Newark Air Museum

What it’s like

76 real aircraft to walk round and sometimes climb into, on the old Winthorpe airfield outside Newark.

The main thing here is scale. 76 aircraft dotted across the site, plus open cockpits to peer into and an exhibition hall full of aviation bits and pieces. On certain days volunteers open up some of the bigger aircraft so you can actually get aboard, though that's a small extra fee and the volunteers only take cash, so bring some coins and notes rather than relying on a card.

It suits kids from about 5 up, old enough to walk the site and get something out of the exhibits rather than just running between planes. Budget at least three hours if you want a guided cockpit session, a snack and a look round the shop, and don't be surprised if you end up staying longer, plenty of people make a full day of it.

Food-wise there's a café doing sandwiches, toasties and hot drinks made fresh, though it's only open to paying visitors and closes half an hour before the museum does, so don't leave it too late in the day. Parking is free and there are Blue Badge bays right by the entrance. Dogs are welcome in most of the buildings, though the café can say no if it's busy with other dogs.

One thing worth flagging: the postcode on your sat nav covers a wide area, so it's better to follow the brown and white museum signs once you're close. And leave the drone at home, they're banned across the whole site along with kites and remote control models.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

5 and up, old enough to get stuck into the exhibits

Last entry

3pm (1 Nov-28 Feb), 4pm (1 Mar-31 Oct), 60 minutes before closing

Booking

No pre-booking required, but walk-in admission available

Parking

FREE on site car parking, adjacent to museum on eastern side of approach road

How long to allow

If guided tour, aircraft access, snacks and shop visit: at least 3 hours

Food

Café serves snacks, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and toasties, prepared fresh to order, reasonably priced

Dogs

Allowed in various buildings around site

Getting there by bus or train

South Newark Notts Bus on Demand goes to neighbouring Newark Showground, short walk along Drove Lane

• Cockpit access is cash only, no cards taken by the volunteers
• The sat nav postcode covers a wide area, follow the brown museum signs instead once you're near
• Last admission to the museum is an hour before closing, and the shop closes with it
• Photos for personal use and social media are fine, but commercial use like YouTube or books needs permission first

Plan your visit

Areas to explore

• 619 Squadron

  Display area dedicated to 619 Squadron.

• Display Hangar 1

  indoors

  Houses 33 aircraft, helicopters and cockpit sections from the early 1900s through to the 1950s, including Lancaster Corner.

• Display Hangar 2

  indoors

  Houses 20 aircraft mainly from the 1950s through to the 2000s, including Navigation and Training timeline displays.

• Engine Display Hall

  indoors

  Displays multiple aero engines.

• Lancaster Corner

  A dedicated display area within Hangar 1.

• Memorial Garden

• RAF Regiment

  Display area covering the RAF Regiment.

• Small Object Display Hall

  indoors

  Displays aviation artefacts and avionics.

• Victory Garden

  Includes an Anderson Shelter, developed for WWII/Evacuation education topics.

• World War II era Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Post

Also on site

• Dambusters Hut

  Used as a stimulating environment for facilitated education sessions.

Experiences

• Open Cockpits

  Cockpit sections open for visitors to view or explore.

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