Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

About the museum

The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum opened in June 1982 on the former site of RAF Tangmere in West Sussex. It is run as a registered charity, and it tells the story of military flying with the help of aircraft, cockpits, engines and other objects.

The aircraft are shown in hangars and halls, including the Battle of Britain Hall and the Merston Hall, with a number of larger exhibits displayed in the grounds. The collection covers aircraft from the early years of military flying through the Second World War to the jet age, and includes types such as the Hawker Hunter, the English Electric Lightning, the Supermarine Swift, the Sea Vixen, the Harrier and the Phantom, as well as a Westland Wessex helicopter. A series of cockpit sections lets visitors see the controls of aircraft such as the Canberra, the Provost and the Chipmunk.

The museum recalls the achievements of the pilot Neville Duke, who broke the airspeed record in a Hawker Hunter in 1953, and one of its halls bears his name. Flight simulators, including a combat simulator built from a Link Trainer fuselage and a Lightning simulator built by volunteers, give visitors a chance to try flying for themselves. The museum also welcomes school groups with learning walks and themed visits.

Highlights

• Jet aircraft including the Lightning, Hunter, Harrier, Phantom and Sea Vixen
• Cockpit sections for Canberra, Provost, Chipmunk and other types
• Battle of Britain Hall and Neville Duke Hall
• Flight simulators, including a combat simulator and a Lightning simulator
• Museum grounds with larger aircraft and a Memorial Garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Aircraft halls and hangars – Military aircraft from the Second World War to the jet age, shown in the Battle of Britain Hall, Merston Hall, Tangmere Hall and the Middle Hall, with further exhibits in the grounds.
• Cockpits and flight simulators – Cockpit sections of aircraft such as the Canberra, Provost and Chipmunk, together with a combat simulator and a Lightning simulator.

Founded

1982

Admission & discounts

Prices are for single-day entry without a Gift Aid donation. With a 10 per cent Gift Aid donation the adult price is £16.50, concessions £14.50, children £8, a family of two adults and two children £41 and a family of one adult and two children £26.50. Tickets can be bought online by card. Annual passes are available through the Friends of the Museum page or from shop staff. Pupils on school visits are admitted free.

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 entrance, exhibition halls, hangars, cafeteria and Memorial Garden are all on one level, and the Neville Duke Hall has a ramp. There is a disabled toilet near the entrance with grab rails and an emergency alarm. Four blue badge spaces are on the left side of the flat asphalt car park, and a concrete path leads to the main entrance. Several adult wheelchairs can be used free of charge, but large mobility scooters cannot be accommodated because of narrow corridors. Seating is available throughout, and assistance dogs are welcome with water available on request. One of the two red flight simulators is wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children aged 5 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult and under 5s are free. Family tickets are available. The combat flight simulator is described as very popular with younger visitors. School groups can choose learning walks for all year groups or a themed visit for Years 5 and 6.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Cockpit Cafe, a gift shop and a library.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit