About
Great War Huts at Brook Farm Camp will be a ground-breaking First World War museum and visitor centre in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, in Hawstead near Bury St Edmunds.
Built on a four and a half acre site, the original plan would have seen eleven replica wooden barrack huts built to provide a lecture theatre, exhibition and display space to tell the story of the First World War in a fresh way.
However, the discovery of an original Recreation Hut in Ipswich, which was due to be demolished, changed everything. The eleven huts will all now be original buildings, constructed over a century ago to house the servicemen and women who served during the war.
The huts are all different and show many types of construction. Some have been dismantled from across the country and others found within a few miles of Brook Farm Camp. All of them are being restored to their original condition using the methods, tools and materials of the time.
Once completed Great War Huts will provide a unique setting in which to learn about the personal, military and social history of the conflict.
Going Forward...
Progress and new findings are posted to the
Great War Huts Facebook page and like-minded people post photographs and details of other huts. Groups around the country contact us for advice on restoring their own buildings, or for copies of plans. Teams from English Heritage, The National Trust and Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex have visited us to see what we are doing and how we can help with their projects. All our findings will be published in the future.
Can I visit Great War Huts?
Great War Huts is not currently open to the public, however, we do hold a number of events throughout the year which will enable you to see the progress of Brook Farm Camp and support the project. We do welcome tour groups for private tours - get in touch if you'd like to arrange a visit.
Do you offer advice on restoring other original war huts?
Yes, of course! We run a scheme called
Love Your Hut, so if you're thinking of saving your local hut, we can help advise you.
This project has given us the opportunity to see and work on huts of all shapes and sizes, which means we can tailor the advice to suit your hut.
All we ask in return is that you make a donation to Great War Huts to cover the cost of travel and our time.
