Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum

About the museum

The museum stands on the airfield at Manston in east Kent, one of the few surviving airfields that took part in the Battle of Britain. During the Second World War the station was only about ten minutes' flying time from occupied France.

The museum is a registered charity and is run with the help of volunteers. Its central exhibits are a Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI(LF) TB752, which saw combat in 1945, and a Hawker Hurricane IIc LF751. Around them are objects used by the men and women who served, together with accounts of their lives.

The site also includes the Allied Aircrew Memorial garden, where services are held, and visitors can try flight simulators that use genuine Spitfire controls. Entry to the museum is free and it depends on donations.

Key themes

• Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI TB752
• Hawker Hurricane IIc LF751
• Wartime objects and stories of those who served
• Spitfire flight simulator with genuine controls
• Allied Aircrew Memorial garden

Permanent exhibition

• Spitfire and Hurricane collection – The museum displays a Spitfire Mk XVI and a Hurricane IIc together with Second World War artefacts and the stories of the people who served at RAF Manston.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the museum relies on donations and offers Gift Aid on them. Simulator flights are booked online only, with limits of minimum height 152 cm, maximum weight 110 kg and maximum shoulder width 60 cm.

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 exhibition halls, conference room and café are on one level, with a level path from the car park and a low threshold at the main entrance. A free adult wheelchair can be borrowed, and visitors may bring their own wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There are two Blue Badge spaces in the car park, and disabled visitors can use the rear coach park in busy periods. The accessible toilet beside the café patio has a RADAR lock (keys from the shop or café), and baby changing is in the same area. The Memorial Garden can be reached by a ramp or paved slope. Assistance dogs are welcome. The flight simulators are not accessible to visitors who cannot climb into the cockpit.

Kids & families

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

Worksheets are available for school groups on request, and visitors can try the Spitfire simulator (height and weight limits apply). A baby changing facility is beside the café patio.

Getting there & parking

From the A299 follow signs to Manston/Airport, turn onto B2190 Spitfire Way and then Manston Road; brown tourist signs lead to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Spitfire Café is next to the museum (tel. +44 1843 661601). There is a museum shop, which also sells gift vouchers for the simulators.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

A conference room can be hired; contact the museum for details.

Plan your visit