Welcome to the official website of The Charles Burrell Museum 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.
Update 13th May 2021 : Our volunteers are working hard to find a way to open up this year and welcome you all back, stay tuned. This means, with no income, we need help. 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. By 1875 Burrells were the largest manufacturers of traction engines in the world. 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.
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!!
Latest News…
- Why not join our great team.
- Fundraising PageIn difficult times without income from the museum itself we have now started a small fundraising […]
- New Shoes for Queen MaryAfter a 3 year fundraising campaign & a 13 hour road trip to collect them, we […]
- Museum Opening UpdateSadly The Charles Burrell Museum and Steamers cafe will remain closed until further notice but we […]
- Welcome Helen, Our New Manager.The Charles Burrell Museum is pleased to announce that we have appointed a new manager, Helen […]
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.
