The Helicopter Museum

About the museum

The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare is a registered charity that looks after one of the largest collections of helicopters and other rotary-wing aircraft in the world. It stands on a former airfield site where flying has taken place for more than ninety years, and visitors can still see helicopters land on the museum's own helipad.

The local connection is a strong theme. Bristol Sycamore and Belvedere helicopters were built at the nearby Oldmixon factory, and examples of both are displayed in the Weston Aviation Heritage Hangar. The same hangar houses G-LYNX, a Westland Lynx that set the helicopter world speed record of 400 km/h over the Somerset Levels in 1986. Elsewhere the collection ranges from helicopters flown by the Queen's Royal Flight to a Vietnam War Huey and a Russian Hind gunship, spread across four main buildings on one level.

The Weston Aviation Exhibition, in the restored wartime pilots' block, tells the wider story of flying at Weston: early displays from the seafront sands, the busy 1930s airport, Beaufighter production in the Second World War, the secret torpedo development unit, RAF Locking and the helicopter makers Bristol and Westland. Interactive features include a view of the former control tower, live air traffic radio, a Morse code station and a flight simulator. A Bloodhound missile stands guard outside.

Volunteers restore aircraft on site, such as the H-21 known as the Flying Banana and the Fairey Ultra Light, and they also catalogue an archive of rotorcraft manuals, drawings and photographs.

Highlights

• More than 80 helicopters under cover, from Cold War gunships to royal flight aircraft
• G-LYNX, holder of the helicopter world speed record
• Bristol Sycamore and Belvedere built at Weston
• Open cockpit days where visitors can climb into selected helicopters
• Weston Aviation Exhibition in the restored pilots' block

Permanent exhibitions

• Helicopter collection – More than 80 helicopters and other rotary-wing aircraft from around the world, shown in four main buildings on one floor.
• Weston Aviation Heritage Hangar – Sycamore and Belvedere helicopters built at Weston and the record-holding G-LYNX, together with a model of the 1930s airport.
• Weston Aviation Exhibition – The history of flying at Weston-super-Mare in the restored pilots' block, with a control tower camera, Morse code and a flight simulator.

Founded

1989

Operated by

The Helicopter Museum (registered charity no. 281053)

Admission & discounts

Tickets can be made valid for 12 months, including entry to most extra museum events, by completing a Gift Aid annual membership form; the ticket is stamped at purchase at no extra cost. Stamped tickets cannot be reissued.

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 museum is wheelchair accessible throughout, with ramps where needed, and a wheelchair can be borrowed at the entrance desk. Registered disabled visitors have reserved parking by the entrance with ramp access. Toilets are easy to reach, have an emergency pull cord and include baby changing. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed inside the museum and café; proof of status is needed if the dog is not wearing its harness or jacket.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Open cockpit days let visitors climb into selected helicopters while a guide explains the controls, and there are family events such as Heli-Kids days and a Halloween day. There is a children's play area by the picnic benches, and the café has a children's menu. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about five minutes by car from Junction 21 of the M5: follow the A370 towards Weston-super-Mare, then the signs for the A371 and the museum. A cycle path passes the entrance, and visiting helicopters can land on the museum's helipad.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Belvedere Café with indoor seating and an outdoor terrace, open during museum hours; food bought elsewhere cannot be eaten inside. HeliWorld gift shop with books, models, prints, clothing and toys. A picnic area with benches is by the Weston Aviation Exhibition.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit