Gatwick Aviation Museum — Attraction in Mole Valley

Fantastic Museum, volunteers and experience - Visited on Friday, 11th April 2025, on a day out with my great-nephew. Arrival was straightforward enough, and free car parking was ample, with the site entrance adjacent to the car park. Initially, we booked a ride on the Typhoon simulator, which is located in an area where there are interactive displays of aircraft and helicopter cock pits as well as a replica version of a Virgin business class in a commercial passenger aircraft. This area alone took up plenty of time before we moved on to a lovely set of static displays supported by well-informed volunteers who brought the life of the exhibited airframes and aviation parts to life. Once outside this area, we experienced the bonus of access to the end of the adjacent Gatwick Airport runway. After a couple of hours here, we returned to the Shackleton airframe outside and had the pleasure of a guided tour from an engineer who flew in them during their operational period. We finished off at the cafe and shop before making our way home. A wonderful museum and one we hope to...

Some friends and I visited on a Sunday in April and we were most impressed by the quality of the museum. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in the quality of its exhibits and its impressive staff. Upon arrival we were asked if we wanted a tour of the Shackleton, as these are popular and get booked up. We agreed without hesitation and proceeded to enjoy a fascinating tour of the aircraft by a former engineer.

We were also impressed by the newly-arrived SEPECAT Jaguar, the Harrier, and the Virgin Atlantic training area amongst many other things. The Gatwick runway viewing platform a short walk across fields from the museum was a tad underwhelming, but it made for decent exercise and we happily returned to the museum's exhibits.

The cafe is great for a pit stop, the gift shop is somewhat limited but has some interesting pieces.

Getting to the museum isn't easy without a vehicle, public transport options are scarce. We took a taxi from Gatwick Airport Train station. There was ample parking.

Should you fancy something different near Gatwick, this is the...

I visited here because i am flying from Gatwick tomorrow and staying overnight in the area.A lot of the planes here are very rare,the lightning,Buccaneer and the Sea Vixen to name a few.My dad helped to build the Sea Vixen.The Harrier is here as well,the first of the vtol aircraft.Better known as the jump jet.I didn't go in the Shackelton,but managed to take a look in the bomb bay.I sat outside and listened to the planes taking off and thought i will be there tomorrow.It is well worth doing the stopover and glad i visited the museum.There is a catch though.No public transport.There are buses but i couldn't be sure if they run close to the museum.The guys at the museum told me there may be a bus every two hours but id say plan your journey.It's a long walk and a lot of it is on a road with no pavement.If you are in the area,or sat in your hotel lost for ideas i say visit the aviation museum.You may even discover how Gatwick got it's name.The museum displays include the history of the area.If you are like me and waiting to go may i wish you safe skies.thanks.Wheels...