Muckleburgh Collection

The Muckleburgh Military Collection is named after Muckleburgh Hill at the foot of which the former Weybourne Military Camp is situated. Weybourne has long been a site for the repulse of invasion from Roman and Viking times to the threat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. There is a sixteenth century saying “He who would Old England win must at Weybourne Hope begin” reflecting the ease of landing because of the deep shore water. In 1914, preparing for WW1, the area became home defence with the billeting of troops, and the building of pill-boxes and trenches. During the War a Zeppelin was destroyed by the Camp guns after nearby Sheringham had been bombed. Throughout WW2 the Camp became an anti-aircraft artillery base and remained in use from 1936 until the last of some 1.5 million shells was fired on 2nd October 1958. Sir Winston Churchill and The Princess Royal, Princess Mary were amongst its many important visitors. To-day the RAF still maintains a radar station there and some of the original gun emplacements can be seen when taking a Military Vehicle Ride. It is also the location of the University of East Anglia’s Atmospheric Observatory and a Metrological Station. The adjacent airfield was used for launching target drones for the anti-aircraft gunners and is today used by civilian aircraft and the Kelling Model Flying Club. In 1986, work began to demolish nearly 200 old buildings which were beyond repair and 45,000 tons of rubble was removed. The Collection opened in 1988 occupying the former NAAFI building which has been enlarged to accommodate the growing number of exhibits. In front of the main building is the 1948 storage compound now used as workshops for vehicle restoration. One of these buildings also houses a large collection of operational radios maintained by the North Norfolk Radio Group. There children can practice Morse Code and experience use of some of the equipment. The Collection numbers over 150 tanks, guns and vehicles in addition to an extensive display of light weapons, ammunition and other exhibits. These have come from far and wide and a special feature is that all the military vehicles are kept in working order. Other fine exhibits include historic memorabilia from The Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry, The Medmenham Collection of RAF reconnaissance, Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft, and a unique display of naval and land warfare models.

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