Where: 20 minutes drive from Langley Farm Cottages. Post Code CB22 4QR. Well sign-posted. Free parking. Adult tickets from £17.10, Children from £8.55 Family discounts. Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
Why visit
Part of the 5-strong Imperial War Museum collection, this site was a key airfield in the Battle of Britain and also home to the 78th Fighter group of the US Air Force during World War II.
The museum houses a large and fascinating collection of aircraft, both historical and more up-to-date. Get up close and personal with a Spitfire, Vulcan bomber or Concorde. Duxford is an ideal family day out, as many of the exhibits are under cover, but to enjoy all the site make sure you take good clothing as the outside exhibits can be windy. You can take a picnic to eat outside, or take advantage of the on-site cafes or restaurant. The site is large, but they run an electric bus to help you get about. It’s certainly a place to budget on spending at least half a day at.
Book online to get a 10% discount and faster entry. A Family ticket with 2 adults includes up to 6 children, so take some friends!
Depending on the time of year, there are flying displays, or the chance to fly in one of their historic aircraft if you book ahead. Check their website for more information.
Trivia: The airfield was used in the film The Battle of Britain. During that production, one of the hangars was blown up to simulate a Luftwaffe bombing raid.
More / Background
RAF Duxford is the UK’s largest aviation museum, Duxford houses the museum's large exhibits, including nearly 200 aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven main exhibition buildings. The site also provides storage space for the museum's other collections of material such as film, photographs, documents, books and artefacts. The site accommodates several British Army regimental museums, including those of the Parachute Regiment (named Airborne Assault) and the Royal Anglian Regiment.
Based on the historic Duxford Aerodrome, the site was originally operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the First World War. During the Second World War Duxford played a prominent role during the Battle of Britain and was later used by United States Army Air Forces fighter units in support of the daylight bombing of Germany. Duxford remained an active RAF airfield until 1961. After the Ministry of Defence declared the site surplus to requirements in 1969 the Imperial War Museum received permission to use part of the site for storage. The entirety of the site was transferred to the museum in February 1976.
In keeping with the site's history many of Duxford's original buildings, such as hangars used during the Battle of Britain, are still in use. Many of these buildings are of particular architectural or historic significance and over thirty have listed building status. The site features several purpose-built exhibition buildings, such as the Stirling Prize-winning American Air Museum, designed by Sir Norman Foster.
The site remains an active airfield and is used by civilian flying companies, and hosts regular air shows. Ref Wikipedia