FAST Museum
Volunteer-run aviation museum in a 1908 building at Farnborough, with Cody Flyer replica, jet engines, simulators and aircraft outside.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) was founded in 1993 as a charity to protect the aeronautical heritage of Farnborough, where the Royal Aircraft Establishment carried out research for decades. It is run by volunteers and funds itself, and it is an accredited museum.
The museum occupies a listed building from 1908 that was built as the headquarters of the Royal Engineers Balloon School. The first seven squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps, later the Royal Air Force, were formed here, and the site overlooks the runway of Farnborough Airfield.
The collection covers aircraft, equipment, machinery, photographs, films, reports and books. The FAST Archive holds roughly half a million items, so displays are rotated. Highlights include Frank Whittle's earliest jet engines, research models of Concorde and a full-size replica of Cody's 1908 aircraft, the Cody Flyer, which hangs in the Cody Pavilion. Visitors can try flight simulators and sit in some of the aircraft that stand outside.
Highlights
- Full-size replica of Samuel Cody's Cody Flyer of 1908 in the Cody Pavilion
- Frank Whittle's earliest jet engines
- Research models of Concorde and a Concorde simulator
- Aircraft outside, including a Harrier and a Hawker Hunter T7, some of which visitors can sit in
- Wind tunnel history of the Royal Aircraft Establishment
Permanent exhibitions
- Cody Pavilion – A full-size replica of Samuel Cody's 1908 Cody Flyer with an audio recording of the flight, plus a rocket part that has been in space and other technology exhibits.
- Aircraft on display – Historic aircraft stand in and around the museum, among them a Harrier, a Hawker Hunter T7 and an SE5 built at the Royal Aircraft Factory; some can be sat in.
- Founded
- 2009
- Operated by
- Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (5+ people) | £20 per personPre-booked adult group tour including tea or coffee and biscuits on arrival and an illustrated talk. |
|---|---|
| Pre-booked adult group guided tour (minimum 5 people) | £20Includes tea or coffee and biscuits on arrival and an illustrated talk |
Admission is free and donations are welcome. Special events and exhibitions may charge an entry fee.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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: no information
The museum states that it is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets, and volunteers are on hand to help. The ground-floor coffee lounge is fully accessible. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The museum welcomes children of all ages. Flight simulators and some aircraft that visitors can sit in make it a hands-on visit.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Farnborough Main station · 20-min walk
Farnborough Main station is on the London to Southampton line, about 37 minutes from central London; from there it is a five-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk. Stagecoach route 1 runs along the A325 between Camberley and Aldershot.
By car
Free parking
Free on-site parking with plenty of spaces.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
A ground-floor coffee lounge serves hot and cold drinks, cakes and biscuits during museum hours. There are picnic areas outside, weather permitting. The museum shop sells books, DVDs, models and souvenirs.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The Trenchard Room, a boardroom in Lord Trenchard's former office, can be hired for meetings, film shows and celebrations, and museum exhibition areas such as the Cody Pavilion can also be booked. Audio-visual equipment is available and external catering can be arranged.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Pre-booked guided tours for adult groups cost 20 pounds per person (minimum 5 people); other days and times may be possible by arrangement for an extra charge. Educational tours for school and youth groups are offered for all ages and are booked with a group booking form. Visitors can try flight simulators (Lightning, Harrier, Concorde and Cody Flyer). |
