Biggin Hill Memorial Museum
Museum on the former RAF Biggin Hill fighter station, telling the station’s story next to St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum tells the story of Biggin Hill, Britain's most famous fighter station, through the experiences of the people who served there and the surrounding community. It stands beside St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance, which was built in 1951 to commemorate those who served and died at Biggin Hill in the Second World War.
The Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust worked with Bromley Council from 2015 and raised more than £5.3 million for the project, with funding from the National Lottery, HM Treasury and Bromley Council as well as individual donors and smaller organisations. Building work to combine the chapel with a new museum began in October 2017, and the museum opened to the public in January 2019.
The museum is a registered charity run by a board of volunteer trustees. A second phase planned a learning space overlooking the courtyard garden and chapel, and a memorial wall around the Garden of Remembrance for people who died at Biggin Hill in the two world wars. Visitors can also use the Nightingale Café, which looks out over the airfield.
Key themes
- Story of Britain’s most famous fighter station
- St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance beside the museum
- Garden of Remembrance
- Nightingale Café overlooking the airfield
- Lectures and talks on aviation history
- Founded
- 2019
- Operated by
- Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust
- Director
- Samantha Bailey-Buck
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £8Concession for visitors aged 60 and over |
| Children & teens | £4.50free up to age 4 |
| Seniors | £8Aged 60 and over |
| Groups (8+ people) | £7 per personGroups of 8 or more booking in advance: volunteer-led guided tour £10 per person, self-guided visit £7 per person; educational groups pay £3.75 per child and adults go free. |
| Families | –Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children. |
| Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children), including optional Gift Aid donation | £21 |
Prices shown are without the optional Gift Aid donation; with it the adult ticket is £9.35 and the child ticket £4.60. Under 5s are free. A 10% discount applies for the Defence Discount Service, Blue Light Card and serving military personnel, and for residents of TN16 with proof of address. Booking in advance is not required; tickets are bought at the door. Membership and gift vouchers are available.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A regional tourism listing describes all areas as accessible, with ramp or level access, facilities for visitors with hearing or visual impairments and guide dogs permitted. Two Blue Badge bays are available in the car park and one wheelchair can be borrowed. Seating is provided in the museum and the chapel. Dogs are otherwise welcome only on the outside patio. The museum phone number can be used for accessibility enquiries.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
Child and family tickets are available; under 5s enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Saltbox Hill bus stop
Bus stop Saltbox Hill is served by routes 246, 320, 464, 664, 684 and R2. From Bromley South station take bus 320 or 246; from Orpington station take bus R2.
By car
Parking available
On-site car park with Blue Badge bays.
- Accessible parking
Use postcode TN16 3EJ for satnav.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
The Nightingale Café has free entry and views over the airfield. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 14:00 in winter and 12:00 to 14:30 in summer, with drinks and cakes at other times; parties of more than six should pre-book.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The galleries, the chapel, the Nightingale Café, the reception area and the outdoor patio and lawns can host receptions, parties, conferences and meetings.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Volunteer-led guided tours or self-guided visits can be booked for groups of 8 or more. A school programme is offered; teachers can email to discuss their requirements. Outreach talks at other venues start from £60. |
