Lowestoft Maritime Museum

Sparrows Nest, Whapload Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1XG  Tel 01502 561963 

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To find us click this link to Google Maps, then enter NR32 1XG

Lowestoft Maritime Museum was established in 1958 by the Lowestoft and East Suffolk Maritime Society, a registered charity. It is maintained and manned by its members on an unpaid voluntary basis and the premises are grant aided by Waveney District Council. Aerial photo - Michael Page.   www.norfolkskyview.flyer.co.uk

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh opened a major extension in 1978 and just two years later  a further extension was added.   We are extremely grateful to HRH The Princess Royal who opened the latest building extension on the 12th May 2010. This was a major work and the Museum was closed for a year to complete it; full refurbishment of the earlier buildings and a new layout was carried out by the volunteer members of the museum.

Robert Sparrow's estate was purchased by Lowestoft Corporation to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and the Museum stands in this idyllic setting, formerly Sparrow's summer home, known as 'Sparrow's Nest' below the 'Highlight', Lowestoft's landmark lighthouse, see buildings bottom centre in the photo above. The Highlight can trace its origins back to Samuel Pepys and the Brotherhood of Trinity House; it is said that the loom of its twin 500 watt lanterns can be seen at  20 miles (32km) in clear weather.

A fine column designed by Frederick H Crossley FRIBA, can be seen top right, built by the Imperial War Graves Commission, it commemorates the loss at sea of 2,385 officers and men of the Royal Navy Patrol Service. Fine men of the sea who have no known grave.

The Park Keeper's cottage dates from about 1820 and is now a Grade 2 listed building. It became the Museum's first home with individual rooms dedicated to a particular theme. Its popularity soon made expansion necessary and it has steadily grown ever since. The new buildings just visible behind are now the main display areas.

A huge and ancient anchor can be seen propped against the front of the building, two shells recovered from the bombardment of the town, together with a mine painted red and still with its sinker, all add colour to the scene. When the museum is open the Union Jack is flown from the masthead with other flags from the pole mast as appropriate.

Although the Keeper's cottage is where the Museum's story began, today it is a quaint reminder of the past. The main display areas are laid out to take the visitor on a winding path through Lowestoft's maritime history, including many items of scientific interest, too much to describe here. Come and see for yourself.