We are now open again for 2025 every Tuesday and Saturday. Please note opening is only subject to having enough available volunteers! We are always looking for friendly volunteers to help us continue to tell the Charles Burrell Story. Please get in touch if you would like to help!
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.
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…
- Cafe Refurb News ….In May 2024, the museum took part in Unlocking Thetford’s Potential public meeting. Richard Stock, Trustee… Read more: Cafe Refurb News ….
- Grand Opening – Easter Sunday 20th April 2025
- Winter Projects Help NeededAs you are aware CBM was given £5000 from Thetford Town Council. During the winter the… Read more: Winter Projects Help Needed
- 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
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/
Thanks to Bearing Supplies ( Thetford ) who have helped us with the purchase of our Mig Welder.
