Royal Air Force Museum RAF
Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
Museum Overview
The RAF Museum in London is a huge venue with 6 hangars full of aircraft and interactive displays. In the first hangar, you can learn about the RAF and its many different job roles. There’s a uniform dress-up area, interactive screens, sit-on model planes and some great challenges to have a go at. You can really immerse yourself in some of the job roles and see if you’ve got what it takes to fit the bill. This hangar is also home to one of the Red Arrows aircraft and the huge Short Sunderland MR5 aircraft.Â
Hangar 2 introduces you to the history of early aircraft and then how planes were used in WWI. The craftsmanship on some of the early wooden aircraft is really beautiful. You can pick up the Jacks Family Trail booklet in this hangar to complete as you look around. It’s full of questions for the kids to find the answers to which is a great way of keeping them interested and reading the displays.
Hangars 3,4 and 5 cover aircraft from 1918-1980 including everything from the Battle of Britain to rescue helicopters and seaplanes. You can pay an additional charge to have a go at a flight simulator experience or 4D cinema in these hangars. The Aeronauts area is full of yet more interactive displays as you discover how aircraft work.
Hangar 6 has a display of modern RAF aircraft and the role they play today, as well as how they are adapting for the future. You can also learn about the personal stories of RAF personnel which are really interesting.
The RAF museum is an amazing day out for all ages. It’s free, to visit (there is a small fee for the car park). You can easily spend the entire day there and still not read everything. There are plenty of toilets, several cafes, a souvenir shop, an outdoor play park and seating both indoors and outdoors for picnics. It’s an all-weather attraction as most things are inside. The whole site is disabled/pushchair-friendly.
Further Information Royal Air Force Museum RAF
Is there food and drink available?
There are three cafes inside the venue.
What are the main things to do?
RAF museum with 6 hangars full of aircraft and interactive displays, outdoor themed playground. There are toilets on-site and a choice of places to eat.
What are the ticket prices?
The museum is free to visit.
Is there parking?
If you are visiting by car the car park fees are 0-3 Hours – £4.50 per vehicle, 3-6 Hours – £6.00 per vehicle and up to 9 Hours – £9.00 per vehicle.
When are they open?
Royal Airforce Museum RAF London is open for most of the year. For up-to-date opening times and dates please follow this link.
Dog friendly?
Only assistance dogs are permitted.
Are they accessible?
Guest post with thanks to Katie from Mum’s Family Fun
