High above the Nar Valley, there’s an aviation heritage centre with a difference. RAF Marham Aviation Centre is right in the middle of an active airbase! RAF Marham is the sole operating base for the UK F-35B Lightning so as you explore the museum displays, real live jets may be roaring overhead. A truly immersive sonic experience!
RAF Marham has played a significant part in national defence since the early 20th century. It stands in Fenland, crossed by ancient drovers’ routes, like Burnthouse Drove where sheep or geese were once marched to market. The Nar Valley has long been strategically important, cut through by a Roman road, the Fen Causeway. Throughout this West Norfolk parish there’s evidence of settlements from prehistoric times onwards, including a medieval Cistercian abbey (one of only two established for nuns), moated manors and fortified towers.
The Royal Flying Corps founded the original airfield in 1916, during the First World War when Britain was under attack from Zeppelin raids. On the same site RAF Marham opened in 1937. Two Second World War bomber squadrons were based here, first the antiquated Hendon and Harrow bombers and, in 1939 as war brewed in Europe, the Wellington bombers arrived, key to Bomber Command. Later in the war they were joined by Stirlings and Mosquitos. Since then, RAF Marham has operated many military planes from B-29 Superfortress Bombers, B-50s, V-Bombers and Valiants to Handley Page Victors and Tornadoes, cutting edge technologies defending these peaceful landscapes.
