Lydia Eva & Mincarlo
Two preserved fishing vessels run by a charitable trust: the 1930 steam drifter Lydia Eva and the 1961 side-winder trawler Mincarlo.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Lydia Eva & Mincarlo Charitable Trust preserves two historic fishing vessels and shows them to the public. The steam drifter Lydia Eva (YH89) was built in 1930 in Great Yarmouth and fished the east coast and the North Sea for nine years. The Royal Air Force bought her in 1939, and she was used in several roles until she was laid up in 1969. The Maritime Trust acquired her in 1971 and restored her as a floating museum in Great Yarmouth. The Lydia Eva Charitable Trust was formed in 1989, and she was towed back to Great Yarmouth in June 1990.
The Mincarlo (LT412) was launched on 25 September 1961 by Brooke Marine in Lowestoft, one of three sister ships built for W. H. Podd Ltd. She is a side-winder trawler, which means that the nets were handled over the side of the ship. She fished for cod, plaice, haddock, skate and sole until June 1975, was then converted into a standby vessel for gas rigs in the southern North Sea and renamed Putford Merlin, and was laid up in 1989. The trust bought her for one pound, restored her and opened her to the public in 1998. Her restored main engine is run on certain days.
The Mincarlo is moored for public access at Heritage Quay in Lowestoft. The Lydia Eva normally lies at South Quay in Great Yarmouth but has been moved to Heritage Quay in Lowestoft until March 2027.
Highlights
- Lydia Eva, steam drifter built in Great Yarmouth in 1930
- Mincarlo, side-winder trawler launched in Lowestoft in 1961
- Restored main engine of the Mincarlo, run on set days
- Boat trips and a murder mystery event on board the Mincarlo
Permanent exhibitions
- Mincarlo, the historic side-winder trawler – A restored 1961 trawler that visitors can explore, with her main engine run on set days.
- Lydia Eva, the steam drifter – A steam drifter built in 1930 that served as a floating museum in Great Yarmouth.
- Operated by
- Lydia Eva & Mincarlo Charitable Trust Ltd
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 Mincarlo is reached by a gangway that is not suitable for wheelchairs, and some parts of the vessel are reached by stairs or ladders (according to a Heritage Open Days listing). The trust's own website gives no access information.
Kids & families
The Mincarlo is described as a historic vessel with hidden clues to find. The ships have stairs and ladders, and no family facilities are listed.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The nearest railway station is about a quarter of a mile north of the Mincarlo, just over the bridge.
By car
Parking available
The nearest public car park is Royal Green Car Park, about 200 yards south of the Mincarlo.
The Mincarlo is moored at Heritage Quay, near the RNLI lifeboat station in Lowestoft. When the Lydia Eva is in Great Yarmouth, she lies at South Quay; the nearest public car park there is on Hall Quay, about 150 yards away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The Lydia Eva can be hired for private events by telephone enquiry.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The Mincarlo hosts Murder on the Mincarlo, a two to three hour interactive murder mystery run by Jet Adventures, with a boat ride on Lake Lothing. Bookings and enquiries are made by telephone. |
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