De Havilland Aircraft Museum

Over het museum

The museum is on the grounds of Salisbury Hall near London Colney, where the de Havilland design team moved in October 1939 to develop the Mosquito in secret. The prototype was built by hand in a hangar by the moat. After the company left the Hall in 1947 it fell into disrepair, and in the 1950s a group raised funds to house the Mosquito prototype, which was about to be scrapped, in a hangar behind the Hall.

The museum opened to the public on 15 May 1959 and is described as the first aviation museum in Britain. It was first called the Mosquito Aircraft Museum, and in 1977 a charitable trust was formed to run it as the de Havilland Aircraft Museum. The collection grew from the 1960s onwards with aircraft such as the Venom, the Vampire and Mosquito B.35 TA634.

Today three hangars and an outdoor area hold the only three Mosquitos on public display in the UK, the Comet 1 jet airliner fuselage, jet fighters such as the Sea Vixen, airliners and light aircraft from the Moth era, aero engines and a Link flight simulator. Volunteers restore the aircraft on site, and a newer hangar with a mezzanine was added to house more of the collection. Salisbury Hall itself is no longer open to the public.

Hoogtepunten

• Three Mosquito aircraft, including the original prototype
• Walk-through fuselage of a Comet 1 jet airliner
• Engine collection from early piston engines to jets and rockets
• Mosquito cockpit simulator experience
• Jet aircraft such as the Sea Vixen, Venom and Vampire
• Restoration work carried out by volunteers on site

Vaste collectie

• Mosquito hangar – The main hangar shows three de Havilland Mosquitos, including the original prototype, and is the only place in the UK where three can be seen together.
• Comet 1 jet airliner – Visitors can walk through the fuselage of an early Comet, the world's first jet airliner, and learn about its history.
• Aircraft engines – A display of de Havilland engines tracing the move from early piston engines to jets and rockets.

Opgericht

1959

Beheerder

de Havilland Aircraft Museum Trust (registered charity)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The prices shown are the standard prices without Gift Aid. Tickets with Gift Aid cost 14 pounds for adults, 12 pounds for concessions, 8 pounds for children and 35 pounds for a family, and include a donation that lets the museum reclaim tax on the whole ticket price.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

There is wheelchair access to all the main display buildings, and an accessible toilet. The aircraft that can be entered are reached only by stairs. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the museum.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

There is an outdoor play area, weather permitting. School holiday craft tables and quizzes are run on some dates, and the museum has hands-on and educational experiences for all ages. Youth groups can book tours, and the museum has a learning and schools contact.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum is just inside the M25 and reached via the B556 towards South Mimms; the website gives separate routes for cars and coaches. Coaches are by arrangement only.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Restaurant: niet aanwezig
• Museumwinkel

The Comet Cafe serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and hot snacks. The museum shop sells de Havilland branded goods, clothing and books.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen

Tot 100 personen.

The main hangar with three Mosquitos can host dinners and receptions for up to 100 guests, and a mezzanine in the new hangar has meeting rooms and an event space. The museum is also hired for filming and photography. At present it cannot take new event bookings.

Je bezoek plannen