A selection of Norfolk industrial
museums, Steam Railways, Windmills, and similar attractions.
The Norfolk Industrial Archaeology society is not responsible for any of these sites, most of which have an admission charge. Another list is being compiled of sites and monuments, with industrial archaeology interest, worth visiting for which there is no admission charge and which are easily accessable, or visable from public highway.
Please visit the websites where shown for up to date admission details and further information.
This selection of sites to visit is not exhaustive. If you wish to be added or correct details please mail the webmaster . We would appreciate you adding a link to us, www.norfolkia.org.uk. Also make contact if you know of any sites we should be listing, or errors.
Clicking on a link will open a new window. (Click logo or picture)
Berney Arms Windmill
Large, seven storey windmill built to grind cement; later used for drainage.
Makes an interesting focus to a walk along the river bank, with refreshment sometimes available at the nearby public house.
Regretably the mill is now open only to pre booked parties.
On north bank of River Yare; only accessible by boat, train or by footpath - English Heritage (01493-700605)
web site: Berney Arms Mill
Bressingham
Featuring Main line railway locomotives and road traction engines. The Dad's Army Experience and on the gallery a fascinating collection or railway artefacts and model railways. The Locomotive Museum features the giant beam engine (in steam on selected days) and other stationary steam engines. Full size ex British Railways locomotives with footplate access to at least one locomotive. Passenger trains running around the Nursery grounds. The Gallopers Roundabout, over 100 years old. Also extensive Gardens. Located near Diss.
Bridewell Museum, Norwich
A medieval house, a prison 1583-1828, then a factory. Now the museum of the trades & industries of Norwich. An important collection well displayed. Ponder the mysterious potions in the recreated pharmacy with its rows of colourful bottles and packets. Visit the Pawnbroker's shop and the Smithy. See a marvellous display of shoes - all made in the city. Admire the stunning Victorian fire engine and the huge 17th century Jacquard loom, which was used to weave the famous Norwich shawls
Bridewell Alley, Norwich - Norfolk Joint Museums Service (01603-667228)
Bure Valley Railway 
A steam hauled light railway following part of the route of the M&GB Railway between Aylsham and Wroxham.
The walk alongside gives a good feel of the route, with of course the railway for return journey.
The website is informative and includes historical notes.
Charles Burrell Museum, Thetford
St Nicholas's Ironworks was the home of Burrells, the traction engine builders.
Minstergate, Thetford
Telephone 01842-751166 for opening details.
No official website but World of Steam has some information, but is not totally up to date.
Denver Windmill
Denver Windmill was built in 1835 and continued to grind corn using windpower for over one hundred years. The windmill stopped work in 1941 when the sails were struck by lightning.
Now it has been lovingly restored to full working order with new facilities for visitors to enjoy. Once again flour is being milled using the power of the wind.
Fakenham Gasworks
Last surviving small town gasworks in England, dating from 1846. Good collection of associated equipment, including early gas cookers and other domestic equipment. Also gas measuring and testing equipment. A facinating museum, run by volunteers and with free admission (but donations requested). Allow at least 2 hours for your visit.
Hempton, Fakenham (01328-863150)
Grimes Graves
Neolithic flint mines, comprising over 300 pits and shafts. Visitors can descend one excavated shaft. Flint-knapping sometimes demonstrated.
Perhaps our oldest industrial site, but well worth visiting.
7 miles northwest of Thetford
English Heritage open most days.
Letheringsett Watermill
In the attractive village of Letheringsett is a fully functional water powered Flour Mill generally accepted to the only producing one in Norfolk. Y ou are invited to visit this outstanding part of working Norfolk History.
The Norfolk red brick Mill was built in 1802 on a Doomsday site.
Muckleburgh Collection 
The museum collection has grown to over 120 vehicles, tanks and guns with a back-up of 2,500 other exhibits. Many of the Collection's vehicles have undergone complete restoration in the workshops as conservation is a very important factor in the work of the Museum.
Museum of the Broads
The Broads, one of England's unique landscapes, was formed by medieval peat diggings which became shallow lakes joined by cuts and dykes to the rivers of the area - the Yare, Bure, Wensum, Ant, Thurne, Chet and Waveney.
On display are tools from the traditional Broads industries, thatching, sail and rope making, eel catching, reed cutting, boat building, mill wrighting. Among the craft are aperiod river commissioners launch, the Steam launch "Falcon", the only concrete dinghy ever constructed and many other craft, Old outboard and inboard engines, gun punts complete with mighty guns and an ice yacht. In 1999, the museum moved into the historic old buildings at Stalham Staithe.Open Daily 10.00am - 4.00pm
Easter to end of October
The North Norfolk Railway
A preservation steam line, running steam on a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty. You can break your journey to look around the stations and displays. Links the towns of Sherringham and Holt.
Norfolk Rural Life Museum, Gressenhall
Former workhouse. Museum of rural industries etc. Large and extensive displays, including steam engines, farm machinery, iron foundry, tradesmans workshops, bygone shops, traditional country cottages and a large costume collection. Georgian workhouse trail. There is also a working farm complete with horses and rare Norfolk breeds.
Open: April to October
Just off B1145, 3 miles northwest of East Dereham - Norfolk Joint Museums Service (01362-860563)
Sutton Windmill and Broads Museum
Britain's Tallest Windmill, near Stalham.
The historic corn mill was built over 200 years ago and was in use until 1940.
Complete milling machinery, four sets of millstones, sack hoist and nine floors. The corn milling machinery is considered to be the finest in the area.
Broads Museum
A Museum of social life, not too far back in the past, grown from the Nunn family's private collection. The Museum Building and Engine House contain a huge display of Woodworking, Plumbing, Cooper's, Tin and Blacksmith's tools; over 100 different animal Traps and Taxidermy items; a wartime Secton with leaflets, cards and recipes; Book Binding area; Horse Harness and much much more.
Open Daily 10.00 - 5.30 1st April - 30th SeptemberSutton, Near Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9RZ Tel/Fax +44 (0)1692 582926
A Web Site with information can be found at Sutton Mill
Time and Tide
A Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
Come and explore this brand new museum, housed in a converted Victorian herring curing works and take an exciting journey into the past. Discover Great Yarmouth's fascinating history, its rich maritime and fishing heritage and some of the colourful characters who made their living from the sea. The displays include a considerable amount of material from our archives.
Wells and Walsingham Light Railway.
The longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world and see the unique Garratt locomotive "Norfolk Hero" which was especially built for this line. Enjoy our timetable service from the seaside and harbour town of Wells to the picturesque town of Walsingham, famed for centuries as a centre of pilgrimage
Watermills and Windmills
A number of watermills and windmills in Norfolk are preserved, and some are open to the public. Many are owned by the Norfolk Windmills Trust, which has also provided financial assistance for some privately owned mills.
The Trust website gives lots of details of access to Norfolk mills, including suggested car tours.
Many of the Mills are open for National Mills Day. Some mills are open on a regular basis.
Up to date information and photographs of many of Norfolk's Wind and Watermills can be found on this site. This includes many mills that can be seen from the roadside. Its links page includes links to private mills open to the public.