Parham Airfield Museum
Parham Airfield Museum
Parham Airfield Museum
5
About
The 390th Bomb Group Memorial Air Museum and the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation are housed in the original war time control tower, associated quanset (nissan) huts, and include the Percy Kindred Library and cafe. Situated on open fields the museum is signposted from the A12 North of Woodbridge after passing through Little Glemham. We are open on Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday’s from the first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October and also on Wednesdays during June, July and August. FREE Kids activites. FREE parking, FREE Admission DONATIONS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
9 within 3 miles
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
156 reviews
Excellent
142
Very good
14
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Shadow-Driver
Norwich, UK43 contributions
Jul 2022
Visited this great museum during their Military and Classic Vehicle event on 3rd July 2022, and was very impressed. There is a lot to see in the museum itself, and the view from the top of Control Tower out across the old airfield is most evocative. Although the museum is completely volunteer run there is nothing amateur about it. All the displays and exhibits are to a very high standard. Everything is well laid out with much interesting information provided. The volunteers were all enthusiastic, polite and very knowledgeable. There is a very nice tea room and excellent modern toilet facilities. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a little museum where you can see everything inside of an hour. There is an awful lot to see. It is perfectly possible to spend an entire day. Visiting on a special event day and taking time to look at the visiting military vehicles and classic cars meant we didn’t quite get round everything in the museum. I must also say that it is remarkable that this excellent museum does not charge anything for entry – not even £1. With that in mind I would encourage anyone visiting to give generously – it is well worth it to support such a well-run and well-presented museum. In closing I would highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in aviation or military history. It is also of great benefit to anyone wishing to educate todays youngsters about WW2 – teachers and youth group leaders please take note.
Written July 3, 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.
Wow! What a lovely and detailed review you have given us. We are very proud of our museum and of the stories it tells.
We hope you will visit us again.
We do not charge admission because we feel that as this whole museum is a memorial to the 743 boys who did not get to go home, it would be wrong to charge people to visit.
We always welcome donations though!
Written August 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brian
2 contributions
Jun 2022
I was fascinated, informed and moved by my visit to Parham.
Privileged to have visited many fine museums, I rate this little gem up with the finest. It paints a vivid picture of an important American Air Force airfield of the Second World War. There is much to absorb plane enthusiasts, but the most compelling story it tells is one of human experience.
For me, the secret underground bunker and the aircraft engines were the highlight of the exhibits.
But is was the warmth of the welcome from the volunteer staff that made my visit all the more memorable.
My profound thanks to the people who have made this extraordinary contribution to the telling of war history.
Privileged to have visited many fine museums, I rate this little gem up with the finest. It paints a vivid picture of an important American Air Force airfield of the Second World War. There is much to absorb plane enthusiasts, but the most compelling story it tells is one of human experience.
For me, the secret underground bunker and the aircraft engines were the highlight of the exhibits.
But is was the warmth of the welcome from the volunteer staff that made my visit all the more memorable.
My profound thanks to the people who have made this extraordinary contribution to the telling of war history.
Written June 6, 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 fabulous review. We do pride ourselves on our welcome and are really glad you enjoyed the secret bunker. Shhh don't tell everyone!
Written June 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul
Bexleyheath, UK4 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This is an excellent museum dedicated to the personnel of the 390th bomb group,8th Airforce USAAF during world War 2. The museum is housed in the original control tower and newer surrounding buildings. There is also an excellent and very surprising museum on the little known resistance organisation including a realistic underground bunker. There is so much to see here it really is surprising and it’s all free although a donation would be useful I’m sure. The friendly volunteers are very informative and helpful and are all clearly very proud of their airfield. The lady describing where the original main runway was located and pointed out where the still exiting taxiways/perimeter tracks and hard standings were really brought the site to life. You could almost imagine rows of taxying B-17’s waiting to take off. Much of the landscape has little changed since then. We finished our visit with a nice cup of tea and a cake (of course!) There are museum trails for the youngsters (and grown ups)with a prize. Recommended .
Written August 24, 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 taking the time to give us such a lovely review. Yes, we are all very proud of our museum and want to tell others about it's history and why it is a memorial as well as a museum.
We are glad you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again soon.
And yes, donations are very useful as we have no other funding other than our lovely visitors.
Written August 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carl B
United Kingdom13 contributions
Sep 2022
I live on the old airfield 600 yards from this museum and visit several times a year. This is in fact two museums, one to the 390th Bomb Group who flew from here and the other is uniquely dedicated to the Home Guard Auxiliary, the very dark side of Dad's Army. The top floor of the old control tower is um... interesting, to say the least. There's a Norden bomb sight, once so secret that it had its own guard room on the base and you might also detect some of the personnel - but I've said too much already.....
Written December 25, 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 for your great review ........... hope to see you again in the new season
Written March 31, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
becnhugh
Wickford, UK282 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Visited today and so impressed with the artefacts on show and the volunteers who were so informative and helpful. We were there a couple of hours and everyone we talked to was so keen to impart their knowledge in a very friendly way. Thoroughly recommend a visit.
Written June 19, 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.
Wow! Thank you! So lovely to hear you enjoyed your visit and that our enthusiasm for our subject showed.
We hope to see you again soon.
Written June 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jotel2013
Sheringham, UK89 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Fantastic place so much to see, we especially like the secret tower found in a field & control tower so much items of memorabilia you really need a good few hours there. The volunteers were knowledgeable and friendly. The toilets clean & there is a tea room. Was free entry so we gave a good donation. A good tourist attraction.
Written April 3, 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 such a lovely review and for the donation. It is greatly appreciated.
We are really glad you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again soon.
Written April 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SteveEssex_UK
Silsden, UK216 contributions
Jun 2022
I really do take great pleasure in writing a lovely, positive review for this wonderful little museum. I absolutely adore WW11 History and memorabilia and simply drank it all in as I walked around. It is so re-assuring that people have made the time and effort to ensure the memory of all those brave American Servicemen lives on into the modern age. To the guides and staff, thank you very much for a great day out.
Written June 13, 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.
And thank you from the guides and staff for your kind review. We are all volunteers and so reviews like this really do mean a lot to us.
Written June 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffrey
London, UK2 contributions
Apr 2022
This is a wonderful place, full of fascinating objects and displays related to the US airbase, WW2 and the not widely known British Resistance Force. The volunteers are very friendly and knowledgeable and recent additions to the museum are very well done. This is a great way to spend a couple of hours for people of all ages.
Written April 17, 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 lovely review. We hope to see you back soon.
Written May 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Johno L
Pulborough, UK26 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Wow ,what a place ,and where to start.
We loved this place ,from the moment we arrived to the moment we left.
The volunteers enthusiasm and knowledge are infectious
We were made to feel so welcome here ,and it was immediately apparent how much time and care goes into this brilliant museum
For anyone with an interest in ww2 history it's a must do place
Big thanks to all the volunteers who looked after us on our visit ,you should all be very proud of this gem that you have created and maintain
We loved this place ,from the moment we arrived to the moment we left.
The volunteers enthusiasm and knowledge are infectious
We were made to feel so welcome here ,and it was immediately apparent how much time and care goes into this brilliant museum
For anyone with an interest in ww2 history it's a must do place
Big thanks to all the volunteers who looked after us on our visit ,you should all be very proud of this gem that you have created and maintain
Written October 9, 2021
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 the lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your visit and hope you will come back again soon.
Written November 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melanie B
2 contributions
Jun 2021
This is a fascinating and unspoilt place, featuring the history of the airfield during the Second World War when home to four US squadrons, plus a history of the British resistance movement (if Britain had been invaded). The volunteers on site know their subject inside out, and are happy to talk to you about anything in the displays or about the airfield (and also will leave you to ponder the wonderful displays by yourself if you prefer). An excellent children's quiz engaged the kids, whilst the memorial was moving and humbling. Even more amazing, the visit was free, although we were very happy to leave a good donation for the preservation of its history. Highly recommend.
Written June 11, 2021
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 taking the time to give us such a lovely review. We are so happy to be able to open our doors again. Really glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you again soon.
Written June 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
denis2110
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK90 contributions
Hello, would this be a good place to take two little boys? Ages 7 and 4. Thanks
jenwren120
Woodbridge, UK3 contributions
Yes we have a children's trail with things to look out for and questions to answer and a stamper trail for younger ones. There is a toy and colouring table in the cafe.
There are a lot of exposed exhibits so the children will need to be supervised at all times for their own safety.
There are staff around the museum at all times who will be able to answer any questions and explain things.
denis2110
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK90 contributions
Hello, would this be a good place to take two little boys? Ages 7 and 4. Thanks
Mr and Mrs L
uk69 contributions
Yes without a doubt
jenwren120
Woodbridge, UK3 contributions
So glad you enjoyed the museum. Please come back to see us soon. One correction though ....... the 390th Bomb Group flew B17 flying fortress not B52's
jenwren120
Woodbridge, UK3 contributions
Yes 390th Bomb Group flew from here. B17 Flying Fortresses. 4 Squadrons of 12 planes so 48 planes altogether.
stephen s
Southend-on-Sea, UK
hi is there gift shop
John H
Felixstowe, UK10 contributions
Sorry taken me some time to answer your query, yes there is a gift shop and a cafe, the museum is now closed for this year but is well worth a visit if in the area next year check out the Parham web site for full details etc. Regards John H.
Parham Airfield Museum, Woodbridge
Frequently Asked Questions about Parham Airfield Museum
- Parham Airfield Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Parham Airfield Museum:
- (5.81 mi) Suffolk Yurt Holidays
- (6.75 mi) The Croft Camp Site
- (7.48 mi) Five Acre Barn
- (7.42 mi) Secret Meadows Glamping
- (7.34 mi) Trustans Barn
- Restaurants near Parham Airfield Museum:
- (3.17 mi) Curry India
- (1.09 mi) The Crown Inn
- (3.11 mi) Watson and Walpole
- (1.71 mi) The Lion inn
- (1.91 mi) Farm Cafe + Shop