Which are the Best UK Aviation Museums to Visit This Summer?

This summer, aviation enthusiasts and casual visitors alike can explore some of the best UK aviation museums—from historic wartime hangars to airfield-based memorials. With free entry at many sites, fascinating exhibits, and special air displays, these museums offer experiences for all ages.

Here’s a curated guide to top-notch UK aviation museums to visit this season.

Imperial War Museum Duxford (Cambridgeshire)

One of the UK’s premier aviation museums, Duxford is set on a working airfield and offers spacious hangars, interactive exhibits, and flying displays. Notable rare aircraft include Concorde G‑AXDN, the only complete R.E.8, TSR‑2 XR 222, B‑52 Stratofortress and the SR‑71 Blackbird in the American Air Museum.
Opening times (summer 2025): Sunday 23 March to Saturday 25 October, open daily 10 am–6 pm (last entry 5 pm).
Website

[Watch: The British Airliner Collection at Duxford]

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum (Yeovilton, Somerset)

Set adjacent to the active RNAS Yeovilton air base, this museum focuses on the history of British naval aviation. It boasts over 100 aircraft, including rare types like the Fairey Swordfish, Sea Harrier, Concorde prototype and Supermarine Seafire. A dramatic aircraft carrier experience lets visitors walk through a recreated hangar deck and flight operations area.
Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm; daily in Summer school holidays.
Website

Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial (York)

Set on the former RAF Elvington airfield, this expansive independent museum is also Europe’s only Allied Air Forces Memorial. Its collection spans replica WWI biplanes to Cold War jets including Lightning F.6, Buccaneers, Nimrod MR.2 and more.
Opening times: Summer (March–October) daily 10 am-5 pm; last entry at 4 pm.
Website

Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

National Museum of Flight (East Fortune, Scotland)

Located on the historic East Fortune airfield near Edinburgh, this is Scotland’s national aviation museum. The museum spans multiple hangars, each themed around different eras and aspects of flight, from early aviation to the jet age. A major highlight is Concorde G-BOAA, which visitors can explore inside. Other attractions include a Vulcan bomber, military jets, and civilian aircraft from the British Airways collection, like this Boeing 707.
Opening times: Summer (April–October) daily 10 am-5 pm; last entry at 4 pm; last entry at 4 pm. Winter (November-March) 10 am-4 pm
Website

RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford

RAF Museum Midlands (Cosford)

This free-admission museum hosts a comprehensive collection spanning WWI, WWII and the jet age. Highlights include a rare Boulton Paul Defiant, TSR‑2, Vickers Valiant, Vickers Wellington, the world’s oldest surviving Spitfire, and missile displays in the Cold War Exhibition.
Opening times: Summer (March–October) daily 10 am–5 pm; Winter (November–February) 10 am–4 pm, last entry at 3:30 pm.
Website

Concorde G-BBDG at Brooklands.

Brooklands Museum (Weybridge, Surrey)

Built on the site of the historic Brooklands aerodrome and motor racing circuit, this museum offers a unique combination of aviation and motoring history. Aviation exhibits include a VC10, Concorde G-BBDG, and a variety of British-built aircraft and airliners. The museum also celebrates the role of Brooklands in aircraft design and testing, with strong links to Vickers and BAC.
Opening times: Open daily 10 am-5 pm.
Website

Midland Air Museum (Coventry)

Located adjacent to Coventry Airport, this independent museum showcases a diverse range of postwar British military aircraft and jet engines. Star attractions include a Gloster Meteor, Avro Vulcan, and a Saudi Lightning. The Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre pays tribute to the jet engine pioneer born nearby.
Opening times: Summer (April–October) daily 10 am–5 pm; Winter (November–February) 10 am–4:30 pm.
Website

Hawker Hurricane at the RAF Museum London

RAF Museum London (Hendon)

This north London museum is one of the UK’s premier aviation heritage centres. Its collection includes iconic RAF aircraft like the Avro Lancaster, Spitfire, Vulcan, and Lightning, as well as examples of some very early aircraft types. The museum is arranged in several hangars covering the history of flight, the RAF’s role in WWII, and Cold War operations. Entry is free.
Opening times: Open daily 10 am-5 pm.
Website

[Read: A Visit to the RAF Museum at Hendon]

Boeing 707 cockpit at the South Wales Aviation Museum.

South Wales Aviation Museum (St Athan)

A relatively new addition to the UK’s aviation museum scene, SWAM is a community-run museum at the former RAF St Athan airfield. It has quickly built up a significant collection of former RAF and Royal Navy jets, including a Hunter, Phantom, and Jet Provosts. The museum is expanding regularly and often allows cockpit access.
Opening times: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.
Website

AirUK Handley Page Herald G-ASKK

City of Norwich Aviation Museum (Norwich Airport)

Situated on the north side of Norwich Airport, this museum focuses on Norfolk’s aviation heritage. It features a growing outdoor collection including a Vulcan, Canberra, and Nimrod MR.2, along with airliners like the Fokker F-27 and Handley Page Herald. The indoor displays cover the region’s wartime RAF and USAF connections.
Opening times: Daily, 10 am–5 pm; last entry at 4pm.
Website

[Read: City of Norwich Aviation Museum’s Airliner Collection]

The Shuttleworth Collection (Old Warden, Bedfordshire)

Housed at Old Warden Aerodrome, Shuttleworth is home to one of the most complete and airworthy collections of vintage aircraft in the world. It includes pioneering Edwardian-era flyers, WWI and interwar aircraft, many of which still fly at the museum’s regular airshows. Unique highlights include the Bristol Boxkite replica, Avro Triplane, and Deperdussin Monoplane.
Opening times: Summer (April-October) daily, 10 am-5 pm; last entry 4:30 pm. Winter (November-March) daily, 10 am-4 pm; last entry 3:30 pm.
Website

[Read: Old Warden and the Shuttleworth Collection]

Newark Air Museum (Nottinghamshire)

Located on a former WWII RAF bomber station near Newark-on-Trent, this museum houses over 80 aircraft and cockpit sections. It features a Handley Page Hastings, Vulcan, Mig-23, Lightning, Sea Harrier, and many others, along with indoor exhibitions and restoration projects. Newark is well known for its hands-on access and annual cockpit fest.
Opening times: Summer (March–October) daily 10 am–5 pm; last entry 4 pm. Winter (November–February) 10 am–4 pm; last entry 3 pm.
Website

G-BOAF at the Aerospace Bristol Museum

Aerospace Bristol (Filton, Bristol)

Set on the historic Filton site where many British aircraft were developed, this museum tells the story of the UK’s aviation industry. It is home to Concorde Alpha Foxtrot (G-BOAF)—the last Concorde to fly—and includes immersive exhibits about the BAC, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce legacy in the region. The museum also explores aerospace technology and future innovation.
Opening times: Daily 10 am-4:30 pm.
Website

Short Sandringham at the Solent Sky Museum. Photo (c) John Madden

Solent Sky Museum (Southampton)

This compact but fascinating museum focuses on Southampton’s rich aviation history, especially its role in flying boat development and the Supermarine aircraft company. Key aircraft include the Sandringham flying boat, Spitfire F.24, and experimental types like the Saunders-Roe SR.A/1. The museum also has a unique Hampshire Police helicopter simulator experience.
Opening times: Daily 10 am-5 pm.
Website

Tips for Planning Your Visits

• Many museums offer free admission, but entry to special exhibitions or air shows may cost extra.

• Pre-booking is recommended—especially for Duxford and Cosford—during busy summer months.

• A number of sites run special events, such as air shows (e.g. Duxford’s Summer Air Show on 21–22 June 2025). Keep an eye on individual museums’ websites for more information.

• Check museum websites before visiting—as opening hours, special closures or exhibition availability may vary.

Which of these museums have you visited? Which is your favourite? Leave a comment below!