Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre

About the museum

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) was formed in 1957 as the Historic Aircraft Flight and was renamed in 1973. It has been based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire since March 1976. Its aircraft take part in flypasts and displays across the country.

The visitor centre opened on 30 June 1987 and gives the public access to the home of the flight. It is run in partnership with the Royal Air Force by Lincolnshire County Council and stands on Dogdyke Road inside RAF Coningsby.

Access to the hangar is by guided tour only. Guides, many of whom have first-hand experience of the aircraft, take visitors close to the Lancaster, the Dakota, the Spitfires and the Hurricanes, and visitors can watch RAF technicians maintaining them when the aircraft are not flying. Because of operational commitments the BBMF cannot guarantee that any particular aircraft will be on show, so visitors are advised to call ahead. The centre also has a tea bar and a shop.

Highlights

• Guided hangar tours of the BBMF aircraft
• Avro Lancaster, Douglas Dakota, Spitfires and Hurricanes
• Spitfire P7350, described as the oldest airworthy Spitfire in the world
• Chance to watch RAF technicians maintaining the aircraft
• Tea bar and shop

Permanent exhibition

• BBMF hangar tour – Guided tour of the hangar of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with the Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfires and Hurricanes when they are at base.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Lincolnshire County Council, in partnership with the Royal Air Force

Admission & discounts

Admission includes the guided hangar tour. Members of the BBMF club and the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association are admitted free, and serving forces and veterans receive a 10% discount. Reduced summer prices apply from 25 June to 1 September 2026 (amounts not published).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The visitor centre is fully accessible. The hangar is accessible to manual wheelchairs only. Only registered assistance dogs are allowed, and oxygen cylinders are not permitted. Accessible parking is available; the main road must be crossed to reach the visitor centre. Toilets include accessible facilities.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Family tickets are available. Toilets include baby-changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

The visitor centre is on Dogdyke Road, Coningsby, within RAF Coningsby.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Tea Bar serves teas, coffees and cakes (April to October 10:00 to 16:00, November to March 10:00 to 15:00). The shop sells gifts, prints, books, model aircraft and clothing; there is no online shop. There is no picnic area, but there is seating outside the front of the centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit