Southwold's unique cottage museum is dedicated to the local and natural history of this corner of Suffolk. Owned and managed by the Southwold Museum & Historical Society, this tiny building houses an astonishing collection of objects, paintings, photographs, models and wildlife exhibits.

The whole span of history is here, from fossil remains through sea battles, the development of the town's architecture, its industries and artistic life, the rise and fall of its railway, its famous land-locked lighthouse, its ever-changing coastline... to the 20th century transformation of this busy fishing community into a prosperous seaside resort.

REOPENING 3 MAY 2008

Southwold Museum has been closed for a programme of major refurbishment and internal redesign helped by generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Southwold Trust and the Adnams Charity. The Trustees are delighted to announce that this work is now nearing completion and the museum will reopen to the public on 3 May 2008. For details of opening times, click on Planning a visit

The Society is a registered Charity (No. 1109571) and the Museum has attained 'Registered Museum' status (No. 808) with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.