Beccles and District Museum
Beccles and District Museum is a volunteer-run charity located in Leman House, a Grade I listed 16th-century building in Ballygate, Beccles. The museum showcases exhibits related to the town and its surrounding villages, covering local industries, social life, healthcare, and wildlife. Highlights include displays on clock making, engineering, printing, farming, milling, malting, building, transport, lace making, schooling, Victorian clothing, and the workhouse. Notable artifacts feature the original Beccles Charter Box, a 1632 Shadingfield altar cloth, and a River Post from 75 BC excavated from the River Waveney.
As of the 2024 season, the museum operates from April 2nd to late October, welcoming visitors on Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 1:45 pm and 4:30 pm. During the winter months, while regular visits are paused, volunteers remain active behind the scenes. For research assistance or inquiries during this period, you can contact the curator at museummanager@btconnect.com.
The museum is a short walk from St Michael’s Church in the town centre. From the church, proceed past the Swan House Inn and Barclays Bank into Ballygate. Approximately 400 meters up Ballygate, you’ll find Leman House on the right. For those arriving by train or boat, it’s accessible on foot from the railway station and Beccles Quay on the River Waveney. The main entrance is at the back of the building, accessible through the garden’s pedestrian gate. For visitors unable to manage the entrance steps, a separate disabled entrance is available; please ring the doorbell for assistance. Inside, a lift provides access to all areas.
Group visits can be arranged, including outside regular hours, subject to staffing. The museum can accommodate groups of up to 25 people, with visits typically lasting about an hour.
For the most current information on opening times and events, it’s advisable to contact the museum directly:
By Telephone: 01502 715722, answer machine when closed
By E-mail: museummanager@btconnect.com