After my Asia trip, I knew it would be a long slog through to my next vacation (5 months without a day off, which I know isn’t that bad, but I had a ruthless work schedule approaching). So I knew I had to plan a few nice things over the weekends to keep me going. First on that list was a day trip to Duxford!
Whether you are a die-hard aviation enthusiast, interested in history, or just looking for a cool day trip from London or Cambridge, the Imperial War Museum Duxford is a great option for kids and adults alike!
Surprisingly for the Cambridgeshire countryside, Duxford is Europe’s largest aviation museum, and it is packed to the rafters with planes. It still operates as a historic airfield, and tells the story of the pivotal role it played during WW2 and The Battle of Britain.
As I was spending the day with my little god-daughter, and the forecast was rain on a breezy August day, we thought it would be a good choice (she loves planes), and it massively exceeded our expectations. Even with a 3 year old in tow, we spent 5.5 hours in the Museum. At the beginning of the day she said she wanted to “see a blue plane, and a rainbow plane, is that a plan Aunty Hannah?” It was indeed our plan, and we saw those and much, much more.
So, here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect day at IWM Duxford.
Practical Visitor Information
- Location: Duxford, Cambridgeshire (just off Junction 10 of the M11). There is a large, free car park on site.
- Opening times: Open daily, 10am–6pm (Last entry 5pm).
- Time Needed: 4-6 hours.
- Entry Costs: Are steep, at £25 on the door for an adult ticket, and £10 for a child ticket (5-15). Children under 5 are free. Book online in advance to save a small amount on entry tickets.
- Facilities: There are multiple toilets on site, plus 2 big cafes and 1 small cafe. Lunch options include burgers, fish & chips, jacket potatoes – all the normal British favourites.
- Access: The site is large to walk around, but there is a shuttle mini-van that can take you between the hangars if you have mobility challenges (or just don’t fancy the walk)!
Important: Please check in advance on the website if you’re visiting on a special event day. Duxford often run airshows which sell out months in advance, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly.
What to See and Do at IWM Duxford
The site spans over a mile of active airfield, packed with historic hangars, iconic planes, and rare civilian aircraft. There is so much to see and do, but here is a brief overview.
Hangar 1 (including Concord)
Hangar 1 is the first building you come to at the entrance of the Museum. It’s home to a huge collection of planes, including an Avro Vulcan Bomber, and you can see the legendary Avro Lancaster up close. It’s in here you can also go inside some of the planes.
The highlight for me was being able to go on-board Concorde 101. The version in this museum was the British pre-production model used by test pilots to push the aircraft’s design boundaries before commercial flights began. During testing in 1974, it reached a top speed of Mach 2.23 (1,450 mph)-making it the fastest plane in the entire Concorde fleet. My little goddaughter thought it was the best thing since sliced bread going onboard.
Hangars 2 & 3 (Active Airfield)
This hangar is filled with active aircraft that continue flying today. This is a working site, with aircraft testing their engines, taking off into the sky, circling overhead, and landing. Inside this hangar, mechanics and engineers are maintaining historic aircraft from the First and Second World Wars.
Unique Experience: If you are in to your planes, you can book to be flown up in an original Tiger Moth or Spitfire. My Dad did this a few years ago and absolutely loved it!
Hangar 4 (The Battle of Britain)
This was really the heart of the history of 1940 Duxford. There are some really informative boards explaining the history of the German attacks on Britain during WW2, and you can walk among authentic Supermarine Spitfires, Hawker Hurricanes, and German Messerschmitts in the very location where RAF pilots were based during WWII.
The American Air Museum
Housed inside a dramatic Norman Foster-designed hangar that feels like you’re entering a secret bunker (or Tracey island if you’re old enough to remember Thunderbirds), this collection features the largest display of US military aircraft outside the United States. Highlights include the menacing SR-71 Blackbird, a massive B-52 Stratofortress, and the B-29 Superfortress.
Particularly interesting to me was the story these American military personnel played in shaping East Anglia. The majority of US air bases were in this region, and it meant tens of thousands of US soldiers living in the area and supporting Britain in its war efforts. Reading some of their stories was really moving.
Outside (including The Queen’s Plane)
Outside the hangars there is also plenty to see. There are lots of planes which are on rotation to be able to board. You could find the British Airways plane open, or many other options. You can also see the historic planes taking off for pre-booked flights or testing which is pretty cool.
However, the absolute highlight is The Queen’s Plane.
This plane officially flew Queen Elizabeth II, members of the Royal Family, and high-ranking government ministers as part of The Queen’s Flight. It was delivered in 1986 as one of the first VIP jet airliners dedicated to the Royal Family, and made it’s final official flight in January 2022. It landed directly on Duxford’s runway to join the collection on site. My god-daughter was so well behaved and super excited to sit in the Queen’s seat!
Important: To visit the Queen’s Plane costs an additional £3 per person (kids go free).
Top Insider Tips for Your Day Out
- Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes: The museum stretches across a former RAF base. You’ll easily clock 10,000 steps walking between Hangar 1 and the American Air Museum. If you have children, make sure you bring a buggy if they’re not able to walk that far. My 3 year old god-daughter was exhausted by the end, but utterly refused to get on the shuttle bus!
- Keep an Eye on the Runway: Because Duxford is an active general aviation airfield, you’ll frequently catch private vintage aircraft taking off and landing throughout regular museum operating days. Visiting when it’s raining will reduce your likelihood of seeing this.
- Time Your Visit with Air Shows: Duxford hosts world-renowned aerial displays, including the Duxford Summer Air Show and the famous autumn Battle of Britain Air Show. If you visit during an air show weekend, pre-book special tickets well in advance.
And there you have it, a guide to visiting the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. What do you think? We had such a wonderful day out with lots of excitement and fun. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in War history, aviation or just looking for a fun day out with the kids. After almost 6 hours, we were exhausted and ready for a nap in the car home (and that was just me!).
Stay safe and happy travelling!
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