What is it?
Since opening in 1972, the RAF Museum has gathered a collection of some 130 historic aircraft, more than 80 of which stand on display. There’s the Westland Lysander, famous for ferrying Allied agents in and out of enemy occupied Europe; the Seapcat Jaguar, used during the Cold War era and the Avro 504K which served way back during WW1.
Besides the planes, the museum has an interactive area and ‘Our Finest Hour’, a multi-media account of the Battle of Britain. In the interactive Aeronauts Gallery visitors can take a pilot aptitude test to discover whether they have the ‘right stuff’. The museum's historic Hangars buildings give details of early aircraft models, including information on how aircraft had to be modified to ensure they worked properly in different overseas climates and conditions.
Why go?
For a fun and expansive journey through the history of the Royal Air Force.
Don’t miss
Once you’ve seen the planes themselves, get a taste of actually being inside them with the museum’s set of immersive experiences. There’s the 4D theatre with a moving seat and smoke effects, the flight simulator that jets you over a virtual Lake District and the Spitfire Experience, where you get to sit in the cockpit of an actual real-life Spitfire.
When to visit
Open daily 10am-5pm.
Ticket info
Entry is free, but certain exhibitions and experiences are ticketed.
Time Out tip
The RAF Museum is a great option for anyone with anyone little’uns wanting a bit of breathing space. It runs free events for kids throughout the year, including ‘Little Swifts’ for kids aged 2-5 which keeps them entertained in all sorts of plane-themed ways.