Essex and Suffolk Group visit to Bawdsey

24 January 2026, 10.30 

Join us in Bawdsey for a combined visit to the Radar Museum and Manor house - a unique tour of military heritage and a late Victorian country house. 

The Radar Museum is in the first Chain Home Radar Transmitter building constructed in the 1930’s. Our guides will explain the extensive conservation work that was necessary to make the building safe, secure and waterproof – enabled by HLF funding. In the manor we will see many of the significant rooms including the ballroom with its minstrels’ gallery, sitting room, leather room and billiard room. Through the estate we will see  buildings associated with the development of radar and original estate buildings such as the game larder, tea house and stable block as well as examples of the use of Pulhamite, the secret garden on the site of Martello tower V and the walled garden with the lemonry.

We shall meet at the Bawdsey Radar Museum from 10.30 for welcome cup of tea or coffee. After a brief introduction to the Radar Museum and its refurbishment we will take a walk around the Bawdsey Manor estate, to the manor house and back to the Transmitter block for refreshments and a chance to look at the extensive collection of old photos plans and maps.

We will undertake the tour as two groups with no more then 15 in each group.

Please note that If the weather is totally unsuitable, it may be necessary to cancel the visit. Those registered will be advised at least 1 day prior to the event start time if this is the case. 

Refreshments will feature soup and a roll with tea or coffee for lunch. People are free to leave after lunch or spend more time exploring the museum with our guides on hand.

You will need

Please wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather. 

How to get there

Bawdsey Radar Museum, Bawdsey, IP12 3BA
What3words: affirming.joys.scuba

There is a car park on the right-hand side of the drive as you approach the museum.

Accessibility

The walking tour covers approximately two miles with some steps and uneven ground and may involve routes over rough ground – not all on footpaths.
Limited Seating available
Possibly Uneven surfaces / slippery paths
Significant periods of standing 
There is wheelchair access to the Radar Museum, but not to the grounds and Manor House.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

Photos and filming: We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: Bawdsey Manor. Copyright Nigel Wall