Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre

About the museum

The Maritime Heritage Centre belongs to Rescue Wooden Boats, a registered charity formed in 2011 by four local enthusiasts who wanted to save heritage wooden working boats. The charity acquires, restores and uses such boats and shares the history of the people who built, owned and crewed them.

The centre is in the former Officers’ Mess of the Old Military Camp at Stiffkey on the North Norfolk coast. The building was refurbished for use as a museum, and the charity credits the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Norfolk Coastal Partnership for their support.

The displays tell the story of the lifeboat Lucy Lavers, a veteran of the Dunkirk evacuation, and of working boats and lifeboats in general. Further sections cover local fishing such as crab and whelk fishing, wooden boatbuilding and the fishing communities of the coast, with artefacts and photographs lent or donated by local people. Films record the last generation of fishermen and lifeboatmen to work in wooden boats, and a small display covers the history of the Military Camp.

Highlights

• Story of the Dunkirk veteran lifeboat Lucy Lavers
• Local fishing, crab and whelk fishing and wooden boatbuilding
• Films with fishermen and lifeboatmen who worked in wooden boats
• Display on the history of the Old Military Camp
• Event room for groups and school visits

Permanent exhibitions

• Lucy Lavers and working boats – The story of the Dunkirk veteran lifeboat Lucy Lavers and of working boats, lifeboats and the people who built and crewed them.
• Fishing and boatbuilding of the North Norfolk coast – Artefacts, photographs and films on crab and whelk fishing, wooden boatbuilding and local fishing communities.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Rescue Wooden Boats (registered charity 1144180)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The centre is next to High Sands Creek Campsite on Greenway, Stiffkey.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small shop sells merchandise, postcards and books.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

A multipurpose event room is suitable for groups and school visits; contact the centre for details.

Plan your visit