Things to do at Royal Airforce Museum
With five Hangars full of historical artefacts and immersive exhibits, this museum will leave an impact.
Exhibitions and displays
Starting in Hangar 1, you’ll be met with a host of multi-sensory experiences, including sounds and smells steeped in military history.
Do you have what it takes to pilot a plane? Discover whether you’re flight-ready with reaction and multi-tasking tests before putting those skills into practice in the flight simulator.
You can even try on an RAF uniform for size.
Hangar 2 displays more personal artefacts from former RAF personnel alongside their inspiring stories. In Hangars 3-5, discover the aircraft and fighter pilots that defeated the German Luftwaffe and won the Battle of Britain. In Hangars 3-4, you’ll even find the Supermarine Stranraer, the last flying boat ever used by the RAF.
Tickets
Admission to the Royal Air Force Museum is free, but you’ll need to book an entry time in advance. Once you’ve booked, they’ll send you a complete list of displays and exhibitions open to visitors during your visit.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit the RAF Museum’s ticket site.
Flight Simulator
Beyond its fascinating display of objects, the museum also hosts fun-filled hands-on experiences.
Adrenaline junkie? Take a ride in the high-motion flight simulator. Test your pilot skills as you soar over the Lake District in an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon.
The flight simulator is available on weekends and during school and bank holidays. Tickets cost £5 per person, and a family of four can ride together for just £16.
Tours
While its vast permanent collections make it one of the best free things to do in London, the museum’s guided tours are well worth checking out. When guided by an expert, you’ll see the RAF Museum from a whole new perspective.
There’s a different tour for every day of the week, focusing on a new era of aviation, so check the schedule in advance. Recent tours have delved into the Battle of Britain, the First World War and the Cold War. Each tour lasts one hour, during which you’ll be guided through the unique stories of the people and aircraft that make RAF history.
The museum allows up to 10 people per tour. Tours start at 11:00 and 14:00 daily and cost £10 per person. Book your tour via the official bookings website before travelling to avoid disappointment.
Outdoor playground
Visiting with the little ones? They’ll love the museum’s free outdoor playground. After exciting their curiosities in the museum, let their imaginations run wild in the play area. Miniature Spitfires and Sea-King helicopters double as climbing frames and slides. It’s the perfect end to a fun-filled family day out.
Tips for enjoying the Royal Air Force Museum
Ensure your visit is stress-free with these quick tips:
- The Royal Air Force Museum is open daily from 10:00-17:00, including on bank holiday weekends.
- Photos and videos are allowed at the museum, but tripods and lighting equipment should be left at home.
- Bikes and scooters are forbidden.
- Lockers are available in Hangar 1 for £1 (refundable).
Food and drink
With so much history to digest, you’ll be delighted to know the museum has two onsite cafes to stop and re-energise.
Hendon Kitchen is a café serving hot and cold food and drinks in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. It provides a range of light bites and lunches, including pizzas, burgers and salads, as well as a variety of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. A kid’s menu is also available on weekends and bank holidays.
Hendon Kitchen is open 10:00-17:00 on weekdays and 11:00-16:00 during weekends and holidays.
The Sunderland Café is another onsite café available to those visiting on weekends and holidays. It’s conveniently situated by the museum’s main entrance, so you can grab a light snack and a hot drink before exploring the museum.
Fancy some fresh air? Why not pick a spot on one of the green areas around the museum? You can borrow a bean bag or a parachute rug to picnic.
Places to stay near the Royal Air Force Museum
Travelling to the Royal Air Force Museum from afar? Why not stay the night in London? There are plenty of hotels nearby.
Premier Inn London Hendon and Travelodge London Finchley are comfortable, family-friendly options for those on a budget. The Hide London is an ideal compromise between style and budget, while the Pillar Hotel is an excellent luxury option, with bright, modern rooms and two-acre gardens.
Royal Air Force Museum accessibility
The Royal Air Force Museum ensures its facilities are available to everyone. It offers free-to-use manual wheelchairs on request. It also has a fully accessible Changing Places toilet in Hangar 2. Lift and wheelchair access is available in all Hangars.
Hangars 1 and 6 offer subtitles and audio handsets for those with hearing aids. Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
For more information, check the museum’s accessibility page.
