Shuttleworth Collection

About the museum

The Shuttleworth Collection grew from the private interests of Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth, who inherited the Old Warden Estate in 1932. He began collecting in 1928 with an 1898 Panhard et Levassor car and went on to acquire early aircraft, including a Blériot and a Deperdussin of the pre-war years, which he restored to fly from the estate's grass airfield. He was killed in a flying accident in 1940 while serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and in 1944 his mother set up a charitable trust in his memory to promote the teaching of aviation, agriculture and forestry.

The Shuttleworth family had made its money from Clayton and Shuttleworth, a Lincolnshire maker of steam engines and agricultural machinery, and the collection also holds vehicles, steam exhibits, carriages and bicycles from that heritage. Joseph Shuttleworth bought the estate in 1872 and had the mansion built by the architect Henry Clutton. The first public event took place in 1950, and the collection opened to visitors in 1963. Aircraft were added over the years, among them a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Sea Hurricane in 1961.

The nine-acre Swiss Garden next door dates from the 1820s, when Lord Ongley created it in the Swiss Picturesque style with an Indian Kiosk, a Swiss Cottage and a grotto and fernery. After a period of lease to Bedfordshire County Council it reopened to the public in 1981 and was restored with Heritage Lottery Fund help in 2012 to 2014. Today most of the aircraft are kept airworthy and many fly at the air shows held on selected days, while the vehicles and steam machines are run as well.

Highlights

• Airworthy aircraft from 1909 to 1950, including a 1909 Blériot
• Veteran cars, classic motorcycles, buses and carriages
• Six hangars with an engineering workshop where restoration can be seen
• Nine-acre Regency Swiss Garden with an Indian Kiosk and a grotto
• Air shows with flying displays on selected days
• Shuttleworth House, open on selected event days with guided tours

Permanent exhibitions

• The Collection hangars – Six hangars of airworthy aircraft from 1909 to 1950, veteran cars, motorcycles, buses, carriages and steam exhibits, with an engineering workshop.
• Swiss Garden – A nine-acre Regency garden in the Swiss Picturesque style with an Indian Kiosk, a Swiss Cottage, a grotto and fernery, and a woodland walk with sculptures.
• Shuttleworth House – A Victorian mansion with Edwardian interiors and family portraits, open on selected event days with volunteer-led tours; access is not included in daily admission.

Founded

1963

Admission & discounts

Daily admission can be used as often as wished within 30 days, but is not valid on air show or event days and does not include Shuttleworth House. Members of the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society, the Friends of the Swiss Garden and the Airfield Volunteer Fire Service enter free. RHS members have free entry to the Swiss Garden on Mondays and Thursdays, except on event days. Air show and event tickets are priced separately.

Accessibility

• 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 reached by a ramp or step-free entrance, the hangars have ramps throughout, and the Swiss Garden has accessible paths and seating. The Woodland Walk is generally accessible but has many level changes, so some areas may not suit wheelchairs or scooters. Eight marked disabled parking spaces are near the Hill Lane entrance, and further parking opposite hangars 3 to 6 is on gravel; air shows have dedicated blue badge parking. Accessible toilets are in the Visitor Centre, the Runway Café, midway through the hangars and in the Swiss Garden. Shuttleworth House has six entrance steps without handrails, with wheelchair access through Reception and internal lifts. A sensory map is published online, and service animals are welcome across the site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Children under 18 enter free. Seasonal children's trails run through the Collection and the Swiss Garden and can be downloaded in advance, and educational Discovery Zones are held at air shows. An interactive airfield defence gun can be operated by visitors aged 3 and over. Baby-changing facilities are in the Visitor Centre and the hangar toilets.

Getting there & parking

For daily admission use either the Hill Lane entrance (SG18 9EP) or the Alder Drive entrance (SG18 9DT); for air shows and events use the Alder Drive entrance. Shuttleworth House has its own entrance postcodes, SG18 9EA for Alder Drive and SG18 9EB for the Old Warden entrance. Footpaths and bridleways lead to the site from the surrounding countryside, and pilots must request prior permission to land on the grass runway.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The Runway Café is free to enter for all visitors and serves freshly cooked locally sourced food, with a shorter menu at weekends. A gift shop in the Visitor Centre sells clothing, toys, books and model kits. Picnics are allowed, but barbecues are not. Complimentary Wi-Fi is mentioned for the Discovery Workshop and the Garden Room, the learning spaces used by school and youth groups; no general visitor Wi-Fi is mentioned. Cashless payment is preferred.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Shuttleworth House, a Victorian mansion, is let for weddings with five licensed rooms for civil ceremonies, and for private and corporate events. The Swiss Garden can also be used for ceremonies, and the learning spaces can be hired for educational purposes.

Plan your visit