Seething Control Tower Museum

About the museum

The museum stands in the control tower of the former Seething airfield in Norfolk, which was Station 146 of the US Eighth Air Force. From December 1943 until April 1945 the 448th Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberator bombers from the field. The group’s first mission took place on 22 December 1943 and its last on 25 April 1945. The museum records 262 missions and 499 men who died while training or serving at Seething.

The tower was restored in the 1980s and is now cared for by volunteers as a memorial to the group. Displays on two floors show daily life at the airfield during the war, with photographs, uniforms and other memorabilia. A narrow staircase leads to the upper floor, and a former wartime Nissen hut behind the tower holds further exhibits and shows the kind of building that once provided offices and accommodation. A memorial to those who served stands on the lawn beside the tower.

The museum also keeps an archive of tens of thousands of documents and pictures, which volunteers are digitising, and some of the archive photographs can be viewed online. Restoration continues, including the rebuilding of the weather observatory on the tower roof and work to make the balcony safe for visitors.

Highlights

• Restored wartime control tower of RAF Seething (Station 146)
• Displays on the US 448th Bomb Group and daily life at the airfield, 1943–1945
• Archive of wartime documents and photographs, partly viewable online
• Wartime Nissen hut with additional exhibits
• Memorial to the airmen on the lawn beside the tower

Permanent exhibitions

• Life at Seething airfield 1943–1945 – Displays in the control tower show daily life at the airfield during the war and the story of the 448th Bomb Group, with photographs and memorabilia on two floors.
• Nissen hut – A former wartime hut behind the tower with additional exhibits, showing the type of building used for offices and accommodation at the airfield.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry and parking are free. Donations towards the upkeep of the tower can be made through the museum website, and profits from the small shop go to maintaining the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 upper floor, with the photograph collections, is reached by a narrow staircase. The museum’s website gives no information on wheelchair access or accessible toilets, so visitors with mobility needs should email the museum before visiting.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the entrance to Seething airfield on Toad Lane. OS grid reference TM315955; what3words ///lonely.lengthen.shortcuts.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A small cafe serves homemade cakes and, in recent seasons, hot food such as burgers. A small shop sells memorabilia, clothing and books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit