Mundesley Maritime Museum
Tiny volunteer-run museum in a 1928 coastguard lookout above the beach at Mundesley, with changing displays on local maritime and railway history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Mundesley Maritime Museum is housed in a coastguard lookout tower on The Lees, overlooking the beach at Mundesley on the North Norfolk coast. The present tower was built in 1928 to replace an earlier building. It is believed to be one of the smallest museums in England and is accredited by Arts Council England. The museum is run by volunteers for Mundesley Parish Council.
Its displays change every year. Past themes have included the Mundesley Railway, the Mundesley Minefield, lifeboats, shipwrecks, the fishing industry and local fossils such as mammoth, elephant and hippopotamus remains. A recent refurbishment aimed to make the museum as interactive as possible, and volunteers are happy for visitors to handle exhibits where they can.
The first floor recreates a coastguard lookout of the 1930s and 1940s with a tide clock, foghorn and binoculars, next to modern radar and radio equipment. Volunteers of the National Coastwatch Institution still keep a visual watch from the tower.
Highlights
- Coastguard lookout tower built in 1928
- Displays that change every year
- Local fossils including mammoth and hippopotamus remains
- Recreated 1930s–40s coastguard lookout upstairs
- Hands-on handling of some exhibits
- Operated by
- Mundesley Parish Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; there is a donation pot.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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
Tourism listings say that dogs other than guide dogs are not accepted.
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
Children are welcome according to tourism listings, and some exhibits can be handled.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
North Walsham railway station is about 5 miles away.
By car
Paid parking
Tourism listings mention paid parking nearby.
Take the B1159 from Cromer or the B1145 from North Walsham and follow the signs to the beach.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Good to know | Volunteers are happy for visitors to handle exhibits where possible. Coastwatch volunteers also monitor and log vessels from the tower. |
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