Museum of Berkshire Aviation
A volunteer-run museum at the former Woodley airfield showing aircraft and records of Miles Aircraft and other Berkshire aviation makers.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum of Berkshire Aviation was founded in 1993 and stands on the edge of the former Woodley Aerodrome, near Reading. Woodley opened as Reading Aerodrome at Easter 1929 and grew into an important centre for light aircraft. Its best-known maker was Miles Aircraft, which built the Magister trainer, the Monarch and the wartime Master and Martinet, and which stopped production of all Miles aircraft in 1948.
The museum tells the story of Miles and of the other aircraft makers in the area, including Handley Page (Reading) and Fairey Aviation. Its collection includes aircraft, engines and models, together with drawings, photographs, film and research on Miles designs from the early Satyr to the M.65 Gemini. The website also keeps a register of surviving Miles aircraft around the world.
The museum is run by volunteers and members. Aircraft on show include a Fairey Gannet, the Fairey Jet Gyrodyne, a Handley Page Herald, a Miles Martinet and a Miles Student, said to be the only side-by-side two-seat jet trainer of that type ever built. The museum also takes school and group visits outside normal opening hours.
Highlights
- Fairey Gannet and Fairey Jet Gyrodyne
- Handley Page Herald airliner
- Miles Martinet, Magister and other Miles aircraft
- The Miles Student jet trainer
- Archive on Miles Aircraft designs and surviving aircraft
Permanent exhibition
- Miles Aircraft and Berkshire aviation – Aircraft, models and archive material on Miles Aircraft and other Berkshire aircraft makers, from early Miles designs to jets and helicopters.
- Founded
- 1993
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £5 |
| Groups | £5 per personPrice per person for group visits. |
| Families | £16For 2 adults and up to 2 children. |
The museum accepts cash and debit or credit cards.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 of the museum is accessible. Wheelchairs can be used around the museum and are available from the pay desk. Guide dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | £16 · For 2 adults and up to 2 children. |
|---|
There is a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 2 children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Woodley Airfield (bus 13)
Take a train to Reading station, then Reading Buses route 13 to Woodley Airfield.
By car
Free parking
The car park is owned and run by Wokingham Borough Council. For free parking, take a "15 minutes free" ticket at the machine, ask at the museum front desk for the parking validation code, enter it at the machine and display the free ticket in the car.
The museum is off the Woodley junction of the A329(M), on Mohawk Way off The Bader Way.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has a shop, and its website lists refreshments among the facilities.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum offers an educational programme for schools that is linked to the National Curriculum and shows how aviation techniques developed. Schools and other groups can visit outside normal opening hours by telephoning 0118 944 8089. |
