RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre

About the museum

The Hornchurch Aerodrome Historical Trust was founded in November 2016 by local people, taking up the work of the former RAF Hornchurch Association begun by Ted Exall. Its aim is to keep the memory of the airfield alive, and its members also tend the graves of three Battle of Britain pilots in Hornchurch cemetery.

The heritage centre occupies Suttons House, originally two staff cottages for the Suttons Institute, which opened in September 1938. The RAF used the houses from 1939 to 1946, after which they became part of the St George's Hospital site and were used by the NHS until around 2013. Bellway Homes gave the buildings to the trust, and they opened as the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre in 2019. The Ted Exall Education Suite followed in September 2021.

Themed rooms lead visitors through the airfield's story, from Suttons Farm and the First World War to the Second World War, the American units that flew with the airfield's Spitfires, and the years after the war up to 1962. A tea room and courtyard garden are open on weekends.

Highlights

• Battle of Britain room
• Local Heroes and WAAFs room
• USAAF room, including the 1943 mid-air collision of two B-17s over West Horndon
• Home Front, Officers Mess and Suttons Farm / First World War rooms
• Post-war room covering 1946 to 1962 and a Room of Remembrance
• Tea room with courtyard garden

Permanent exhibition

• Themed rooms of the heritage centre – Rooms on the Battle of Britain, local heroes and WAAFs, the Home Front, the Officers Mess, Suttons Farm and the First World War, the USAAF, the war years and the post-war period.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Hornchurch Aerodrome Historical Trust

Admission & discounts

Adults are 16 and over. The prices shown are without a donation; a version with a 10% voluntary donation (Gift Aid) is £6.60 for adults, £3.30 for children and £16.50 for families. Members of the trust are admitted free. Tickets are bought at the door and advance booking is not required.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre describes itself as accessible on its lower levels.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A family ticket covers two adults and three children. The website has downloadable activities, quizzes and a make-your-own paper plane sheet, and the centre runs an education programme for schools and uniformed groups.

Getting there & parking

By car, the centre is about 15 minutes from junction 29 of the M25 and is reached from the A127, A12 and A13.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Tea Room is open every weekend from 11:00 to 16:00 and serves tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, pastries and sandwiches, with a courtyard garden in fine weather. There is a gift shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Venue hire enquiries are handled through the contact form.

Plan your visit