Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

About the museum

The Boscombe Down Aviation Collection is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers. It preserves aircraft, cockpits and aviation artefacts linked to British flight testing and military aviation. Despite its name, the museum is not on the MOD Boscombe Down airfield; it is housed in hangars at Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury.

Boscombe Down has played a major part in the independent testing of aircraft, weapons and systems for the UK armed forces. Until the early 1990s this work was done mainly by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, which assessed manufacturers' claims and advised on operational use. Many aircraft in the collection are tied to that history.

Old Sarum, just north of Salisbury, is one of the oldest airfields in the UK and is still active, so visitors see a working historic airfield. The museum stresses hands-on learning: selected cockpits are open to sit in, restoration takes place on site and some volunteer guides are former pilots, test pilots, navigators and engineers who also operate the simulators.

Highlights

• Real cockpits of fast jets such as the Lightning, Jaguar, Harrier, Tornado and Hawk
• Flight simulators, including a wide-body simulator and an early 1950s Link Trainer
• Royal Flying Corps and First World War aviation collection
• Royal Observer Corps display, engines, ejection seats and drones
• Restoration work in progress on site

Permanent exhibitions

• Fast jets collection – Cold War and later jet aircraft and cockpits, many used for testing, development and training at Boscombe Down.
• Royal Flying Corps collection – Original uniforms, medals and equipment telling the story of the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War.
• Cockpits and simulators – Historic cockpits that visitors can climb into, plus four flight simulators.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Prices are standard admission without Gift Aid. With Gift Aid the prices are adult £14.90, concession £13.80, child £7.20 and family £34.70. Annual tickets are available from the shop. Group discounts may be available for larger groups booked in advance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Level access to the collection is provided on request through the hangar doors, and the floors are mostly level. Disabled toilet facilities are currently unavailable, cockpit access may be limited by the structure of the aircraft, and some walkways are narrow or uneven. Some exhibits have audio descriptions that can be used on a smartphone or tablet. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum describes itself as family-friendly and invites children to sit in selected cockpits. Children must be supervised at all times, especially around the aircraft.

Getting there & parking

The museum is just off the A345, 5 miles south of Amesbury and 2 miles north of Salisbury, at Old Sarum Airfield, not at the MOD Boscombe Down site. Enter through the main museum entrance on the airfield side of the hangars, opposite the control tower. The what3words location is ///footballers.inclines.additives.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small shop sells souvenirs, gifts and aviation memorabilia. There is no indoor picnic area, but visitors may picnic on the grass outside; a mini-supermarket is nearby and cafés are available on the airfield. Limited refreshments may be available depending on volunteers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

A large, fully equipped conference and meeting room seats up to 100 people and is offered for conferences, training courses, birthday parties and weddings.

Plan your visit