ABOUT US – a Military Museum in heart of Norfolk

Langham Dome Military Museum exterior

Langham Dome. © Ugly Studios

Built in 1942-43 on the edge of RAF Langham, this intriguing building utilised innovative technology to train anti-aircraft gunners. This lovingly restored military museum was one of the first examples of virtual technology.

Long before digital virtual reality was invented, moving images projected onto the inside of the Dome taught brave trainees how to shoot down enemy aircraft successfully. More than seventy years after the end of World War 2, a visit to the Dome offers a unique opportunity to journey back in time and experience what life was like for those who served at RAF Langham.

Langham Dome, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is one of only a handful of anti-aircraft gunnery domes left in the UK.  In 2013, the North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust, which owns Langham Dome, was awarded £446,400 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, together with £199,000 by English Heritage and a variety of other generous grants, to open the Langham Dome military museum as a visitor attraction. Our mission is to reveal the significance of the Dome and RAF Langham in the defence of Britain during and after World War II, and to remember the sacrifices made by service personnel.

Officially opened on July 19th 2014, by Dr Bert Osborn DFC, who was based at Langham in 1944, and Air Marshal Dick Garwood CB CBE DFC.

Opening ceremony

Dr Bert Osborn DFC and Air Marshal Dick Garwood CB CBE DFC open Langham Dome. © Ugly Studios

Anti aircraft gun training inside the military museum

Langham Dome is an exciting visitor experience. © FoLD

North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust and the Friends of Langham Dome worked in partnership to restore the building, with generous financial assistance from:

Langham Dome B&W Logo Landscape & Strapline

Acknowledgements

North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust and the Friends of Langham Dome would like to thank the following individuals and organisations for their help in bringing the stories of Langham Dome and RAF Langham to the public:

Building Restoration

The Morton Partnership Ltd
WS Lusher & Son Ltd
Martech Technical Services Ltd
Norwich Electrical Ltd
Locker & Riley
Jeckells of Wroxham

Exhibition

Exhibition planning and design – Ugly Studios Ltd
Exhibition Fabrication – Rocket Art
Exhibition Video Production – Eye Film and TV
Exhibition Model Map production – Nigel Purdy

With Special Thanks to

Bernard Mathews Ltd
Stephen Fry
Di Cornell
Monica Kirkland
Ewan Ward-Thomas
Frank Phillipson
Bert Osborn
Stephen Walton (Imperial War museum)
Ken and Peter Jackson
North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group
Airfield Research Group
Flypast magazine
Roelof van der Schaaf