framlingham Castle, where the museum has remained on the first floor. It is run by an independent charity and is accepted by English Heritage as part of the castle's visitor offer. Collecting is limited to objects from within about five miles of the town.

The collection began with late Victorian and Edwardian items and now ranges from medieval times to the Second World War. It includes farm and household tools, trade tools, a funeral bier, clocks, paintings by local artists, railway objects from the former Framlingham branch line and a complete run of the Framlingham Weekly News from 1859 to 1938. Medieval gold jewellery found nearby and two Faberge objects given to the surgeon Sir Henry Thompson are also shown. Volunteer stewards staff the museum in the summer months.

Highlights

• Objects from the daily life of Framlingham from medieval times to the Second World War
• Complete run of the Framlingham Weekly News from 1859 to 1938
• Medieval gold jewellery found locally
• Two Faberge objects given to Sir Henry Thompson, surgeon to Queen Victoria
• Railway objects from the former Framlingham branch line

Permanent exhibition

• Framlingham through the centuries – Household and farm tools, clocks, paintings, railway objects, wartime items and local newspapers show daily life in Framlingham from medieval times to the Second World War.

Founded

1957

Operated by

The Lanman Museum (independent charitable trust)

Admission & discounts

There is no additional charge to enter the museum; it is reached with an admission ticket for Framlingham Castle (English Heritage). The prices shown are the lowest castle prices (off-peak days, booked online in advance); standard and peak days cost more (adult £13.85 and £15.38) and tickets bought at the gate cost more still (adult from £14.50). English Heritage members enter free. Prices exclude the optional Gift Aid donation.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 is on the first floor of the Poorhouse. The normal route is at the end of the castle wall walk, which is reached by steep stone spiral stairs. There is also a lift to the first floor with level access to the museum; visitors who need the lift should contact English Heritage staff. With permission from the staff, the museum can also be reached from the castle exhibition hall by the easier wooden staircase, which is normally the one-way exit route.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is inside Framlingham Castle on the first floor of the Poorhouse, above the castle's exhibition area.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

There are no facilities inside the museum. In the castle building there are toilets, a café with hot and cold drinks and light snacks, a gift shop and a picnic area. No visitor wifi is mentioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit