Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial — Attraction in Elvington

This is a great Aviation Museum situated in Elvington near York with some lovely informative interesting exhibitions and aircraft to see. The size is fairly vast and there is plenty to see with exhibitions on Air Gunners, Airships and Bomber Command to see which are very interesting to read and full of intriguing facts. The Air Gunners exhibitions details information about people who fought has Air Gunners during the World Wars and also who the Air Gunners were and their uses in Battle. There are some examples of Gun Turrets to see on display, which are great to look at and give you an idea of their use and also there are some interesting accounts of Air Gunners and the uniform they wore to acclimatise to surviving in the air during battle. The Gas Bags exhibition is about the Zeppelin Airships and how they were used during World War One and their effects during battle and the Zeppelin exhibition is probably one of the most interesting and fascinating of all the exhibitions. The Bomber Command details an informative and interesting look at the Bomber Command's contribution during World War Two and the battles they were involved in during that period. The Pioneers of Aviation details the contribution of renowned people involved in Aviation such as Amy Johnson and Sir Barnes Neville Wallis amongst others, which is very interesting to read about. There are a small memorials to see such as The Women's Memorial, 77 Squadron Memorial and Memorial Garden and are great memorials to those who served during the War and are wonderfully displayed and presented. The French Officer's Mess displays a full room how officers stationed at RAF Elvington lived during the War giving you a clear idea of their daily lives and living conditions. There is a Station Chapel used for officers stationed at RAF Elvington for Religious prayer, service and reflection. There are a number of Aircraft to see such as The Gloster Meteor, Lockheed Silverstar, The Handley Page Victor, Fairey Gannet, Dassault Mirage IV, Blackburn Buccaneer and a Pana Bita Tornado all of which are brilliantly displayed and are in great condition. The standout area of the museum is The Canadian Memorial T2 Hangar where you can see the Brilliant Douglas Dakota and The Handley Page Halifax which are beautifully displayed and it's not until you right up close to them that you can get a full idea of the sheer scale of these amazing aircraft and how wonderfully imposing they are and the Handley Page Halifax in particular looks very similar to a Lancaster Bomber. In the Canadian T2 Hangar you can also see a Gyroplane, Gloster Meteor and a Wright Flyer and also some other Military Vehicles which are in magnificent condition. There is a cafe selling a wonderful range of food and drink at reasonable prices and there is a gift shop selling a lovely range of souvenirs at decent reasonable prices. Overall this is a great and pleasant place to visit, which makes for a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting day out. Well worth whilst in...

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Our visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum was an unexpected delight! We stumbled upon this hidden gem by chance and decided to explore, and what a decision it was! As a dedicated 1940s lifestyler, I was thrilled to find the museum perfectly presented, capturing the essence and charm of the era with remarkable attention to detail.

The museum is a treasure trove of aviation history, with an impressive collection of aircraft and exhibits that transport you back in time. The passionate staff and well-curated displays make it a haven for history buffs and casual visitors alike.

We were charmed by the wonderful vintage-style café, where we enjoyed delicious treats in an ambiance that whisked us back to the golden age of aviation. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the delightful décor added to the nostalgic experience.

One of the highlights was the cinema playing captivating reels about the infamous 'Friday the 13th' bomber, which they have on site. Watching these historical films added depth to our understanding and appreciation of the aircraft's storied past.

Our stroll through the memorial garden and visit to the beautiful church provided serene moments of reflection and a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.

For families, the museum is a haven of fun and learning. The kids' play park was filled with engaging activities, paired with a fun hidden letter game that that kept the little one entertained and happy throughout our visit. He was thrilled with his prizes and official stamp of approval!

To top it all off, the gift shop was a pleasant surprise. With its wide array of unique items and keepsakes, all at surprisingly reasonable prices, it was hard to resist taking a piece of the museum home with us.

Without question, I would visit the Yorkshire Air Museum again, many times over. It's a delightful experience that leaves you richer in knowledge and nostalgia, offering something special for everyone. Highly recommended for an enriching and...

I went there on my own, after having a little look online to see how suitable it was for a solo traveller. It's easy to reach if you're driving, with parking on site. From the get go you are greeted by vehicles outside the entrance (tank, APC, AA armour). The gift shop at the entrance is nice if you want to pick up a souvenir. Once through there are a host of wonderful aircraft, with facts, figures and their own personal history explained on accompanying plaques. The highlight of my visit (besides getting up close to my favourite aircraft the Harrier) was the Halifax "Friday the 13th". Stephen and Stephen (sorry I can't remember your last names!) were fantastic, explaining it's history and facts which were astonishing.

I could easily have spent 4-5 hours there, going through the various huts which each have a theme from WWII. Another highlight was the cinema room, where a combination of museum highlights and period recordings were played. It was a humbling experience to see and hear the air and ground crews talking about bombing runs, and see the aircraft limping home after a mission.

The control tower is currently in a state of disrepair and money is being raised to restore the building, which I hope is successful soon. The cafe was also undergoing some work and was closed, however there were snacks such as sandwiches and cakes and tea and coffee available in another building.

Cutting to the chase, would I recommend? Absolutely! To solo visitors, couples and families, it has loads to offer. There are children's play areas and activities for the kids. The history of the base is wonderful to learn, and the enthusiasm and clear love for the aircraft from the guides comes through. I would hope that this wonderful piece of our history is preserved for many...