Rescue Wooden Boats

Stiffkey, Wells-next-the-Sea

Book your visit to Rescue Wooden Boats and discover North Norfolk's maritime heritage

Step into the fascinating world of North Norfolk's fishing, lifeboat and boatbuilding communities at Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre. This unique heritage attraction preserves the stories, skills and vessels that shaped life along the Norfolk coast for generations.

Located in Stiffkey, the Maritime Heritage Centre celebrates the region's working wooden boats and the people who built, sailed and depended on them. Through displays, films, historic vessels and volunteer-led projects, visitors can explore a remarkable chapter of British maritime history.

  • Discover the history of North Norfolk's traditional wooden fishing boats
  • Visit the Maritime Heritage Centre and enjoy exhibitions and displays
  • See Lucy Lavers, the restored Dunkirk Little Ship and former lifeboat
  • Explore a virtual museum featuring hundreds of historic films and photographs
  • Learn about local fishermen, lifeboat crews and boatbuilders
  • Enjoy family-friendly heritage experiences and seasonal events
  • Support an award-winning charity preserving maritime history for future generations

What's on at Rescue Wooden Boats?

  • Maritime Heritage Centre: Discover displays, artefacts, stories and films exploring local fishing and boatbuilding heritage.
  • Lucy Lavers: See the beautifully restored Dunkirk Little Ship and former lifeboat, one of the centre's most famous vessels.
  • Virtual Museum: Explore more than 200 films and archive materials documenting local maritime life.
  • Maritime Heritage Festival & Flotilla: Celebrate historic vessels and maritime traditions at the centre's flagship annual event.
  • Heritage Tours: Discover the working harbour and maritime history of Wells-next-the-Sea through guided experiences.

Preserving stories from North Norfolk's coast

Rescue Wooden Boats is more than a museum. It is an active charity dedicated to conserving historic wooden boats, documenting traditional skills and sharing the stories of local communities whose lives revolved around the sea.

Visitors can learn about the famous crab boats and whelkers that once worked along the coastline, discover the craftsmanship involved in traditional boatbuilding and explore film archives capturing the voices and experiences of Norfolk's fishing communities.

The highlight for many visitors is Lucy Lavers, a historic lifeboat that participated in the Dunkirk evacuation before serving for many years around the North Norfolk coast. Her remarkable restoration helps bring maritime history to life for visitors of all ages.

Whether you're fascinated by maritime history, traditional craftsmanship or coastal heritage, Rescue Wooden Boats offers one of the most unique heritage days out in Norfolk.

Location

Rescue Wooden Boats

Greenways,
Stiffkey,
Wells-next-the-Sea,
Norfolk,
NR23 1QF
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Facilities
  • Maritime Heritage Centre
  • Historic boat displays
  • Archive film screenings
  • Interpretive exhibitions
  • Volunteer guides
  • Visitor information
  • Annual heritage events
  • Working restoration facilities nearby
  • Gift and donation facilities
  • Nearby parking
More Info
Is Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility information is not specifically detailed online. Visitors with mobility requirements are encouraged to contact Rescue Wooden Boats before visiting to discuss access arrangements.

What age is Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre suitable for?

Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre is suitable for visitors of all ages interested in local history, maritime heritage and traditional craftsmanship.

Is there food and drink at Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre?

Food and drink facilities are not listed as part of the Maritime Heritage Centre. Nearby cafés and refreshment venues can be found around Wells-next-the-Sea and the surrounding area.

What do Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre tickets include?

Admission includes access to the Maritime Heritage Centre displays, exhibitions, films and maritime heritage information available on the day of your visit.

Are these the cheapest tickets for Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre?

Yes, we guarantee price match or better. If you can find them cheaper, we want to match it so please get in touch here.

Can I see Lucy Lavers at Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre?

Yes. Lucy Lavers, the restored Dunkirk Little Ship and former lifeboat, is one of the centre's most important historic vessels.

What is Lucy Lavers at Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre?

Lucy Lavers is a historic former lifeboat that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation and has since been carefully restored by Rescue Wooden Boats.

When is Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre open?

The Maritime Heritage Centre generally operates from Easter until the end of October on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 11am to 4pm.

What can I see at Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage Centre?

Visitors can enjoy historic boat displays, archive films, maritime exhibitions, local fishing heritage stories, boatbuilding history and special seasonal events.

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Heritage Tours aboard Dunkirk Little Ship Lucy Lavers

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