National Cold War Exhibition
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Shifnal
What it’s like
Free entry to a huge aircraft hangar, then extras like the Spitfire cockpit or a 4D theatre ride you pay for on top.
Getting in doesn't cost you anything, which is the first thing worth knowing. Once you're through the doors you're looking at real Cold War era aircraft, walking under the bomb bay of a Lincoln Bomber and standing beneath the delta wing of a Vulcan bomber, which is the moment that tends to stick with kids. There's a Sunderland Flying Boat to explore too, and outside there's an aviation themed playground with a mock control tower and a mini hangar for climbing on.
The extras are where the money goes. A go in the 4D theatre is £5, the Spitfire cockpit experience is £5, and if you want one of the hour long guided tours (Bomber Command, Battle of Britain or the Cold War exhibition itself) that's £10 a head. None of it's compulsory, but if your kids want the Spitfire cockpit and the 4D film as well as a tour, it adds up fast on top of a "free" day out.
Give it three hours at least. One visitor said as much and reckoned they'd need to come back for a second go, which tells you this isn't a quick hour before lunch. There are two cafés on site: Airfield Kitchen does breakfast and hot lunches daily, while The Checkpoint (weekends and term time only) is more of a sandwiches and cakes stop. Parking is £7.50 for up to seven hours, and there's no shade for it on a hot day, so factor that in if you're coming in summer.
Access is genuinely good here, step free throughout with lifts to the upper levels and free loan of wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Just note that Hangar 1 is closed for redevelopment until summer 2027, so part of the collection isn't on show at the moment.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 4 and up; older kids get more from the tours and cockpit
- Last entry
- 4.30pm (March to October) or 3.30pm (November to February)
- Parking
- £7.50 per car up to 7 hours. Free for coaches
- How long to allow
- Three hours or more. One reviewer noted 'We really enjoyed our three hours there' and suggested needing another visit
- Food
- Two cafés: Airfield Kitchen open daily 10am-4:30pm (breakfast until noon, lunch 12-3pm with hot food, children's meals)
- Pushchairs
- Wide aisles enable pushchair access
- Wheelchairs
- Step-free access, manual wheelchairs and motor scooters available free on loan, lifts to upper levels, disabled parking near entrance
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only, not allowed inside buildings
- Getting there by bus or train
- Cosford Train Station, 10 minutes' walk away
- Cosford train station is a 10 minute walk but is unmanned with steps on both platforms, worth thinking about if access is a concern
- Family trails and scavenger hunts run during school holidays
- The museum closes on 23 September for a learning and education event
- Tickets are non-refundable unless the museum itself has to cancel or close
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Entry itself is free. The extras cost more: £5 for the 4D theatre or Spitfire cockpit experience, and £10 for an hour long guided tour.
Do we need to book?
Booking's required for the site, and the tours and experiences need booking too, especially if you've got your heart set on a specific one.
How long should we plan for?
Three hours or more. One family who went said they still felt they'd need a second visit to see everything.
What time do you need to arrive by?
Last entry is 4.30pm from March to October and 3.30pm from November to February.
Is it any good for a four-year-old?
The minimum age listed is 4, and the outdoor playground with the control tower and mini hangar will keep younger ones busy alongside the aircraft displays.
Can older kids come without a parent?
Children aged 11 and up can visit unaccompanied as long as they can hand over an emergency contact number if staff ask for one. Under 11s need someone aged 16 or over with them.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Airfield Kitchen runs daily with breakfast, then hot lunches from midday to 3pm. The Checkpoint does sandwiches and cakes but only at weekends and in term time.
What's parking like?
£7.50 covers up to seven hours, and coaches park free. There's no shaded parking, which matters more than you'd think on a warm day.
Is it wheelchair and buggy friendly?
Yes, it's step free throughout with lifts to upper levels, and there are manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters you can borrow free of charge.
Can we bring the dog?
Only assistance dogs, and they can't go inside the buildings either.
Is everything open at the moment?
Hangar 1 is shut for redevelopment until summer 2027, and some areas can close for maintenance or private events, so not everything is guaranteed to be on show.
Can you do group tours?
Groups of 8 or more can book the guided tours at £9 a head instead of £10, but they want at least two weeks' notice.
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