Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust

A fabulous and most interesting museum. I think you could easily spend the whole day taking in the exhibits and absorbing the atmosphere of this once active BoB airfield. The museum is fantastically laid out, and the outside space is very neat and tidy. The recent additions of the Heinkel and Junkers are brilliant, and so much work has been taken on by the volunteers to get them restored and repainted. I can’t wait for my next visit.

The Museum was set out very well, I could have spent longer there than what I did. Very interesting exhibits, to see it all properly you would probably need 3 or 4 hours. They have a Cafe, all the staff were helpful and friendly. If R.A.F. history is your thing, this Museum is well worth a visit

Absolutely unforgettable experience. The amount of memorabilia and items in these museum is impossible to be properly seen even if you spend there whole day!! It's not possible to take pictures inside the museum but you are welcome to take few outside. Definitely would be back!! And the volunteers working here are real gem!!

Was an unplanned visit I’m so glad we stopped. Here was a real nice experience with lots of history and artefacts. Please be aware that you cannot take your phone into the main part of the museum. They do ask leave it in the car or they have lockers. If you do wish to take some photographs of the planes in the outside area a member of staff will come out with you. A nice gentleman came and showed us round the planes up close, and it felt like we had our own private tour. They also have their own on-site café. The ladies that were running the café was super friendly as well.

We was also quite lucky that a Spitfire was flying over the museum while we was there.

Love visiting the museum, normally go at least twice a year. There are so many historical items from the Battle of Britain, and so much information to go with it. There are lots of benches to sit down on your way round just to take in everything you see. The onsite cafe is brilliant. Lots of meals ,snacks,and drinks to choose from. The site and its volunteers are all amazing. It's well worth a visit.

An Extraordinary Museum on the history of those who flew at the enemy for us in September 1940.

One visit is just not enough - believe me.

Go find the museum within the new development of Hawkinge on the old airfield land.

Good parking and a friendly welcome. £9.00 for seniors all day.

A very nice and quaint cafe onsite rusting up cooked food all day and all recommended. Even the home baked cakes are delicious. If it's sunny sit outside but plenty of cover otherwise. A treat.

You are now presented with such a vast detail array of exhibits from aeroplanes to vehicles and items all relating to Battle of Britain.

For me such a detailed report of every pilot and if killed finding attifants from each ground crash.

A second visit is a must to read and take in all they offer

NO PHONES allowed, no cameras allowed due to loaned items of great interest and value. Easy to do just leave in car or in safe box at reception. If you want an external photo The volunteer staff will escort and take your picture.

Everything's so well laid out it's a definite 5 Star venue.

Well done everyone at Hawkinge

Visited while on holiday and had a fantastic time, staff were very helpful and plenty too see. The lady who took me to get some photos was fantastic and very helpful.

Loads too see and a big must when your in the area I would highly requemend seeing this place.

I agree with why your not allowed to take photos in the main hangers out of respect of those who thought during the war etc, was nice to see a vast amount of British and German war planes etc and war items.

The cafe on site was a fairly priced and the staff were very helpful ! Highly recommended.

This must be put on visitors bucket lists. This is the most amazing museum. I have been back three times and i have still not read everything. The whole museum is a very humbling experience and there are endless life stories of both British and German pilots, all so young and who sacrificed their young lives for what really? For their countries but in the end for nothing because in War there are no winners. There is just a waste of lives, heartache and destruction. May they all RIP. But one will find SO many interesting stories and see artifacts from downed planes and personal items of the pilots and much more.. The Volunteers are so friendly and helpful and will answer all your questions. There is a very interesting shop where a person can buy Cds. DVD,s books and alot more and a really nice little restaurant in the grounds and very clean and hygenic toilets. If one gets tired then there are benches outside where you can relax. There is a type 22 Pill box in its original position, a 1940 dig for victory garden which has its very own Anderson Shelter and original RAF Hawkinge Lamp Post to say the least. If you visit, you will neef at least 4 hours to read everything. Really worth it.

The museum is excellent. I didn't like the fact that no pictures allowed policy. I understand this is a request from the families of deceased pilots in respect of their memories, but unless you visit the museum many times in your life, what does not fit a tourist profile, you will never be able to really respect and appreciate the efforts that these aviators did for humanity. That seems to be strange for two reasons:
1) There are lots of reading material that would take you several days to fully read them all. If pictures were allowed, I could read them at home on my computer and later reflect on their struggles and courage.
2) Most items were unique, and without a photo, it can not be admired by anyone else.
This policy makes no sense at all! I hope they will change it.

What an absolutely fantastic place and tribute to 'The few'. This museum may be small but gives you everything you need to know about the battle of Britain, I would recommend it to anyone...
I even found out there was a battle of Britain veteran from my home town

A real gem of a place to visit. There was plenty of free parking available, and everywhere was accessible.
The staff were welcoming, exceptionally knowledgeable and obviously passionate about their work. The café was lovely, with very friendly, helpful staff, and my partner enjoyed a well-cooked "small" breakfast, which he said was delicious.
As for the museum itself: I would suggest allowing a few hours for your visit, as the place is full of artefacts and detailed information about one of the most iconic parts of British history.
Be prepared to leave your phone in the car, or securely with the front desk, as photography is not allowed anywhere in the museum (this is because there are many personal items belonging to air crew on show) That said, if anyone would like to take photos of the outside areas, then a member of staff will accompany you (and point out the best angles to take your pictures from)
I would thoroughly recommend a visit.

What a wonderful volunteer run museum packed with stuff to see. A true enthusiast could spend a month here and not read and see it all. For the less dedicated just the range of aircraft and uniforms is absolutely worth the entrance fee. The cafe on-site is also a treat.

Fantastic place to visit. Having lived in Hawkinge most of my life, I have seen the museum grow massively. Very knowledgeable, friendly staff and some of the best examples of world war 2 memorabilia in the world. Make your you get the chance to visit, you won't be disappointed.

a great informative exhibition, a piece of history comes to life. Historical knowledge can be expanded with a lot of information. fantastic family program. The staffs are very friendly and helpful, the whole family really enjoyed the program.
highly recommended ❤

Such a lovely place lovely tribute to all the men and women who gave their lives for us. All staff are lovely and a wonderful cafe so much to see and read cant take it all in in one trip so we will be back. Thank you to everyone who works at the museum for all your work on keeping the memories going.

A fabulous and a must for anyone visiting Kent. This museum is one of if not the best I have ever visited. You will not be disappointed there is so much to see and take in. I would say you need 3 maybe 4 hours to digest all the info and visit the exhibits as there is so much. Its extremely well laid out and is value for money, the volunteers are so helpful and unbelievably knowledgeable. Whether you love reading about our ww2 history this museum is a must for everyone especially the next generation who should to visit and understand the scarfaces made. Due to some low life's in our society photographs are not permitted inside as phones or other photographic equipment must be left at reception. I agree with the decision for this but due to these low life's it has ruined it for people who appreciate what this trust does. Will visit again when I come to Kent again please visit and support the Trust. Lest we never forget. Thank you all. I enjoyed today's visit.

Oh by the way the Heinkel is a fantastic addition.

Fascinating place, with detailed accounts, thousands of artefacts and just about everything about the Battle of Britain and the heroic pilots who saved the day in that specific time in British history.
Allow a good 2 or 3 hours if you want to take in the displays and the comprehensive and poignant information they convey.
Staff here - all volunteers - are very knowledgable and friendly.
I personally recommend trying the food in the cafè! Delicious breakfasts at a reasonable price.
Highly recommend a visit here, for an insight into the Battle of Britain.

Great day out & very educational for my young son, was amazing to see his face when I explained everything to him & how young these brave men where, not much older then he is. A very humbling experience would highly recommend.

Great staff that looked after our motorbike gear for us, then let us take pictures standing next to the planes, thanks to everyone who works there, especially the reception staff, the canteen staff & the old chap who took us round to take the pictures.

Lovely visit even with spitfire and hazard flying by. So.much history and lovingly curated by the staff there not only Tom and Ian there. Scandalous no funding from government or lottery. Tony does a great burger and crinkle cut chips at the cafe. Highly recommended.

Lovely museum and cafe , not too big good price