Aerospace Bristol
BEST FOR
Ages 0-17
ENTRY
from £12
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Climb aboard Concorde and clamber through four hangars of real aircraft, with a flight simulator to save for last.
The big one here is Concorde itself. You walk on board and have a proper look round, and it's included in the ticket price rather than some extra add-on, which is more than you can say for a lot of places. Beyond that there are four hangars to get through, with hands-on exhibits, a couple of children's trails to keep younger ones pointed in the right direction, and the Bristol Bolingbroke and Bristol Freighter aircraft to explore up close.
The Red Arrows flight simulator is the bit an older kid will remember on the way home. It's for four and up, but there's a minimum height of 107cm and a maximum weight of 110kg, so a small four-year-old might not get on, worth bearing in mind if that's the one they've been promised. There's an outdoor play area too if anyone needs a break from looking at planes.
Tickets aren't cheap. It's £20 for an adult and £13.50 for a child if you book online, jumping to £22 and £15 if you just turn up, and a family of four comes to £60 online or £67 on the day. The saving grace is that your ticket then works as a free return visit for a full year, so if three or four hours in one go feels like a lot for a toddler, you can split it across two trips without paying twice.
Parking is free, which helps soften the entry price, and there's step-free access to the galleries with lifts for the Britannia and Concorde sections, though Concorde's own aisle is a squeeze at 40cm wide. The café, Flightline Kitchen+Bar, runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm with a children's menu, and you don't need a museum ticket just to sit in there for a coffee.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 4 to 17, with the simulator giving older kids something to aim for
- Booking
- Book online to save up to 10%. Walk-ups accepted
- Parking
- Free on-site parking for up to 250 cars and 6 coaches
- How long to allow
- 3-4 hours recommended
- Food
- On-site café Flightline Kitchen+Bar with freshly made light meals, snacks, drinks, children's menu
- Pushchairs
- Pushchair-friendly with accessible café and children's meals available
- Wheelchairs
- Level access to all galleries, wheelchair lifts in both hangars, two lifts for Britannia and Concorde access
- Dogs
- Guide and assistance dogs welcome
- Worth knowing
- Tickets include unlimited free return visits for 12 months from date first used
- Your ticket doubles as a free return visit for a year, handy if a toddler can't manage the full 3 to 4 hours in one go
- The flight simulator has a height and weight limit, so check before you build it up to the kids
- Concorde's own aisle is a tight 40cm, worth knowing if you're navigating a wheelchair
- Two free wheelchairs are available to borrow but it's best to book them ahead
- Card only at the admissions desk, shop and café, apart from Amex and Diners
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£20 for an adult and £13.50 for a child online, or £22 and £15 if you buy at admissions. A family of four is £60 online, £67 on the day.
Do we need to book ahead?
No, you can turn up and buy on the day, though booking online saves a bit of money.
How long does a visit take?
They reckon 3 to 4 hours to get round the four hangars properly and fit in lunch or a coffee.
Is Concorde included in the ticket?
Going on board Concorde is part of your general admission, no extra charge.
Can my child use the flight simulator?
It's open from age 4, but there's a minimum height of 107cm and a maximum weight of 110kg, so check that before you promise it.
Is there parking on site?
Free parking for up to 250 cars and 6 coaches, with 10 disabled bays near the entrance.
What food is available?
Flightline Kitchen+Bar is open 9:30am to 4:30pm with light meals, snacks and a children's menu. You can pop in for a coffee without paying museum entry.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
Level access to the galleries with lifts for the Britannia and Concorde areas, plus two free wheelchairs to borrow if you book ahead. Concorde's aisle is only 40cm wide, so that bit is tight, and the air raid shelter isn't accessible.
Does my ticket let us come back another day?
General admission tickets give you a free return visit for 12 months from when you first use them, no need to rebook.
Can we bring dogs?
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome, but it's not a general dogs-out venue.
What are the opening hours?
Open daily from 10am to 4:30pm, with the café opening earlier at 9:30am.
Can we pay by card?
Card is accepted everywhere on site apart from American Express and Diners, and there's no minimum spend.
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