RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
ENTRY
from £6
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Norwich
What it’s like
Eighteen rooms of Cold War and WWII radar history, from an original Operations Room to a small grassed play area outside.
This is a proper museum rather than a hands-on science centre, and it leans into that. You walk through eighteen exhibition rooms covering early radar development and WWII, then into a Cold War Operations Room set up as it would have been used. There are talks in both the WWII and Cold War rooms too, so if your kids like a story told to them rather than a button to press, this scores well.
It's housed in a 1942 military building, which gives it real atmosphere but also means not every room is wheelchair or buggy friendly, worth knowing if mobility is a factor for anyone in your group. There's a small grassed play area outside for anyone who needs a break from the exhibits, and the site says to allow a whole day if you want to see everything and catch the talks. That's a big ask for younger children, so it's worth pacing yourselves rather than trying to do all eighteen rooms in one go.
Entry is £14 for an adult and £6 for a child aged 6 to 16, or £32 for a family of two adults and up to three children. Tickets last 12 months with unlimited return visits, which softens the price if you think you will be back. There's a café on site for homemade bakes and light lunches, free parking, and Blue Badge parking too if you need it.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- History-minded kids from around 6 up, especially fans of talks over touchscreens
- Parking
- Large car park on site, free
- How long to allow
- Allow a whole day to see entire collection and attend historical presentations
- Food
- Onsite café serving homemade bakes, cakes and light lunches
- Dogs
- No dogs permitted inside museum except guide/support dogs
- Getting there by bus or train
- Signposted from Wroxham (10 mins by car) and Horning (10 mins walk), 25 mins from Norwich
- Worth knowing
- Tickets valid for 12 months with unlimited return visits
- Tickets last 12 months with unlimited return visits, handy if a day feels too much to see it all
- The 1942 building isn't fully step-free, so check the accessibility angle if that matters to you
- Dogs aren't allowed inside beyond guide dogs, but there's a shaded kennel outside
- It's about 25 minutes from Norwich, 10 minutes from Wroxham by car
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£14 for an adult, £6 for a child aged 6 to 16, and £32 for a family of two adults and up to three children. Students, over 65s and Blue Light or Forces get £12 or £8 depending on the rate.
Do we need to book?
There's an online ticketing system but walk-ins are welcome. You can also ring reception if booking online is not for you.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm. It's closed Sundays and Mondays outside bank holidays.
Is it OK for younger children?
The exhibits are mostly rooms of radar and wartime history rather than interactive play, though there's a small grassed play area outside for a breather. It suits kids who enjoy a guided talk and a bit of history.
How long should we allow?
The site suggests a whole day to see all eighteen rooms and catch the talks. You can always come back, as tickets are valid for 12 months with unlimited return visits.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
There's Blue Badge parking, an accessible toilet and a wheelchair available to hire, but the 1942 building means some areas are not fully accessible. Volunteers are around to help where they can.
What food is available?
An onsite café does homemade bakes, cakes and light lunches. Groups can arrange buffet-style catering with dietary options.
Is there parking?
Yes, a large free car park on site, plus Blue Badge accessible spaces.
Can I bring my dog?
Only guide or support dogs are allowed inside. There's a shaded outdoor area and a small kennel for dogs while you look round.
Do you do groups or talks?
Group bookings are welcome, with a discounted rate of £11 a head, and there are talks in both the WWII and Cold War rooms.
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