Whilst compiling the trails, I took in many interesting museums and aviation collections. They represent a fine tribute to the numerous men and women who served with the RAF or USAAF, and many have close links to a particular airfield, squadron or group. Most of these museums are run by volunteers and have little or no entrance fee, a real bonus to any day out!
As they are run by volunteers, some have very limited opening times or there are access restrictions due to the nature of the site. If you do decide to visit, please check the official website for opening times, directions, and other important information before setting off on your journey.
If you click on the museum name in the table it will take you to the official website (where it is available) and if you click on the trail number, it will take you to the trail where I visited it.
As I visit more museums on my ‘expeditions’, I will update the page adding their details here, so do please come back and see what other superb aviation collections there are around.
As a final note, some of these places may have unfortunately been closed on my particular day of visit, and so I cannot comment on the quality of exhibits. This page is not meant as any kind of official review or recommendation, but in my opinion, they are all great places to visit as part of any trail around Britain’s aviation heritage.
Please feel free to comment about your own experience or if there have been updates to the exhibits since my visit, I would love to hear from you.
Museum
|
Trail
|
| Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Lincolnshire |
1 |
| Bircham Newton Heritage Centre |
20 |
| Blickling Hall, RAF Oulton, Norfolk |
35 |
| Brenzett Aeronautical Museum, Kent |
18 |
| City of Norwich Aviation Museum, Norfolk |
8 |
| Cosford (RAF) Museum |
Flickr |
| Cranwell (RAF) Aeroflight Museum, Lincolnshire |
2 |
| Crail Museum and Heritage Centre |
53 |
| Debach, 493rd BG(H) Museum, Suffolk |
39 |
| de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, Hertfordshire |
5 |
| Hardwick, 93rd BG Museum, Norfolk |
12 |
| Hethel, 389th BG Museum, Norfolk |
38 |
| Imperial War Museum, Duxford |
Flickr |
| Imperial War Museum, North, Manchester |
N/A |
| Jet Age Museum, Gloucester |
N/A |
| Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge, Kent |
18 |
| Langham Dome (RAF Langham), Norfolk |
23 |
| Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, (Headcorn), Kent |
18 |
| Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, Lincolnshire |
1 |
| Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum |
48 (coming soon) |
| Manchester Museum Of Science and Industry (MOSI) – Air & Space |
Flickr |
| Midland Air Museum, Baginton, Coventry. |
26 |
| National Museum of Flight (Scotland) |
43 |
| Newark Air Museum, Nottinghamshire |
2 |
| Norfolk and Suffolk Air Museum, Suffolk |
14 |
| Parham Airfield Museum, 390th BG, Suffolk |
39 |
| RAF Manston History Museum, Kent |
Coming soon |
| RAF Museum (London) Hendon |
Flickr |
| RAF Scampton Heritage Centre (did include the RAF Fire Fighting museum at the time of visiting) |
30 |
| Rougham Control Tower Museum (94th BG) Suffolk |
16 |
| Shoreham Aircraft Museum, Kent |
4 |
| Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, Kent |
4 |
Thorpe Abbotts, 100th BG Museum and Memorial, Norfolk
|
12 |
| Thorpe Camp Visitors Centre, Lincolnshire |
1 |
| Watton (RAF) Museum, Norfolk |
9 |
Witchford (RAF) Display, Cambridgeshire
|
11 |
| Waterbeach (RAF) Museum, Cambridgeshire |
11 |
| Yorkshire Air Museum (Elvington) |
Flickr |
|
|
|
|
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Hi again
Yes I would like do “Swap” and photo’s.
I was Air Wireless at Mamby/Strubby and Swinderby back in the late 50’s I have written a short item for the RAF Bomb Disposal Ass Newsletter which relates to 60 years with Military Aviation if it is of interest to. Just come to mind Fort Paull, Near Hull has the sole remaining Beverley (grand aircraft to work on).
MD
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It’s odd you mention those places, my father also served there at the end of his career mid 50s before being demobbed. His memories are a little jaded of that time and details sketchy, but it may have been possible your paths crossed at some point. He went on to work at Scottish Aviation and at Armstrong Whitworth at Bagington in Coventry. If you would like to add your article (with full credit of course) I could post it on here for you, I would certainly be interested to read it. Easiest way it to email it to me and I’ll gladly add it. Photos written articles etc all is welcome! Andy
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Furter to my last comment. There is a small Museum (about 9 aircraft) of which I am a member at Carlisle Airport called the Solway Aviation Museum. Just about 6 miles from Junct 44 of the M6. Well worth checking out.
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Thanks again Malcolm. I believe I may have been there many many years ago whilst on one of our family holidays. It certainly rings a bell, but I shall add it to my list of places to go when next there. Thanks again. If you would like to share any photos etc please let me know!
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Hi
I spend about 6 weeks a year travelling around Scotland in my Sleeper van and can recommend the Montrosed Air Statio Heritage Centre and The Museum of Flight near New Berwick. Only wish there were more in Scotland.
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Hi Malcolm, thanks for mentioning that, I don’t sadly get to northern England or Scotland as often as I would like, rather sad as I’m of Scottish blood, but it’s one I will look out for next time. There are many little museums out there all worthy of a mention and a visit. I really appreciate you dropping by and commenting. Safe travels!
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