Wind Energy Museum

About the museum

The Wind Energy Museum stands in Repps with Bastwick, near the River Thurne in Norfolk. It is also known as the Morse Collection, after Ronald "Bob" Morse, whose lifelong fascination with windmills and wind pumps began in Sussex when he was a child. In 1947, at a time when many older windmills were being demolished, he bought the derelict white tower mill at Thurne. That mill, built in 1820, was saved and is now one of the most photographed landmarks in the area.

The museum shows more than a century of wind power history, from traditional windmills and wind pumps to the early machines that led to modern renewable energy. It is set in about 2.5 acres of landscaped grounds, where full-size wind pumps from the United Kingdom and abroad stand outdoors. Exhibits include a Wallis & Titt Simplex wind pump, a Monitor wind pump, a Littlewoods wind pump, a Lucas Freelite wind turbine, a working scoop wheel and a Holmes steam engine.

Working demonstrations show how the drainage of the Norfolk marshes worked, and an indoor model museum and a 1912 engineering workshop add detail. Guided tours are given on open days, children's activities are provided, and a tea room serves refreshments. The museum also hosts groups, workshops and school visits, and the grounds can be hired for events.

Highlights

• Full-size wind pumps from the UK and abroad
• Working demonstrations of Norfolk drainage history
• Lucas Freelite wind turbine and working scoop wheel
• Indoor model museum and 1912 engineering workshop
• Guided tours at 11:30 and 14:30 on open days

Permanent exhibitions

• Wind pumps and wind machines – Full-size wind pumps and historic wind-powered machines in the grounds, including a working scoop wheel that shows how Norfolk's marshes were drained.
• Indoor model museum – Models of wind-powered machines and exhibits on the history of wind energy inside the museum buildings.

Founded

2014

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum lists children's activities, and visitors can test how turbines with different numbers of blades generate power.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the road signs from Church Road in Repps with Bastwick to Staithe Road.

Amenities & dining

• Café

A tea room serves refreshments.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The grounds and indoor and outdoor spaces can be hired for events such as car rallies, photography and filming, workshops, educational visits, corporate functions, team-building days and community gatherings. Ample free on-site parking is mentioned.

Plan your visit