Home of the 1893 Southwold No.1 Lifeboat “Alfred Corry”

The ‘Alfred Corry Charitable Trust’ was set up in 1994 (Charity Commissions No. 1039030) in order to restore and preserve the 1893 Southwold No.1 Lifeboat ‘Alfred Corry’. In March 2017 the Trust was registered as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and the number was changed to 1172006.

The ‘Alfred Corry’ was Southwold’s lifeboat for 25 years from 1893 until 1918 which, during which period, she was launched 41 times and saved 47 lives.

The Museum is situated in the car park at the end of Ferry Road at Southwold harbour, in what used to be the old 1923 Cromer Lifeboat shed, moved to Southwold from Cromer 80 miles away, by sea in 1998.

The restored 'Alfred Corry' lifeboat now 131 years old

The ‘Alfred Corry Charitable Trust’ was set up in 1994 (Charity Commissions No. 1039030) in order to restore and preserve the 1893 Southwold No.1 Lifeboat ‘Alfred Corry’. In March 2017 the Trust was registered as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and the number was changed to 1172006.

The ‘Alfred Corry’ was Southwold’s lifeboat for 25 years from 1893 until 1918 which, during which period, she was launched 41 times and saved 47 lives.

The Museum is situated in the car park at the end of Ferry Road at Southwold harbour, in what used to be the old 1923 Cromer Lifeboat shed, moved to Southwold from Cromer 80 miles away, by sea in 1998.

The restored 'Alfred Corry' lifeboat now 131 years old
The Old Cromer Lifeboat Shed now the museum with the new front extension

Explore our website to find out more about the fascinating story of the people involved in the boat’s history, both past and present, and how it ended up back in Southwold after so many years away.

Then there is the story of the old Cromer Lifeboat shed, which through a remarkable stroke of good fortune and quick action became the museum building itself. For those interested in the actual restoration work itself, the restoration section will show ongoing progress over a 15 year period.

There is also a wonderful section on local maritime history compiled by our curator, Frank Upcraft, whose sterling pictorial efforts have produced the most colourful and informative additions to the museum’s walls,some of which can be seen in the pictures below and here.

Many sections of the website are compiled by the people involved in the work, so you get a real insight into development of the boat and museum by the people who made it happen.

If you would like to know more, or just come and see for yourself, then you can visit us in beautiful Southwold and see the fruit of many years of dedicated voluntary hard work and love, and be regaled with the extraordinary stories of the lifeboat men who voluntarily put their own lives at risk in order to save those in danger.

Explore our website to find out more about the fascinating story of the people involved in the boat’s history, both past and present, and how it ended up back in Southwold after so many years away.

Then there is the story of the old Cromer Lifeboat shed, which through a remarkable stroke of good fortune and quick action became the museum building itself. For those interested in the actual restoration work itself, the restoration section will show ongoing progress over a 15 year period.

There is also a wonderful section on local maritime history compiled by our curator, Frank Upcraft, whose sterling pictorial efforts have produced the most colourful and informative additions to the museum’s walls,some of which can be seen in the pictures below and here.

Many sections of the website are compiled by the people involved in the work, so you get a real insight into development of the boat and museum by the people who made it happen.

If you would like to know more, or just come and see for yourself, then you can visit us in beautiful Southwold and see the fruit of many years of dedicated voluntary hard work and love, and be regaled with the extraordinary stories of the lifeboat men who voluntarily put their own lives at risk in order to save those in danger.

The Old Cromer Lifeboat Shed now the museum with the new front extension

Inside the Museum

The museum is full of items of local history, both of the boat and the shed in the form of various artefacts connected to the industry, and an extensive collection of old photographs depicting all aspects of the boat and its crew and the history of the lives it saved, all displayed in the most wonderful way, and our thanks go to curator Frank Upcraft for producing such a comprehensive series of displays!

Anyone interested in local history will also find a large section devoted to the local fishing and maritime industries over the centuries.

A large number of the photographs shown on the website were provided by Frank, to which we offer our thanks, as we do to all those who have contributed to the material on the website.

Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry as well as local maritime and town history produced by the museum’s curator Mr. Frank Upcraft.

Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry

The museum is full of items of local history, both of the boat and the shed in the form of various artefacts connected to the industry, and an extensive collection of old photographs depicting all aspects of the boat and its crew and the history of the lives it saved, all displayed in the most wonderful way, and our thanks go to curator Frank Upcraft for producing such a comprehensive series of displays!

Anyone interested in local history will also find a large section devoted to the local fishing and maritime industries over the centuries.

A large number of the photographs shown on the website were provided by Frank, to which we offer our thanks, as we do to all those who have contributed to the material on the website.

Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry as well as local maritime and town history produced by the museum’s curator Mr. Frank Upcraft.

Some of the wonderful displays showing the history of the Alfred Corry

“Excellent guides, some awesome stories of what these incredible people did before more modern equipment became available.
Always tugs on the heart strings.
Car parking is low price and the Lifeboat Station with the duty boat (Atlantic) is in a building nearby.”

Chris Hood, Google Review

“Dropped in here on way back from Walberswick as it was open and had always wanted to go in.
Free entry but donations appreciated. Well worth it!
Volunteers were very polite and helpful, gave my kids a quiz to do around the museum (answers were easy to find).
Lovely use of an hour.”

Steve Smith, Google Reviews

Worth a Visit
“Very interesting little museum – well worth popping in if you are in the area.
We were particularly interested in the short historical film about how coastal flooding had impacted the fishing trade.”

C_Leighton, Tripadvisor Review

“Really lovely. We all really enjoyed it.
The people who work there are fantastic.”

Suzanne Rush, Google Reviews

Fascinating & Unusual
“Fascinating tiny museum celebrating the inspiring work of lifeboat crews, and people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the sea.
The lifeboat itself has been lovingly restored by volunteers who preserve and share this history. Highly recommended.”

LozBristol, Tripadvisor Review
“Superb museum.
The restoration of the lifeboat is amazing.
Certainly well worth a visit.”
Darren Harris, Google Reviews

“An interesting little museum full of local history with very helpful and welcoming staff (a husband and wife).
Definitely worth a look and don’t forget a donation 👍”

Craig Innes, Google Reviews

“Fascinating place and history.
Dedicated volunteer staff.
Under visited during our attendance but possibly sun and sand won that day!”

Derek Scott, Google Reviews

Lovely Little Museum of Southwold’s Past Life
“This is a lovely little museum that is well worth a visit when in Southwold.
Take time to read all of the information on show. Reading about the people and lives of the fishermen and community gave me a real sense of Southwold’s past that
I’d never experienced when previously visiting the town.
Walking around this perfect picture postcard town now, you would never realise the hardships of the formidable people who lived and worked here centuries ago.”

BedfordshireJanet, Tripadvisor Review

A Great Small Museum
“Thank you to the lovely volunteers who explained to us that in fact the boathouse originally came from Cromer!
Fascinating! Lovely museum to explore!”

Fascinating
“This is such a lovely little museum.
Having watched ‘Saving Lives At Sea’, with all the state of the art life saving boats, made this even more fascinating, just imagining the 18 crew getting this boat out to sea, dragging it across the shingle, putting sails up and using the oars to guide and steady, all through vile weather. Absolute heroes.
All brought to life by the very knowledgeable volunteers and the great displays. Definitely recommend it.”

noltonmaddox, Tripadvisor Review

“Dropped in here on way back from Walberswick as it was open and had always wanted to go in.
Free entry but donations appreciated. Well worth it!
Volunteers were very polite and helpful, gave my kids a quiz to do around the museum (answers were easy to find).
Lovely use of an hour.”

Philippa Millard, Google Reviews

“Great visit.
Took 2 teenage girls who normally stuck on phones and they loved it.
Did the quiz and the gentleman there was lovely.”

A Snapshot of Maritime History
“I‘ve reviewed this attraction before, but now the building has been very sympathetically extended giving useful extra display space.
The old sailing lifeboat is the principal attraction, but there are also enough stories on the numerous display boards to occupy for several hours anyone interested in 19th century maritime history.
Also new is a period ‘front room’ of about 1879 together with a video display of period photos illustrating the damage caused to the buildings and craft on the coast by a huge storm in that year.
This is a historical attraction of interest to all the family and it is free! However, they do encourage donations (and even have a card machine) if you wish to support the museum. The volunteer stewards are very friendly and knowledgeable.”

The Fisherman’s Kitchen

Thanks to the many hours of planning and hard work by Dick Leon and Barry Waters, the ‘kitchen’ is now completed.

It gives a glimpse of what life would have been like living on Southwold beach in the late 1800s.

Again we thank many local friends who have donated items for display in the kitchen, Lynn Nicholls our loyal Volunteer for painting, wall papering and producing the curtains and Sue Gooding for ‘running them up’.

Thanks to the many hours of planning and hard work by Dick Leon and Barry Waters, the ‘kitchen’ is now completed.

It gives a glimpse of what life would have been like living on Southwold beach in the late 1800s.

Again we thank many local friends who have donated items for display in the kitchen, Lynn Nicholls our loyal Volunteer for painting, wall papering and producing the curtains and Sue Gooding for ‘running them up’.

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