Muckleburgh Collection facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Muckleburgh Collection

Hawker Harrier on display at the museum
Established	1988 (1988)
Location	On the A149 coast road near Weybourne, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Type	Military Museum

The Muckleburgh Collection is a super cool military museum located right on the coast in Weybourne, England. It opened its doors in 1988 and is the biggest privately owned military museum in the whole United Kingdom! It's packed with amazing tanks, guns, and other military vehicles.

History of the Site

ATS women using a rangefinder at Weybourne in 1941. A large anti-aircraft gun is behind them.

The museum is built on the site of an old military camp called Weybourne Anti-Aircraft Training Camp. This camp was very important during and after the Second World War. It's located just north-west of the village of Weybourne.

The area, originally called Carvel Farm, was first used in 1935. The Territorial Army used it as a summer training spot for their anti-aircraft guns. As the threat of war grew, the camp became a permanent base in 1937. More buildings and defenses were added.

During the Second World War, the camp was heavily protected. It had an anti-tank ditch, gun positions, and barbed wire all around it. Inside, there were many Nissen huts, barracks, and other military buildings. The cliffs nearby were lined with huge anti-aircraft guns, trenches, and small forts called pillboxes. In 1941, even Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister, visited the camp! He came to see a demonstration of a new anti-aircraft weapon.

As the war continued, the camp's defenses were changed and improved often. A grass airstrip was also built, which is still used today.

After the war, the camp was renamed the AA Permanent Range and Radar Training Wing. Gunnery training continued there until 1958. Today, the site still has an RAF radar station. It's also home to a special observatory and weather station for the University of East Anglia.

About the Museum

When Weybourne Camp closed, the land went back to private owners. Many of the old military buildings that were too damaged were taken down.

The Muckleburgh Collection was started by Squadron Leader Berry Savory and his son Michael Savory. When the museum first opened in 1988, it had about 30 vehicles. It also had a small room explaining the camp's history.

Since then, the museum has grown a lot! It now has over 150 artillery pieces, tanks, and other military vehicles. The best part is that most of them still work!

The Muckleburgh Collection also houses the history of The Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry regiments. You can also find the North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group here. The museum's vehicles and its large, unspoiled 300-acre site have been used for many TV shows, documentaries, and dramas.

A super exciting part of visiting the museum is that you can often get rides in a military vehicle! They even offer "tank driving" experiences in an FV432 armored vehicle. Some of the 25 working tanks you might see include a Panzer P-68, a Chieftain, a Stuart M5A1, a Soviet T-55, and a Canadian-built Sherman tank.

Amazing Exhibits

The Muckleburgh Collection has a huge variety of military vehicles and equipment. Here are some of the cool things you can see:

Tracked Vehicles

These are vehicles that move on tracks, like tanks!

Armored Vehicles

These vehicles have strong armor for protection.

Guns and Artillery

Check out these powerful cannons and anti-aircraft guns!

Support Vehicles

These vehicles helped keep the military running.

Missiles and Rockets

See different types of missiles used for defense.

Radar Equipment

Learn about the radar systems used to detect aircraft and other targets.

Gallery

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  The Artillery Hall, where many big guns are displayed.

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  The entrance to the Muckleburgh Collection.

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  A powerful QF 3.7 Anti-Aircraft Gun.

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  A Gama Goat vehicle, which you might even get to ride in!

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  A replica of the V1 Flying Bomb, also known as the "Doodlebug."