Lord Dowding memorial Hangar
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Kent Battle of Britain Museum Hawkinge

4.7
·1k reviews·Hawkinge, United Kingdom

A treasure trove of WWII aviation history with extensive aircraft, pilot stories, and memorabilia, run by dedicated volunteers.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Late July afternoons

Fewer crowds, more relaxed pace

CrowdMedium
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Lord Dowding memorial Hangar

Kent Battle of Britain Museum Hawkinge

Best Time

Late July afternoons

Fewer crowds, more relaxed pace

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A treasure trove of WWII aviation history with extensive aircraft, pilot stories, and memorabilia, run by dedicated volunteers.

4.7
(1k reviews)

"This is a must visit museum for anyone with an interest in the Battle of Britain."

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Photography Rules

Photography is restricted; hand in devices or arrange a guided tour for photo ops.

⏳ Allow Ample Time

Dedicate a full day to explore the extensive exhibits and pilot stories.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 1,007 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Aircraft Collection

Aircraft Collection

Hangars

Explore a vast collection of WWII aircraft and memorabilia, including reconstructed planes and crashed aircraft.

Pilot Memorials

Pilot Memorials

Exhibition Halls

Discover dedicated exhibits for individual pilots, bringing their heroic stories and sacrifices to life.

WWII Memorabilia

WWII Memorabilia

Exhibition Halls

See a packed display of artifacts, uniforms, and training paintings from the Battle of Britain era.

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Planning Your Visit

Photography Restrictions

Photography is strictly prohibited unless accompanied by a guide. Be prepared to hand in your phone or camera upon entry. This is a key point to manage expectations for visitors who want to capture their experience.

Plan for a Full Day

With a tremendous amount of exhibits, life stories of pilots, and aircraft, setting aside a full day is recommended to fully appreciate the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Hawkinge. Volunteers are incredibly enthusiastic and helpful.

Best Times

When
Late July afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed pace
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends (check opening)
Why
Volunteers are present and enthusiastic
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum at old RAF Hawkinge looking sensational ahead of next weekends opening for the 2025 season and the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The volunteers have been incredible, working flat out to make this special Museum bigger and better than ever! So much to see, so do get yourselves a visit planned this year - you won’t be disappointed. #battleofbritain #th...
jonny.cracknell
112 likes • 879 views

📸 Photography Rules

Photography is restricted; hand in devices or arrange a guided tour for photo ops. Reddit

⏳ Allow Ample Time

Dedicate a full day to explore the extensive exhibits and pilot stories. Reddit

Visit the worlds largest Battle of Britain collection, memorabilia and artefacts. With over 700 crashed aircraft on display, the Battle Of Britain Museum is located in Hawkinge, Kent, UK. Open from the 29th March 2024. The museum's chairman Dave Brocklehurst MBE talks about the aim of the "Whirlwind fighter project", to reproduce a single (and the world's only) example of the Westland Whirlwind ...
historysgreatestaircraft
21 likes • 379 views
Hurricane fighters and a Heinkel 111 at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge, England. #ww2#hawker#hurricane#fighter#aircraft#raf#hawkinge #kent#england#royalairforce#fightercommand#air#war#history#museum#memorial#secondworldwar#aviation#worldwar2 #aeroplane#1940s #airplane#wwii#plane#battleofbritain#wartime#airfield#luftwaffe#heinkelhe111
warlenslegacy
375 likes • 4.4K views

🤝 Enthusiastic Volunteers

Engage with friendly volunteers; they enhance the experience with their knowledge. Reddit

✈️ Support Restoration Projects

Learn about ongoing projects, like restoring a Hurricane aircraft. Reddit

Here's a little glimpse of what we have to offer when it comes to our Wartime Show! We had the pleasure of filming the wonderful War Favourites Medley Originally by Vera Lynn, at the beautiful Kent Battle Of Britain Museum in Hawkinge. Thank you to @hardyccphotos for the music video, and to Dan Lucas at @thejoplinhouse for the recording and mixing. We hope you enjoy it! The Jukebox Sweethearts...
thejukeboxsweethearts
47 likes • 1K views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Photography Rules

Photography is restricted; hand in devices or arrange a guided tour for photo ops. Reddit

⏳ Allow Ample Time

Dedicate a full day to explore the extensive exhibits and pilot stories. Reddit

🤝 Enthusiastic Volunteers

Engage with friendly volunteers; they enhance the experience with their knowledge. Reddit

✈️ Support Restoration Projects

Learn about ongoing projects, like restoring a Hurricane aircraft. Reddit

☕ Mess Hall Refreshments

Enjoy a meal or snack at the on-site mess hall after your visit. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Hawkinge for its extensive collection of aircraft and WWII memorabilia, as well as the passionate and knowledgeable volunteers who enhance the experience. While the strict photography policy is noted, most find the depth of exhibits and pilot stories to be a compelling reason to visit.

"What an excellent Museum, the curator and staff go the extra mile to uncover any items related to the battle of Britain. They have separate sections devoted to individual pilots which helps to bring the whole experience to life. There are some amazing aircraft on site and they support various outside projects, including one to bring a hurricane, recovered from a marsh, back hopefully into an airworthy condition.
If you have any interest in the Battle of Britain, then this is a must visit Museum. Set aside a full day as there are a tremendous amount of exhibits and life stories of Pilots."

Hugh Landels

"Me and my dad visited here about a month or so ago, and it was a great experience I must say, brilliant display, but just warning you early, when you walk in and book, you must have your phone in a safe, but if you want to take pictures someone will get called over and guide you to where you are allowed to, but this museum is a good place overall."

Seb Smith

"Brilliant museum. You have to hand in your cameras and phones as photography is strictly prohibited unless accompanied by a guide. I wasn’t that bothered but took these from the outside. Staff were very friendly. They have a memorial exhibit for every airman stationed at the site, who died. I remember reading one account who died long after the war, but most were casualties from the war. Some exhibits were of non British airmen. I’m avoiding keywords that search engines might pick up on.
The museum is packed, I think they must have all their artefacts on show. The item I found most extraordinary were the training paintings, showing a sequence of plane manoeuvres. We visited late on a Friday in late July"

Jenny Wilkinson

What People Like

Vast aircraft collection
Dedicated pilot memorials
Enthusiastic volunteers

What People Dislike

Strict photography rules

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The museum is located in Hawkinge, Kent. While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, it's often best accessed by car. Many visitors mention it's near old RAF Hawkinge airfields. Instagram+1

Parking is generally available for visitors, though specific details on capacity or cost are not always provided. It's advisable to check their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information.

The museum is situated in Hawkinge, a village in Kent. Nearby larger towns include Folkestone and Canterbury, offering additional accommodation and amenities.

Yes, it's possible to visit as a day trip from London, though it requires a significant amount of travel time. Driving is the most efficient method. Instagram

Visitors often combine a trip to the Kent Battle of Britain Museum with other local attractions like the Battle of Britain Memorial or coastal towns. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The museum typically opens for the season in late March and operates until the end of October. Specific daily opening times can vary, so it's best to check their official website or social media for the most current information. Instagram

Admission prices are generally reasonable, reflecting the museum's status as a non-profit organization run by volunteers. Exact costs are best confirmed on their official website, but expect it to be a worthwhile investment for the experience. Reddit

While advance booking might not always be mandatory, it's a good idea, especially during peak season or for special events. This helps manage visitor numbers and ensures a smoother entry experience. Instagram

Yes, photography is strictly prohibited unless you are accompanied by a guide. Visitors are often asked to hand in their phones or cameras upon arrival. Reddit+1

Information on discounts for seniors, students, or families is not always readily available online. It's recommended to inquire directly with the museum staff or check their website for any potential offers.

🎫 ✈️ Onsite Experience

You'll find a vast collection of WWII aviation artifacts, aircraft hangars, planes, uniforms, and detailed exhibits dedicated to individual pilots. It's described as packed with memorabilia. InstagramReddit+1

Yes, the museum boasts a significant collection of aircraft, including reconstructed planes and items from crashed aircraft. Some exhibits focus on restoration projects. InstagramReddit

While the historical content is serious, the visual displays of aircraft and artifacts can be engaging for older children. The museum is family-friendly, and some visitors have noted it's a good trip for families. Instagram

Visitors strongly recommend setting aside a full day to fully explore the museum's extensive exhibits and stories. Reddit

The 'Spirit of the Few' is an unveiling event that took place at the museum, often accompanied by flypasts, celebrating the pilots of the Battle of Britain. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, the museum has an on-site 'mess hall' where visitors can enjoy meals or snacks. This is a convenient option after exploring the exhibits. Reddit

The mess hall offers refreshments and meals, often described as delicious. It provides a thematic dining experience related to the wartime era. Reddit

There are likely local pubs and cafes in the village of Hawkinge and surrounding areas. The Cat and Custard Pot pub is mentioned as being nearby. Instagram

Information on bringing outside food is not explicitly stated. It's best to check with the museum directly or utilize their on-site dining facilities. Reddit

The 'mess hall' offers a dining experience that complements the wartime theme of the museum, providing a unique atmosphere for visitors. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

No, photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum unless you are accompanied by a guide. Visitors are usually asked to surrender their phones and cameras. Reddit+1

The exact reasons for the strict photography policy are not detailed, but it's a common practice in some museums to protect artifacts or maintain a specific visitor experience. Reddit

The only way to take photos inside is by being accompanied by a guide who will direct you to permitted areas. Reddit

Yes, you can take photos from the outside of the museum. Some visitors have shared images taken from the exterior. Reddit

If you get a guided tour, focus on the aircraft, pilot exhibits, and unique memorabilia that are highlighted by your guide. Reddit

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