Lowestoft Maritime Museum

Lowestoft and East Suffolk Maritime Society established Lowestoft Maritime Museum in 1968. His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh opened a major extension in 1978, and just two years later a further extension was added. 2010 marked the completion of another major new extension funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, doubling the area available for exhibits and including a school room to support the strong educational connections developed over forty years of continuous expansion. The museum stands in an idyllic position below the 'Highlight', Lowestoft's landmark lighthouse.

The museum speciialises in the history of the Lowestoft fishing fleet and early commercial activities, from early days of sail, to steam, through to modern diesel vessels. Methods of fishing are also recorded, namely trawling, and the no longer practised art of herring driftnet fishing. Also depicted is the town's wartime association with the Royal Navy, together with a fine exhibition of the evolution of lifeboats. A full scale replica of the aft cabin of a steam drifter showing the crews quarters is also on display. There is a fine picture gallery and an interesting collection of shipwright's and coopers tools.

The museum attendants are ex-seamen and others interested in the history of the port of Lowestoft, and will be delighted to answer any questions you may have about the museum and its exhibits.

School groups are particularly welcome and teachers may like to avail themselves of our special "Educational Pack" - a series of papers prepared for classroom use following a visit to the Museum.