Nelson Museum

The Naval Room illustrates Nelson’s life, from his Norfolk childhood through his famous battles to his tragic, heroic death. See how the public have commemorated Nelson over the last two centuries. Use our interactive activities to find out about knots, flags and navigation. Soft music plays in the Merton Room, where Nelson gazes into the candlelight – what could he be dreaming of – his wife, Fanny, his mistress, Emma or his illegitimate daughter Horatia? Find out about Nelson’s fading looks, his mesmerising personality, his terrible wounds and illnesses and his scandalous love life. See the Nile Tables, where Nelson planned his crashing victory against the French in 1798, and the beautifully embroidered bed-hangings in which he spent his last night in England. In the Below Decks Experience, amongst the hammocks and mess tables, imagine that you are a press-ganged sailor on HMS Victory. Press the ship’s biscuit to hear your colleagues talking as you sail towards Cape Trafalgar to engage the French and Spanish fleets. Find out about life on board ship in Georgian times. Avoid the rats and don’t breathe too deeply – naval ships smelt terrible! In our Georgian Room, visitors can explore life in England under ‘Mad King George’ – which revolutions were happening and why? Why was a girl of seven hung in Norwich? How hygienic were the Georgians? What did people wear? Look in the mirror as you try on the wigs and clothes that people wore in Nelson’s time. The Maritime Courtyard features ships’ games such as skittles, dominoes and quoits. We also have four cannons – two are English and two are French – they could have been firing at us…Visitors sit in the sun at our picnic tables or just relax on the hammock in our scented Georgian garden. Every year sees a new exhibition in the Blue Room. This year, we look at life on board a naval warship in ‘Man the Guns’, our new, very interactive, exhibition. 26 South Quay is a Great Yarmouth Grade II listed building dating from the 1500s. By 1800 Great Yarmouth was at its peak: the quay was a hive of commerce and the British Fleet often used the port, as they did in 1801 for the battle of Copenhagen. In 2001 the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust purchased and renovated the building. Mr Ben Burgess formed the collection throughout his lifetime. He entrusted the museum’s trustees with the task of creating a museum to house his collection. His dream was realised when the Norfolk Nelson Museum was opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in 2002. Museum facilities include a gift shop, toilets, an excellent research library (appointment only) an Education Room, a Meeting and Conference room available for hire and full disabled access to public areas. The museum has launched an Education Pack which is packed with information, images, lesson suggestions, eyewitness descriptions, role-plays and activities for children. Call the curator for more details. OPENING TIMES We are open at 10am on Friday 4th January 2008. Monday - Friday 10 am – 5 pm. Last admission 4.30 pm Saturday, Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm Last admission 3.30 pm.