MUSEUM
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Step into 400 years of history
Bishop Bonner’s Cottages, a beautiful timber-framed, thatched building, is the oldest surviving domestic building in Dereham. With original sloping ceilings, tiny rooms, twisting staircases and wooden beams, visitors step back in time as soon as they walk inside. The front elevation boasts a fine example of pargeting, the decorative plaster sometimes seen on old buildings in Suffolk and Norfolk.
The row of three cottages survived the great fire of 1679 as well as the Zeppelin Raid of 1915. The Zeppelin passed almost overhead, dropping bombs in Church Street to the East and near Church Farm to the West but missed the cottages and the Church. Today the cottages are owned and maintained by the Town Council and leased to Dereham Heritage Trust for use as a Museum.
Galleries and exhibitions
New for 2026:
Sport in Dereham
Since 1963, the Museum has housed a wide range of exhibits of local interest, with the displays refreshed each year to showcase various aspects of Dereham’s past. Permanent exhibits include Dereham – An Ancient Market Town, Dereham’s Lost Industries, and A History of Dereham’s Oldest Cottages.
- Darren
Great history
RichardNice place low beams steep stairs lots packed into a small space.
- mary
Very interesting, local exhibits,helpful& charming volunteer staff.
G.A.PI love this place, have done for 20+ yrs. Thanks to the volunteers that keep it going amazing little bit of east dereham history
- Kumudu
Very interesting historical building in Dereham. Nobody knows the real link between the three two storey cottages and the Bishop Bonner. He served under Henry VIII, his three children, King… read more
BarbaraVery interesting, there was 5 family lived here
Planning your visit
Getting Here
Bishop Bonner’s Cottage Museum, St Withburga Lane, Dereham, NR19 1ED
Bishop Bonner’s Cottage Museum is in St Withburga Lane, close to the Parish Church of St Nicholas and St Withburga’s Well.
Opening Hours
ℹ︎ The Museum is now open from Friday 1st May until Saturday 26th September 2026.
Normal Opening Times (May – September):
- Friday: 10am – 1pm
- Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Outside of our normal opening hours, we also offer group visits (May-November). For more information, please visit our Group Bookings webpage.
Admission
- Adult – £3
- Child (0-16) – Free
- Members – Free
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Prices may vary on event days and for some activities. Visit our What’s On page for more information about upcoming museum events.
Access
The nature of this old building, with its winding, narrow and steep staircases and uneven floors, makes access to the first floor difficult for some visitors. However, the ground floor has two rooms with level access and we will be pleased to admit wheelchair users to these areas free of charge.
