Welcome to the official website of The Charles Burrell Museum, Registered Charity No. 802250, based in Thetford, Norfolk, UK. Our museum is run by a fantastic team of friendly volunteers and, with no admission charges, survive on your very kind donations.
We are now open and back for 2024! please note opening is only subject to having available volunteers! We are always looking for friendly volunteers to help us continue to tell the Charles Burrell Story. Please get in touch and join us!
We now have a GoFundMe and Easyfundraising page setup. Thank you so much!
The museum is housed in the, grade 2 listed, former paint shop of Charles Burrell & Sons, builders of steam traction engines, agricultural machinery, steam lorries and steam tram engines. We help tell the long story of how they were once Thetford’s main employer until the business closed in 1928.
We also currently have the Jones van, butcher’s delivery van owned by Lance-Corporal Jones in the BBC comedy series Dad’s Army, stationed at the museum, belonging to our great friends at The Dad’s Army museum, also here in Thetford.
Latest News…
- Volunteers Wanted
- End of Season Steam Up – 26th Oct 2024Whilst we know we are still in the height of Steam Season, we would like to… Read more: End of Season Steam Up – 26th Oct 2024
- Bank Holiday – Closed Saturday 24th AugustPlease note that with Queen Mary attending a Wedding and our Roller/Living Van being on display… Read more: Bank Holiday – Closed Saturday 24th August
- We are open all this weekendThe Charles Burrell Museum Thetford will be open on Saturday 3rd / Sunday 4th August, joining… Read more: We are open all this weekend
- We are at Weeting Steam Rally – Saturday 20th JulyAdvance warning that The Charles Burrell Museum Thetford will be closed on Saturday 20th July. Queen… Read more: We are at Weeting Steam Rally – Saturday 20th July
Wonderful find!!
TripadviserVery enjoyable experience looking around this museum – interesting talk from a volunteer who was very knowledgeable. Cafe very reasonable and with friendly staff. Shame that there is no advertising in local hotels about this little gem!!
Quaint and informative
TripadviserMainly visited to see Jones’s van from Dad’s Army. Informative and friendly volunteers. Just enough about steam engines to interest the passerby I’d suggest, some lovely machines. Loved seeing the van and hearing its history.
Thanks to some of our Sponsors…
Our funding relies heavily on donations and sales from our shop and Café. We also have a network of friendly suppliers who help our team of volunteers with essential maintenance materials and consumables.
Craftmaster Paints and their steam supplies section have been supporting our Museum for several years, donating paint and various steam consumables for free, or at cost price, for which all at the museum are extremely grateful.
https://www.craftmasterpaints.co.uk/
Brian Cater Ltd Have supported the Museum for many years, Thanks to Gavin and his family for donating Welsh steam coal for us to use on our engines to present to the general public. Without their generosity our steam adventures would be severely cut back.
Thanks to Bearing Supplies ( Thetford ) who have helped us with the purchase of our latest Mig Welder.
