Bawdsey is the place where, in 1936, Robert Watson-Watt and his team built the world’s first operational radar transmitter — the technology that won the Battle of Britain. The Transmitter Block is now run as a museum by a small volunteer charity, and is one of the most surprisingly affecting WWII visits in East Anglia. The Manor itself is now a hotel; the radar site is a separate, modest building on the headland.
Visitor essentials
- Address: Bawdsey Manor, Woodbridge, IP12 3AZ, Suffolk
- Operator: Bawdsey Radar Trust — live opening hours and prices
- OS map: OS Explorer 197 — Ipswich, Felixstowe & HarwichBuy from OS →
What to expect on a family visit
Two hours. Open select days only — typically Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from April to October. The exhibition is self-guided with knowledgeable volunteers happy to talk through the technology. Combine with a Felixstowe Ferry crossing (foot passenger ferry across the Deben) for a satisfying afternoon.
Planning your visit to Bawdsey Radar Museum
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures vary across the year. Check the live page on Bawdsey’s own website for the day you are planning to visit — this is the only authoritative source.
Correct as of 28 April 2026 — please check before you travel, especially on Bank Holidays, Easter and between Christmas and New Year.
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