Name: Boscombe Down Aviation Collection
Rating: 5.0

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

Old Sarum Airfield, Lancaster Road, Old Sarum, Salisbury, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

Description

The Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC) is one of the best things to do with kids in Salisbury, offering a hands-on aviation museum experience that goes far beyond looking at planes behind ropes. Located in historic hangars at Old Sarum Airfield, this collection is famous for its "cockpits open" policy, allowing visitors to actually sit in the pilot’s seat of legendary fast jets. It is a fantastic destination for families who want an interactive day out where children can touch, explore, and learn about Britain’s flight history.

Entry to this high-octane attraction is very affordable, with family tickets starting from £31.50 and individual adult tickets priced at £13.50. Unlike many modern museums, the focus here is on authentic, tactile history, making it excellent value for money for a full afternoon of exploration.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids near Wiltshire, this museum provides a rare opportunity to get up close to Cold War jets and historic gliders. It is a relaxed, volunteer-run venue where the passion for flight is clear in every exhibit, ensuring an educational yet thrilling experience for all ages.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Cockpits: The standout feature where kids can climb into real jet cockpits and flip switches.
Educational Day Out: Learn about the history of flight testing at the nearby Boscombe Down base.
Restoration Projects: Watch skilled volunteers working on vintage aircraft right on the hangar floor.
Sensory Experience: The smells of oil and metal and the echoes of the hangar create a truly immersive atmosphere.

Top 5 Highlights

The English Electric Lightning: This iconic supersonic interceptor is a huge hit with kids because of its sheer size and "stacked" engines. Sitting in the cockpit gives a real sense of what it was like to fly at twice the speed of sound.
Harrier Jump Jet: Famous for its ability to take off vertically, this exhibit allows children to see the unique nozzles and controls of a legendary British engineering marvel.
The Hawker Hunter: A beautiful jet that was the backbone of the RAF for years; visitors love the sleek design and the chance to see the intricate instrument panels up close.
De Havilland Chipmunk: A smaller trainer aircraft that is much less intimidating for younger children, making it the perfect first "flight" for toddlers and primary schoolers.
Model Collection: For those who prefer smaller scales, the extensive collection of detailed model aircraft showcases the evolution of flight in a way that is easy to follow.

Facilities

Food & Drink: There is a small on-site cafe serving hot drinks, snacks, and cakes. For larger meals, the Skyway Cafe is located nearby on the airfield.
Toilets: Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available inside the hangar.
Shop: A well-stocked gift shop features model kits, aviation books, and pocket-money toys.
Accessibility: The hangar is level and wheelchair-friendly, though climbing into cockpits requires mobility.
Buggy Parking: Plenty of space is available to park buggies within the hangar while you explore the cockpits.

Pro-Tips for Your Visit

Best Time to Visit: Arrive at 10:00 AM on weekdays to have the cockpits to yourself before the school groups or weekend crowds arrive.
Dress Warmly: The museum is housed in a genuine aircraft hangar. Even in summer, it can feel a bit chilly, so bring an extra layer.
Ask the Volunteers: Most staff are ex-RAF or aviation engineers; they have incredible stories that make the planes come to life.
Photography: This is an "Instagram-ready" location—the photos of kids in fighter jet helmets are unbeatable.

FAQ

Is Boscombe Down Aviation Collection suitable for toddlers? Yes, it is great for toddlers who enjoy "things that go," though they may need help climbing into cockpits. While older kids will enjoy the technical switches, younger ones love sitting in the small trainer planes and exploring the wide-open spaces of the hangar. It's one of the best cheap indoor activities in Salisbury for young families.
How long does a visit to the aviation collection take? Most families spend between 2 and 3 hours exploring the cockpits and watching the restoration work. If your children are enthusiasts who want to sit in every single plane, you could easily extend your stay to 4 hours, especially if you stop for a snack.
Where is the best place to park at BDAC? There is a dedicated free car park immediately in front of Hangar 1 at Old Sarum Airfield. You do not need to pay for parking, and there is usually plenty of space even on busy weekends, making it a very convenient day out for those driving into Salisbury.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The freedom for children to touch the exhibits and sit in the planes.
The friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who engage with the kids.
The very reasonable ticket prices compared to larger national museums.
The relaxed atmosphere where families don't feel rushed.

What Visitors Don't Like

The hangar can be cold during the winter months.
The cafe options are limited to light snacks rather than full meals.
Some cockpits are small and can be a tight squeeze for taller adults.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The museum is home to a vast array of aircraft, open cockpits, and flight decks. Here is what you will find inside the hangars:
Cold War Fast Jets & Cockpits: Sit inside iconic British military jets including the English Electric Lightning P1/F2A, SEPECAT Jaguar GR1, Panavia Tornado, and the Sea Harrier.
Classic Trainer Aircraft: Get close to small trainers like the De Havilland Chipmunk, Jet Provost, Percival Provost, Hawk T1, and the Folland Gnat (famously flown by the Red Arrows).
Historic Prototypes & Rare Aircraft: View exceptionally rare aviation history pieces such as the Avro 707 Prototype and the Swift F7.
Helicopters: Climb inside tactical military helicopters including the Westland Scout and the anti-submarine Westland Wasp.
Passenger Aircraft Flight Decks: Walk through the large nose and cockpit sections of a De Havilland Comet 4C airliner and a BAC 1-11 transport aircraft.
Flight Simulators: Test your piloting skills on four interactive flight simulators designed to give you a realistic taste of handling an aircraft.
Aviation Heritage Exhibits: Walk through the historical galleries featuring a massive collection of detailed scale model aircraft, authentic instruments, and flying gear.
Royal Flying Corps Collection: Explore one of the most extensive displays of World War One aviation artefacts in the UK, including original uniforms, medals, and primitive biplane equipment.
The Safety & Science Zone: View a unique display of six different marks of ejection seats and pilot safety gear alongside real jet engines like the Tornado RB199.

Beyond the Main Attraction

There are plenty of secondary activities and interesting sights to explore both at the venue and in the immediate local area:
Active Airfield Viewing: Because the museum sits inside two Grade II listed World War I hangars at Old Sarum Airfield, kids can regularly watch modern light aircraft taking off and landing right outside.
The Skyway Cafe: Located just a short walk away on the airfield, this is an excellent spot to grab a full lunch or snack while watching the runway action.
Old Sarum Castle Monument: Combine your aviation trip with a visit to the English Heritage site of Old Sarum, an ancient iron-age hill fort and settlement located just a 5-minute drive from the hangars.

New for 2026

The collection is constantly growing as the engineering team restores historic airframes right on the floor.
The Lancaster Bomber Cockpit: A stunning, highly detailed reproduction of the legendary Avro Lancaster bomber cockpit is now open to the public, complete with a beautifully rebuilt radio operator's table and navigator's map deck.
Canberra Bomber Restoration Project: Visitors can get a first-hand look at the ongoing restoration work on a historic English Electric Canberra cockpit section.
2026 Presentation & Event Programme: The museum has launched an upgraded evening talk schedule for 2026, alongside popular community events like the IPMS BDAC Model Show and the Aero Jumble '26 marketplace.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (Under 65): £13.50 standard / £14.90 Gift Aided
Concession (65+, disabled, students, and serving HM Forces personnel with ID): £12.50 standard / £13.80 Gift Aided
Child (Under 16, under 5s free): £6.50 standard / £7.20 Gift Aided
Family (2 adults plus 2 children): £31.50 standard / £34.70 Gift Aided

Pricing URL: https://boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/plan-your-visit/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Birthday Parties & Events: The museum can host unique birthday parties where kids get exclusive access to certain areas and a dedicated guided tour.

Contact for Inquiries: bdac@btconnect.com

February to October: Tuesday through Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays: 10:00 – 17:00
November to January: Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00

Address: Old Sarum Airfield, Lancaster Road, Old Sarum, Salisbury, UK

Post Code: SP4 6DZ

Council: Wiltshire

County: Wiltshire

By Car: Use postcode SP4 6DZ. The airfield is signposted from the A345. There is ample free parking directly outside Hangar 1.
By Bus: The Salisbury Reds bus (Route X5 or X4) stops near the Old Sarum airfield entrance, followed by a short walk.
By Train: Salisbury Station is the nearest hub. A taxi from the station takes approximately 10 minutes.