Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre

About the museum

RAF Metheringham was built in 1942 on farmland near the village of Martin and opened in 1943. In November 1943 it became the home of 106 Squadron, Bomber Command, which flew Lancasters from the station until the end of the war. In 1944 the airfield was equipped with a fog dispersal system that burned petrol along the runway, and about 2,500 people worked there at its peak. The squadron disbanded in 1945, the airfield closed in 1946 and the land returned to farming.

Several wartime buildings survive on the site. In the early 1990s the Friends of Metheringham Airfield took over the former station gymnasium, now Peter Scoley Hall, and restored it as a visitor centre. The museum is now run by volunteers as a registered charity with accredited museum status.

The displays are spread across the former ration store, the memorial room, the gymnasium and a modern hangar. They tell the story of the airfield, the men and women who served there and the crews of 106 Squadron, with a memorial garden and wartime shelters outside. The best-known exhibit is Douglas Dakota KG651, a restored transport aircraft that visitors can enter. A full-size replica of the forward part of a Lancaster is being completed as a flight simulator.

Highlights

• Restored Douglas Dakota KG651 that visitors can enter
• Wartime buildings of RAF Metheringham
• 106 Squadron and airfield history displays
• Memorial room, memorial garden and wartime shelters
• Lancaster simulator under construction
• Restored Link Trainer and quarter-scale Lancaster model

Permanent exhibitions

• Douglas Dakota KG651 – A restored Dakota transport aircraft in the hangar that visitors can enter, with a wartime jeep and other vehicles.
• RAF Metheringham and 106 Squadron – Display rooms on the airfield, its crews and wartime equipment, including a ditching display with a dinghy and Lancaster crew positions.
• Peter Scoley Hall collection – Large objects including a quarter-scale Lancaster model, a restored Link Trainer and a Lancaster wingtip.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre (registered charity 1194347)

Admission & discounts

The standard adult price is £8, or £8.80 with a Gift Aid donation. Admission includes the Dakota, the museum rooms and the memorial garden and is paid in the shop on arrival. Members enter free. The Lancaster simulator is an extra paid activity. Prices are reviewed each year.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Most buildings have level access, with low ramps into Peter Scoley Hall, the Memorial Room and the smaller display rooms. The Dakota hangar has a level path, but the aircraft is reached by steep steps and a steep slope inside, and the Stanton air raid shelter has steps down; videos of both interiors are shown in the shop. The accessible toilet has handrails and baby changing. Assistance dogs may enter all areas. There are no marked disabled parking bays, but staff help visitors to suitable spaces. Audible access is not yet available; QR codes are being prepared.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Children and family events are listed on the website under Kids Corner. Dogs on a short lead are welcome.

Getting there & parking

The centre is just off the B1189 near the village of Martin. The What3Words location is frames.backswing.birthdays.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Peter Scoley Hall houses the cafe, shop and reception. There is a picnic area and a garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 150 guests.

Peter Scoley Memorial Hall (the former gymnasium) is heated and seats up to 150. The 2026 rate is £50 per hour or £300 for a full day, on days when the centre is closed to the public. There is no drinks licence.

Plan your visit