Bawdsey Radar Museum
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Temporarily closed until further notice
Bawdsey Radar Museum
Bawdsey Radar Museum
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
CLOSED FOR THE WINTER. Re-opens spring 2024
This award-winning museum charts the birthplace of modern radar, it was the first operational radar station station in the world and the exhibition is housed in the original 1937 building. The exhibition tells the story of the 'Invention that Changed the World'. It reveals how scientists, engineers and technicians came together at Bawdsey in the 1930s in total secrecy to prove that radio waves could locate aircraft, ships and other targets. Bawdsey became the world's first operational radar station in 1937 and played a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain in 1940. The display features the lives of the people who developed the technology and the radar operators, mainly women (WAAFs), whose dedication helped to bring victory in WW2.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
75 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
17
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
1
caretakerlorna
Brighton, UK22 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
For anyone interested in war time radar this is for you, only a small place but full of information and very knowledgeable staff.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for visiting Bawdsey Radar and for your lovely review. 'Small but beautifully formed' is a marvellous description! Thank you too for your positive words about the volunteer team which we'll pass along... much appreciated.
Lynette for Bawdsey Radar.
Written 31 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
shaz h
Portsmouth, UK100 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Even though this museum is small, it is very interesting and informative. We found out many things. About Bawdsey.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting and your thoughts.We are a small museum, housed in the original, and first ever, radar Transmitter Block. So pleased you found it interesting and informative.
Thank you again for coming.
Lynette for Bawdsey Radar.
Written 18 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
norman
Farnborough, UK436 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Really interesting and informative, you come across a great story of how a group of people made a huge contribution to protecting our nation. Very well told with interactive exhibits and volunteer staff on hand to answer your questions. After visiting, if you carry on to the end of Ferry Rd, there is a cafe and a nice beach.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and your kind comments and we're glad you enjoyed your day in this lovely part of Suffolk.
All very best, Lynette
Written 28 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
O Wise One
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK21 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Very friendly, helpful staff and a nicely presented museum; it is beautifully laid out and surprisingly atmospheric. Having said that, we found some of the written material a little incoherent, rushed. The story about the Graf Zeppelin and its early contact with the radar station pre-war, for example. We’d definitely recommend this museum and hope it succeeds, and grows!
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for a lovely review, very much appreciated. Thank you for your good wishes for Bawdsey Radar's future too.
Lynette
Written 7 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jentub
Bristol, UK9 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This place is small, but beautifully formed. The entrance can be easily missed; look out for yellow signs on the left after you leave Bawdsey village. The work done here during the 30s and 40s was invaluable, so much so it would not be an exaggeration to say without it, we would have lost the war. The museum is small as museums go, but the staff are so lovely and enthusiastic. The graphics are interesting, the videos award-winning and the interactive parts are genuinely fascinating: the 'have-a-go-at-radar' is really challenging and I was determined to get it right! Children go free and you get re-entry for a year. It's walking distance from the beach and the ferry to Felixstowe.
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much and my apologies for my delay in responding.
We'e so pleased you enjoyed your visit and maybe we'll see you again soon.
All best and thank you for the review, very much appreciated.
Lynette
Written 7 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
F1LoverAnn
Louth, UK253 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
A really interesting place to visit, even though perhaps smaller than I expected. The volunteers are very knowledgeable. Get them to show you the bomb damage outside, and where the radar towers actually stood. It is a very interesting place, and worth the drive out.
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Firstly, my apologies for my delay in replying.
The 1939 Transmitter Block is a relatively small building and there's no opportunity to expand at present unfortunately.
Thank you for your review and we're pleased you enjoyed your visit. The volunteer team love sharing the story.
Thank you again,
Lynette
Written 7 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Derbyshireflyboy
Needham Market, UK589 contributions
Apr 2023
We visited this museum recently and are glad that it is there as it is very important to the area with all history associated to it.
There are a lot of interesting things to read, but sometimes hard to hear the videos with the noise behind and around you.
I do feel though that for the size of the museum that the price is vastly inflated at £8 and feel that £4 would be a fairer price to charge.
There are a lot of interesting things to read, but sometimes hard to hear the videos with the noise behind and around you.
I do feel though that for the size of the museum that the price is vastly inflated at £8 and feel that £4 would be a fairer price to charge.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Firstly I am so sorry for the delay in replying. There is a glitch with notifications but that's no excuse.
The Transmitter Block is small and there are videos playing and when we are busy there is visitor noise. Please do get in touch on info@bawdseyradar.org.uk and we'll do what we can to put this right for you.
Thank you,
Lynette
Written 7 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
158Trojan
Macclesfield, UK66 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Arrived to a lovely welcome to the museum from one of the volunteers, she talked me through the museum charges and gift aid etc.
The space, subject and exhibits are very well explained with audio descriptions, film clips and graphical details. The volunteers were very attentive and helpful providing further information.
The space, subject and exhibits are very well explained with audio descriptions, film clips and graphical details. The volunteers were very attentive and helpful providing further information.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review - such lovely encouragement for everyone at Bawdsey Radar.
We're so glad you enjoyed your visit.
All very best,
Lynette
Written 7 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Segillum
Shrewsbury, UK21 contributions
Oct 2022
If you’re remotely interested in early radar and a facet of the Battle of Britain that in my view is as crucial as Spitfires and Hurricanes, this is a must-see.
Bawdsey was where Watson-Watt and his colleagues set up the world’s first operational radar station in 1937. In 2004 the almost-derelict Transmitter Block was featured on the BBC’s ‘Restoration’ programme and since then it’s been in the care of Bawdsey Radar Trust. It’s now a small museum -- and it’s the best small museum I’ve ever been to.
The entire timeline of the early radar development is very clearly set out and there are several very well produced video displays. There’s an interactive simulation of the way in which bearing and distance were interpreted by the operators and transferred to the Filter Room which is borderline addictive. And to cap it all you can even climb a Chain Home mast in virtual reality.
All in all I can't recommend this little museum enough, and the people who run it are extremely helpful and knowledgable as well.
Bawdsey was where Watson-Watt and his colleagues set up the world’s first operational radar station in 1937. In 2004 the almost-derelict Transmitter Block was featured on the BBC’s ‘Restoration’ programme and since then it’s been in the care of Bawdsey Radar Trust. It’s now a small museum -- and it’s the best small museum I’ve ever been to.
The entire timeline of the early radar development is very clearly set out and there are several very well produced video displays. There’s an interactive simulation of the way in which bearing and distance were interpreted by the operators and transferred to the Filter Room which is borderline addictive. And to cap it all you can even climb a Chain Home mast in virtual reality.
All in all I can't recommend this little museum enough, and the people who run it are extremely helpful and knowledgable as well.
Written 27 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review and we are very pleased you enjoyed your visit so much. Admission tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of your visit so maybe we'll see you next season...we have events on from time to time which you might like. Thank you again, we really appreciate your taking time to share your thoughts.
Lynette for Bawdsey Radar.
Written 31 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Not disclosed
228 contributions
Sep 2022
Having taken the foot ferry from Felixstowe its about a mile walk to the museum. The museum is run by keen and committed volunteers and there are some interesting films and exhibits. However the museum is small and rather expensive
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for visiting back in September and my apologies for taking so long to reply. The museum is housed in the original 1939 Transmitter Block which is indeed relatively small. Your admission tickets are valid for return free admission for twelve months from the date of your visit and you might like some of the events we put on. I realise this doesn't help if you don't want to make a return visit and I am sorry you feel we were rather expensive.
Lynette for Bawdsey Radar.
Written 31 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Claim your listingBAWDSEY RADAR MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Bawdsey Radar Museum
- Bawdsey Radar Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 - 16:00
- Thu - Thu 11:00 - 16:00
- Hotels near Bawdsey Radar Museum:
- (0.48 mi) PGL Bawdsey Manor
- (0.83 mi) Bawdsey Hall
- (6.11 mi) Alma Inn
- (3.71 mi) Grange Farm House
- (9.98 mi) Suffolk Yurt Holidays
- Restaurants near Bawdsey Radar Museum:
- (0.62 mi) Boathouse Cafe
- (0.92 mi) The Ferry Boat Inn
- (3.34 mi) Blue Naan
- (3.33 mi) Anatolia Restaurant
- (0.82 mi) Winkles at the Ferry