Bournemouth Aviation Museum

A hands-on aviation museum where children can climb into real aircraft cockpits, handle the controls and let their imaginations take off.
4.6/5
KIDSPEAK SCORE

4.6

/5

One of those rare museums where children are encouraged to climb in and touch things.

QUICK FACTS

Price

£10.00

Rating

4.6/5

Verdict

Excellent

Attraction

Hurn, Dorset

Type

Aviation museum

Review Time

1 min

A gem of a museum opposite Bournemouth Airport, the Bournemouth Aviation Museum is a place you’ve probably driven past and always wondered about, so we decided to pay a visit and see if it was worth the stop, and it really is!

If you have a young person who is interested in planes this would be their dream come true. A chance to climb inside the cockpit and handle the controls of many different types of aircraft from helicopters and commercial jets to the Vulcan bomber!

There are about 20 planes to experience as well as a fire engine and a double decker bus. There is a viewing gallery to watch the planes arrive and depart from the airport across the road and simulators to enjoy.

The staff are all volunteers who have a genuine love and passion for all things aviation and are happy and eager to help and tell you stories of the plane’s histories and the engineering behind them.

We were a little worried about it being an open-air museum as the English weather is at best unpredictable, but when a downpour hit, we hid inside the bigger planes which just happened to have air hostess uniforms and trolleys ready for some fun role-playing games. Which was easily the highlight for our two reviewers who couldn’t decide which was more fun, being pilot and co-pilot in the driving seats or being flight attendants with all their imaginary difficult customers!

There is plenty here to keep everyone happy for hours and if you are interested, so much history to learn about.

For more information about the cheap ticket prices and opening hours, please visit the website here…

http://aviation-museum.co.uk/

Tell us more...

Aircraft cockpits to climb inside

Helicopters and historic aircraft

Flight simulators

Airport viewing area

Fire engine and double-decker bus

WHY WE LIKE IT

Hands On

Children can sit in cockpits and handle controls instead of viewing everything from behind barriers.

Imaginative Play

The aircraft create endless opportunities for pilot, co-pilot and cabin-crew role play.

Enthusiastic Volunteers

Knowledgeable volunteers bring the aircraft and their histories to life.

Great Value

The low admission price and free parking make it an easy family outing to repeat.

THINGS TO KNOW

It is open daily, with shorter winter hours

Free parking is available for visitors

Severe weather can occasionally force the museum to close

KIDS VERDICT

92.0%

would recommend

4.6/5

average rating

Sitting in the cockpits

favourite thing to do

PARENT TIP

Wear weather-appropriate clothes because much of the museum is outdoors, although the larger aircraft give some shelter.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bournemouth Aviation Museum is an open-air, hands-on museum beside Bournemouth Airport.

KIDS SAY...

I got to sit in the pilot’s seat and touch the controls — that was the best bit!
~ Jack, 9

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