Parham Airfield Museum

About the museum

Parham Airfield was built during the Second World War and used by the US 390th Bombardment Group from 1943 to 1945. After the war ended the runways were broken up and the buildings fell into disrepair. The old control tower was damaged and abandoned, but a group of enthusiasts began restoring it in 1976, and it was dedicated as a memorial to the group and its airmen in May 1981.

Today the museum occupies the restored control tower and neighbouring buildings. The 390th Bomb Group Memorial Air Museum shows aircraft parts, uniforms, photographs, documents and personal memorabilia from the American Eighth Air Force, the RAF and the German Luftwaffe, as well as a Veterans' Wall carrying the signatures of former airmen. The tower has a viewing roof over the former airfield.

A second museum, housed in a hut beside the tower, tells the story of the British Resistance Organisation. This was a secret force of trained civilians, the Auxiliary Units, created in 1940 to fight behind enemy lines if Germany had invaded Britain. Visitors can learn about its hidden bases, weapons and radio network. The museums are run by volunteers as a registered charity and also keep archives on both subjects.

Highlights

• Restored wartime control tower with a viewing roof
• Veterans' Wall signed by former airmen
• Aircraft parts, uniforms and wartime memorabilia
• Separate museum of the British Resistance Organisation
• Military vehicles and a photo gallery
• Archive of records on the 390th Bomb Group

Permanent exhibitions

• 390th Bomb Group Memorial Air Museum – Displays in the restored control tower on the US 390th Bomb Group, with aircraft parts, uniforms, photographs, a Veterans' Wall and a viewing roof.
• Museum of the British Resistance Organisation – A museum on the secret Auxiliary Units that were trained to resist an invasion of Britain in the Second World War.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Parham Airfield Museum (registered charity no. 1201587)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. The museum is a charity that depends on donations and volunteers.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Some parts of the museum cannot be reached in a wheelchair because of the old buildings. The tearoom, gift shop and toilets are accessible, and there is an easy-access toilet with a hand-rail. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children can use activity booklets, treasure hunt leaflets, colouring books, pencils and crayons, and try on dress-up uniforms and equipment. Small pocket-money toys are sold.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about one mile south-west of Great Glemham, east of the B1116 Hacheston to Framlingham road. Follow the brown tourist signs and the small Air Museum signs. Sat nav postcode IP13 9AF; what3words: scanner.baseless.mimic.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Large modern tearoom with hot and cold drinks and light refreshments, and a gift shop with clothing, books and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi in the café, the shop and the Kindred Exhibition Hall. Picnic tables stand outside the shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit