Charles Burrell Museum

A small, volunteer-run museum housed in the original paint shop of the Charles Burrell & Sons works in Thetford, a grade II listed building. The displays tell the story of the firm that once made steam traction engines, agricultural machinery and steam lorries, and was the town's main employer until it closed in 1928. The large engines, including a road roller, a showmen's locomotive and a working traction engine, sit on the ground floor alongside re-created workshops with original tools and machinery. A gallery upstairs holds photographs, letters and documents about the company and the Burrell family. Visitors often enjoy the Jones butcher's van from the BBC comedy Dad's Army, which is kept here. Entry is free, with donations welcome, and the volunteers are happy to talk through the engines, which suits children interested in machines and history. Note the mezzanine gallery is reached by stairs only.