American Air Museum — Attraction in South Cambridgeshire

Second day of 2024 and a horrendously wet and windy visit to IWM Duxford.

Arrived 5 minutes after doors open and rolled straight in through the member's door (if you plan on visiting more than twice in the year, membership is well worth it, check it out on the website). Didn't really matter as there were only a handful of people there at that time. It was noticeably busier when we left at about 1430.

Even with storm Henk cranking up, the visit went ahead smoothly and was mostly indoors except when moving from hangar to hangar of course. We started in the American Air Museum and worked our way back to the AirSpace hangar closest to the entrance.

It was quite eerie in a way being the only 4 people in the place to start with and for me personally it was great for taking photos without people in the way (the photos with this review are just phone pictures).

We also got talking to the various guides dotted around. I have to say, I make a point of talking to these ladies and gentlemen because they are without fail, a fount of information and stories and great for just general avgeek type chats (also goes for the ground staff when the place is active, when able, they'll be more than happy to have a chat if they're not busy). I really do recommend talking to them, it'll really add to the visit.

We didn't do the land warfare museum at the far end, partly because we spent ages in there last visit in October and partly because we'd still be drying out today (have I mentioned that it was rainmageddon out there?).

Working our way back through the Flying, Restoration/Conservation, Air and Sea and finally AirSpace hangars took the best part of 4 hours (fairly quick visit by our standard) and again, the range of exhibits on show is excellent along with the information available.

Special mention for the Spies in the Skies exhibit in AirSpace next to the Victor. Showing a collection of Spitfires (including a replica), a Lysander, a notable historic Lockheed Electra, along with some large format prints of recon images and a couple of video displays too.

If you like aviation and are interested in the history of warfare in general or just want a different day out, then consider a visit. Obviously in better weather and during the airshow season you'll get the bonus flying activity outside along with the jets on the hardstanding being open for a wander through. But irrespective of that, it's still a good day out.

If you are travelling from further afield, plan on 4 to 6 hours in good weather, book tickets up front. Food and drinks / refreshments are available, somewhat pricey as is the case with most places these days, but you can take your own and picnic outside if weather permits.

Also a very comprehensive gift shop as you enter and exit and plenty of toilet facilities all around the site.

As ever, a great day and you always see something different each...

We had the privilege of visiting the Imperial War Museum Duxford in early May 2025 to watch the aircraft practice for their VE Day Flying Day, and it was an unforgettable experience! The historic airfield, steeped in Second World War history, provided the perfect backdrop for this thrilling preview of the 80th anniversary celebrations.

The sight of iconic aircraft like the Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, and Grumman Bearcat taking to the skies was breathtaking. Even though it was just a practice session, the pilots performed with precision, looping and soaring over the airfield, bringing history to life. The roar of the engines and the elegance of these vintage warbirds were enough to give anyone goosebumps. I overheard other visitors marveling at how well-maintained the planes are, a testament to the dedication of Duxford’s restoration teams.

The atmosphere was relaxed, with fewer crowds than a full airshow, allowing for great views of the aircraft from various vantage points. Staff and volunteers were on hand, sharing fascinating tidbits about the planes and Duxford’s role in the war. The museum’s hangars were open, and I loved exploring the vast collection, including the massive B-52 Stratofortress and the sleek Concorde. The Battle of Britain exhibit was a highlight, offering a poignant reminder of the airfield’s legacy.

The on-site Armoury Café provided tasty snacks and coffee, perfect for refueling while watching the planes. The only challenge was the limited parking, but the free shuttle from Trumpington Park & Ride made access easy. For aviation enthusiasts or anyone looking for a unique day out, catching the VE Day practice at Duxford is a must. I’m already planning to return for the main event...

It is part of RAF Duxford, which is a huge area hosting the Air Museum in Cambridgeshire. This requires a full day - and more if you want to see everything... Admission is fairly pricey £16 each for concessions - but they offer an annual ticket which allows you to visit as often as you like... Probably worth it if you live close enough. The area is huge but they have a little shuttle bus which the hanger curators will call for you if you ask. We wanted to see Concorde which is open until 3:00 for visitors to walk inside. I found it surprisingly much smaller than I expected but definitely worth the visit. They offer two tours - one of the site and one "inside the Lancaster Bomber" - both cost an extra £8 each per person (concession price). We enjoyed both as the guides/curators/volunteers have expert knowledge which they are more than willing to share. The Lancaster visit could have been a bit disappointing if not for the enthusiasm of the staff. There are plenty of toilet facilities. The two eating places we visited had limited menu and were pricey. One group sitting at a table had brought their own food The American Hangar was well set out and had some excellent information boards. The staff, without exception, were friendly and the curators had a wealth of knowledge which they were happy to share. We thoroughly...