The History

The Muckleburgh Collection was opened to the public on May 7th 1988 by the Duke of Argyll

Co-Founder of the Collection, the late Berry Savory, so sadly missed		His Grace, the Duke of Argyll, at the opening ceremony with Michael Savory driving the Sherman Tank

The Muckleburgh Collection has been so named after Muckleburgh Hill at the foot of which the former Weybourne Military Camp is situated. Weybourne has always been a base for the repulse of invasion from the early days 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 the area became front-line defence with the billeting of troops, and the building of pill-boxes, gun emplacements and trenches. The site became an anti-aircraft artillery base in 1936 and remained in use 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 the many important visitors to the camp during the Second World War. To-day the RAF still maintains a radar station within the area and some of the gun emplacements remain although they are not open to visitors.

In 1986, work began to demolish nearly 200 old buildings which were beyond repair and 45,000 tons of rubble was removed to make way for the Collection which was opened in 1988 by Berry and Michael Savory. The heart of the present museum is the NAAFI building which underwent several years of restoration and enlargement. Across the meadow, in front of the main building, is the storage compound. This remains virtually as it was in 1948 and is now used as workshops and for storage of equipment awaiting restoration. One of these buildings also houses a large collection of operational radios maintained by the North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group.

The airfield continues to be used by civilian aircraft and the Kelling Model Flying Club.

When first opened the museum consisted of a few exhibits and a small room describing the camp history. The Collection has since grown to over 120 tanks, guns and vehicles in addition to thousands of other items. The vehicles on display have come from far and wide; Russia, Norway, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Holland, Eire, Syria, Kuwait, Israel, the Falkland Islands, the United States and Iraq. Most of The Collection's vehicles have undergone restoration to ensure they are kept in working order.

Other fine exhibits include historic memorabilia from The Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry, RAF Reconnaissance, Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft, and a unique collection of naval and civilian ship models.

There is a Restaurant and Shop and visitors have the opportunity of seeing a tank demonstration and of enjoying a bumpy coastal ride in an American Gama Goat personnel carrier.

A children’s play area and picnic site give all members of the family an exciting day out.

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