The Wind Energy Centre in Norfolk

Aim: To build a new Wind Energy Centre in Norfolk to tell the fascinating story of wind-harnessing and the exciting future of wind power.

Imagine a place where you and your family can learn about the fascinating history and future of wind-harnessing in an informative, interactive environment featuring working wind pumps, windmills and wide-ranging activities!

For over 60 years, The Wind Energy Museum on the Norfolk Broads has collected, preserved and maintained a unique collection of artefacts related to harnessing wind power. This includes a full scale wind pump, a working windmill, millwrighting plans and tools, a sizeable archive and related objects of all kinds.

In order to preserve this collection and carry the story forward, it's time to completely update our offer to the public for the 21st century. Using our wonderful exhibits, software and digital applications, a full educational programme and hands-on model-making, we will create an exciting, interactive Wind Energy Centre for all.

New architect designed multipurpose building 

A new sustainable wood and glass multipurpose building will house an educational hub for schools, workshops, a café and shop. We envisage a popular and outstanding visitor attraction, wonderful for students, history and engineering enthusiasts, families and tourists alike. It will be a destination for information, education and fun. 

Thurne Mill

Our exciting new vision will tell an in-depth history of wind energy and windmills dating back to 500 AD, and will feature our 19th century beauty Thurne Windmill, an iconic Norfolk wind pump used for draining marshland. We will show how drainage dramatically changed both landscape and economy throughout time. How sailing took us to new continents and trade routes, how birds use the wind for everyday flight and migration. Wind truly is the element of imagination, survival and new possibilities!

Birds in flight

Our collection will be fully explained with a guided tour app as well as volunteer guides. The relatively recent aspect of harnessing wind for sustainable power will be fully explored and updated as new systems are developed. Together, these elements will tell the story of the past, present and future of wind energy. We will also support the training of a new generation of millwrights to carry those skills forward. Read more about our vision here: Wind Energy Centre Vision.

We've set an ambitious target for this Crowdfunder, which eventually we need to meet to kickstart this journey. But every penny counts and with your support, the new Wind Energy Centre will become a reality. 

Help us achieve our goal, one gust at a time!