Map and site directoryThe South West Region

Aerospace Bristol is an aerospace museum at Filton, to the north of Bristol, England. The project is run by the Bristol Aero Collection Trust and houses a varied collection of exhibits, including Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the final Concorde to be built and the last to fly. From the earliest days of powered flight to the cutting-edge technology of tomorrow, visitors are inspired by fun practical science interactives and amazing exhibits, including aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites and more.…Read more

Address: Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5BZ

Phone: 0117 931 5315

Email: info@aerospacebristol.org

aerospacebristol.org/

The Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (at Old Sarum Airfield) has dozens of aircraft, cockpits, replicas and models weapons and trials equipment to show the story of flight and flight test in the UK. The cockpits are mostly open and you can sit in and use the controls. There are guides to answer questions and show you round. Exhibits of national importance including the unique Sea Harrier XZ 457 and the rare Comit C Mk 2 Sagittarius. …Read more

Address: Hangar 1 South, Old Sarum Airfield, Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6DZ

Phone: 01722 323 636

www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/

We’re different to many other museums and offer a “hands-on” experience. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to climb into the cockpits of many of our aircraft. Imagine what it is like to be a pilot by handling the controls and fly away to wherever your imagination desires.The Museum is for all age groups right from the very youngest children through to the men and women who may have flown or worked on some of these aircraft during their careers. We truly hope that you will enjoy your time at our Museum as well as inspiring young boys and girls to become the pilots, air traffic controllers, or engineers of the future.We have worked hard since 2008 to build up the Museum into what you see to-day. We continue to develop it still further with new exhibits being added all the time such as the Jet Provost T5 and the Cri-Cri small aircraft. This highlights the varied mix of exhibits we have with both civil and military aircraft and other interesting exhibits such as the Control Tower, Airport Fire Engine and Double-Decker bus. The Museum encourages visitors to sit in the cockpits of most of the exhibits for a truly hands-on experience and thus provides a memorable and inspiring visit for all those interested in aviation.…Read more

Address: Bournemouth Aviation Charitable Foundation, Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 6BA.

Phone: 01202 473 141

Email: enquiries@bamhurn.org

www.bamhurn.org

We are a tri-service museum but as we are on a WW2 RAF Station the RAF have a strong representation. Some of our buildings are original WW2 with other buildings added by us. We provide an extensive range of displays from 1914 to the present. Artefacts are our main emphasis, real kit used by real people supported by film presentations and narrations. Allow approx 2.5 hrs for your visit. All ages, male and female and nationalities seem to appreciate their time spent with us. Check our website for details of our guided airfield tours in our vintage crewbus. Booking is essential for the bus tour but to visit the museum just turn up, no booking required.…Read more

Address: Davidstow Camelford, PL32 9YF (Next door to the Cheese Factory)

Phone: 07799 194918 (Steve)

Email: steve@cornwallatwarmuseum.co.uk

cornwallatwarmuseum.co.uk

During the Second World War and the Cold War Years that followed RAF Defford was one of the most secret places in the country. For it was at Defford that Airborne Radar was developed, tested and proven. Various communal and domestic sites, including the Station Sick Quarters (now restored and used to house the RAF Defford Museum), were built in Croome Park and around Croome Court, the ancestral home of the Earls of Coventry. The Museum tells the story of Defford Airfield, especially the work of the Telecommunications Flying Unit and its role in the development of airborne radar during WWII and the Cold War that followed. Exhibits include the cockpit and forward fuselage of Canberra WD956, a ground training simulator and an exhibition telling the story of Defford’s role during the Cold War years. The museum is located within Croome Park, now owned by the National Trust. There is no additional charge for admission to the Museum for visitors to Croome (free to members of the National Trust, charges apply for non-members).…Read more

Address: Croome Park (National Trust), near High Green, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR8 9DW

Phone: 01905 371006 (National Trust, Croome)

Email: croome@nationaltrust.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome/features/raf-defford

Dunkeswell Airfield was built between 1942 & 1943 and it was initially occupied by the USAAF 479th Anti Submarine Squadron and then by the US Navy and was the only US naval airbase in Europe that undertook U boat hunting in the Bay of Biscay. Our substantial photographic archive provides a unique insight to life on the base. Unlike the British, the Americans had access to film and faced very little restriction on what they photographed. As a result we have been able to collect over many years, what we think is a fantastic selection of over 400 photographs. Mostly professionally taken, including some taken by the Germans, that provide a story-line and window in time that allows us to see what life was actually like and what took place at the Airfield during the second world war. We have now combined this with official film taken at the time, historical narrative, uniforms, dioramas, models and WW2 artefacts that together, tell the story of the men and women who served here. Find out how coastal command went about hunting German U boats and how Ford built a B24 Liberator in 55 minutes.…Read more

Address: Dunkeswell Airfield , Honiton Devon, EX14 4LG

Phone: 07778 857722

Email: info@southwestairfields.co.uk

www.southwestairfields.co.uk/page6.html

The Fleet Air Arm Museum tells the story of the Royal Navy In the Air. With four exhibition halls, over ninety aircraft and over two million records and 30,000 artefacts the Museum is Europe's largest naval aviation museum. In addition it houses the first British Concorde which you can go on board, view the cockpit and visit the award winning Aircraft Carrier Experience. The Museum is located at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (also known as HMS Heron) in Somerset. With more flights in and out of RNAS Yeovilton than any other military air station in Europe, you are likely to see aircraft going through their rigorous training procedures.…Read more

Address: RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester BA22 8HT

Phone: 01935 840565

Email: fleetairarm.enquiries@nmrn.org.uk

www.fleetairarm.com/

The Friends of the New Forest Airfields is the only museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of the 12 New Forest airfields - RAF Stoney Cross, RAF Beaulieu, RAF Holmsley South, RAF Ibsley, RAF Needs Oar Point, RAF Lymington, RAF Christchurch, RAF Hurn, RAF Winkton, RNAS/RAF Calshot,RAF Bisterne, RAF Sopley ,RFC/RAF East Boldre and RAF Sway - that played such an important role during World War II and D-Day.Located in the last remaining building of the former RAF Sopley Camp, you can meet and talk to our knowledgeable volunteers as you explore the interactive display screens, models, dioramas, artefacts, pilot’s stories and prints, many of which are signed by the pilots and crew. …Read more

Address: Mosquito Way, off Derritt Lane, Bransgore, Christchurch, BH23 8HE

Email: fonfainfo@gmail.com

fonfa.co.uk

Greenham Control Tower is a visitor centre and community café with the aim of preserving and sharing the historical legacy of one of the few remaining airfield buildings. It shares the story of Greenham Common and offers space to enjoy the common from a fascinating and dynamic location.…Read more

Address: Burys Bank Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG19 8BZ

Email: info@greenhamtower.org.uk

www.greenhamtower.org.uk

The museum celebrates Gloucestershire’s rich aviation heritage from the early days of flight, through the birth of the Jet Age to the present day. It is staffed only by volunteers, some of whom flew in aircraft we have on display. There are a wide range of aircraft, engines and restoration projects on display. There are timed guided tours of our Avro Vulcan bomber cockpit and our Hawker Siddeley Trident airliner. Entry is free.…Read more

Address: Meteor Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL2 9QL

Phone: 01452 260078

Email: contact@jetagemuseum.org

jetagemuseum.org

Maidenhead Heritage Centre holds the world’s leading collection of ATA memorabilia, including 140 logbooks and thousands of photographs. We particularly welcome personal visitors to the museum to view additional archive material as well uniforms, navigation equipment, maps and diaries – and a fabulous Spitfire simulator.The Maidenhead Heritage Centre and ATA exhibition and archive explores and explains the history of Maidenhead and its surroundings, including the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), which was headquartered at White Waltham airfield during World War II. It is normally open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Apart from two part-time paid staff, the museum is run entirely by volunteers.The mission of the centre is to preserve and celebrate the area’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.The on-line ATA archive can be found at: www.atamuseum.org …Read more

Address: Maidenhead Heritage Centre, 18 Park Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1SL.

Phone: 01628 780 555

Email: info@maidenheadheritage.org.uk

maidenheadheritage.org.uk

Berkshire's dynamic contribution to aviation history is graphically recaptured at the museum that aims to preserve this heritage and make it available for the enjoyment of visitors, and for future generations. The museum is at the historic site of Woodley Airfield, near Reading, once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry. The Museum covers all aspects of Aviation in Berkshire, including Miles Aircraft and Handley Page at Woodley, Fairey Aviation and ML Aviation in White Waltham, and Elliotts of Newbury, along with fascinating pictorial records and priceless archives.The Museum contains many exhibits and artefacts connected with Military Aviation, from No 1 School of Military Aeronautics established at Reading in 1915, through the Miles Magister trainer, the Miles Martinet target tug, and displays on Air Transport Auxiliary, Douglas Bader's crash at Woodley and building Spitfires in Reading and Newbury.…Read more

Address: Mohawk Way, Woodley, Berkshire RG5 4UE

Phone: 0118 944 8089

Email: MuseumBerksAv@gmail.com

museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk/

The REME Museum is located in what was the Officer’s Mess at the former RAF Lyneham. REME is responsible for recovering, maintaining and repairing all of the Army’s equipment including the Army Air Corps helicopters. Our Museum tells the story of REME and the collection includes a Scout helicopter suspended from the celling and a Lynx helicopter in an outside display in the grounds. The display also explains the role REME Aircraft and Avionic Technicians play in supporting the Army Air Corps.…Read more

Address: Calne Road, Lyneham, Wiltshire SN15 4XX

Phone: 01249 894869

Email: enquiries@rememuseum.org.uk

www.rememuseum.org.uk/

The Museum holds an extensive collection charting over 100 years of the British Army in the air. With over 35 fixed wing and rotary aircraft on display, the Museum is the perfect place to explore the fascinating history of army aviation. If you pay once you can visit all year! You can also visit our Apache Café which overlooks an active airfield and is a great spot to enjoy a bite to eat and enjoy the view. It's open daily with no need for museum admission. The museum also holds a regular program of events throughout the year.…Read more

Address: Kentsboro, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB

Phone: 01264 781086

Email: info@armyflying.com

www.armyflying.com

The Helicopter Museum houses the world's largest collection of helicopters including the world speed record holder, two aircraft of the Queen's Royal Flight, a Russian anti-tank gunship and numerous rotorcraft that hold top benchmark status on the National Aviation Heritage Register. The Museum is also home to the Weston Aviation Exhibition which showcases the remarkable aviation history of the local area. Themed events, open cockpit days and helicopter flight days take place throughout the year. Shop, cafe and film theatre are also on site.…Read more

Address: The Heliport, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS24 8PP

Phone: 01934 635227

Email: contact@helimuseum.com

helimuseum.com

The Royal Observer Corps Museum Trust (ROCM) manages a small independent volunteer-run museum established in 1974 within the Headquarters of 14 Group Royal Observer Corps in Abbotts Road, Winchester, as a collection of historic items for viewing by visitors to the HQ. It was subsequently developed into a Museum open to the public (by appointment).The Stand-down of the ROC in 1992 led to the closure of the HQ building and the loss of the ROCM location, since when the ROCM has been without a permanent major display (having just a small one in Solent Sky, Southampton).The ROCM meets its obligations in making its Collection and services available to the public through its Exhibitions Programme, mounting exhibitions of varying length in museums, galleries, heritage centres, libraries etc. …Read more

Address: Solent Sky Museum, Albert Road 5, Southampton, SO14 3FR.

Phone: 023 8069 3823

Email: xrocmunc@gmail.com

www.therocmuseum.org

Upottery was the last wartime airfield to be built on the Blackdown Hills. In April 1944, the USAAF 439th Troop Carrier Group arrived with 80 C-47 transport planes in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. In late May American paratroops from the 1st & 2nd Battalions of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division arrived, including the famous Easy company of “Band of Brothers” fame. The exhibition in our Heritage Centre features a unique collection of photographs, of Aircraft and Personnel preparing for the invasion and film of their take-off. We also provide airfield tours by arrangement.…Read more

Address: Slough Lane, Smeatharpe, Devon, EX14 9RD

Phone: 07778 857722

Email: info@southwestairfields.co.uk

www.southwestairfields.co.uk/page5.html