Royal Air Force Museum London
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free entry to over 100 real aircraft, plus a Spitfire cockpit to sit in and an outdoor playground shaped like mini planes.
Getting in costs nothing, which is the first thing worth knowing here. Once you're through the doors your kids can wander among more than a hundred aircraft, climb into a replica Spitfire cockpit, and walk right underneath the bomb bay of a Lincoln Bomber, which is the sort of detail that sticks in a seven-year-old's head for weeks. There are interactive trails through the hangars if you want some structure to the visit rather than just letting them loose.
The outdoor playground is aviation-themed with mini aircraft models to climb over, and it's a decent spot to let the museum-legs wear off before you head back in for more hangars. If you fancy paying extra, the guided tours are £12 each and cover things like the Battle of Britain or the Cold War, and there's a proper splurge option too: the Battle of Britain Cockpit Experience is £32, which is a lot for one go in a seat but it's the kind of thing that ends up being the story they tell at school. The 4D Theatre is shut for refurbishment until the end of 2026, so don't build a visit around it.
Food-wise there are two cafés, Hendon Kitchen for a proper lunch and AeroPlay! for a coffee and a snack, and you're allowed to bring your own picnic and eat it in Hangar 4 if you'd rather save the money. Parking isn't free though, and at £8.50 for up to three hours it stings a bit for what's meant to be a free day out. It fills up fast in school holidays, so getting there for opening is the safer bet if you're driving.
Step-free access runs right through the museum with lifts to upper levels, and there are manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters free to borrow if you need one. Under-11s need an adult with them, which is standard enough but worth knowing if you were planning to send an older sibling off with younger ones.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 4 and up, with the cockpit and playground for younger ones
- Last entry
- 4:30pm
- Parking
- £8.50 for up to 3 hours, £11 for 3-6 hours, £8.50 motorcycles all day, coaches free if booked ahead
- Food
- Two family-friendly cafés: Hendon Kitchen (counter service, hot breakfasts and canteen-style lunch) and AeroPlay! Café (cappuccino
- Picnics
- Packed lunches welcome, indoor picnic seating area in Hangar 4
- Pushchairs
- Pushchair-friendly with wide aisles and step-free access throughout
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters and rollators available free, step-free access, lifts to upper levels
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome. No other dogs or animals allowed on site
- Getting there by bus or train
- Colindale Underground Station 7 mins away (303 bus to museum entrance), Mill Hill Broadway rail station 20 mins walk
- Cars can't park onsite before 10am unless part of a pre-booked group
- There's no shade in the car park, so don't leave pets in a hot car
- Free SEND sensory backpacks are available if that helps your visit
- Picnics are fine and there's seating for them in Hangar 4
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Getting into the museum is free. Tours are £12 each and the Battle of Britain Cockpit Experience is £32 if you want the extras.
Do we need to book?
No, you can turn up on the day. There is a booking option online if you'd rather sort it in advance.
What age is it good for?
It suits kids from about 4 upwards, especially with the cockpit and the outdoor playground to break things up.
Can children go round on their own?
Under-11s need an adult aged 16 or over with them. Kids 11 and up can visit unaccompanied if they can give staff an emergency contact number.
Is the 4D Theatre open?
It's closed for refurbishment until 31 December 2026, so leave that off the list for now.
What are the opening hours?
The museum opens daily 10am to 5pm, though Hangars 2 to 6 close at 4.30pm with last entry at 4pm on weekends.
Is there parking?
£8.50 for up to three hours or £11 for three to six hours. It fills up quickly during school holidays so aim for an early arrival.
What food is available?
Hendon Kitchen does hot breakfasts and canteen-style lunches, and AeroPlay! Café has coffee and light snacks. Packed lunches are welcome too, with seating in Hangar 4.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
Step-free access runs throughout with lifts to upper levels, and manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters are free to borrow. Pushchairs move around easily with wide aisles.
Are dogs allowed?
Assistance dogs are welcome, but no other animals or pets can come inside.
How do we get there by public transport?
Colindale Underground Station is about 7 minutes away with a 303 bus to the entrance, or it's a 20 minute walk from Mill Hill Broadway rail station.
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