Aviation History and Heritage in Lincolnshire

LINCOLNSHIRE AVIATION PAST AND PRESENT

Why not come to Lincolnshire with its ‘big skies’ and experience the thrill and excitement of aviation, past and present. You’ll find a landscape crisscrossed by wartime airfields and reminders of Lincolnshire’s historic aviation role

Greetham Retreat Lincolnshire Holiday cottages are ideally located for explore all the following locations and attractions.

Lincolnshire is home to two of the last remaining Lancaster bombers left in Britain, the oldest military air academy in the world (RAF Cranwell), and the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Red Arrows display teams.

• LINCOLNSHIRE AVIATION HERITAGE CENTRE
  East Kirkby Airfield, East Kirkby, Spilsby, PE23 4DE | 01790 763207
  Open Easter to October Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm) and October to Easter Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm (last admission 3pm).
  Located on a former bomber airfield, the centre includes Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” which performs taxy runs regularly in the summer months (check website for details) and a veteran Dakota. New for 2019 taxy runs in a newly renovated Mosquito bomber from WWII. The original WWII control tower has been restored and forms part of the museum which holds many exhibits focusing on Bomber Command, a Barnes Wallis bouncing bomb, Home Front exhibition, a Hampden restoration project and the Royal Air Forces’ Escaping Society Museum.  Special events and scheduled throughout the summer.  At the entrance to the Centre is a memorial stone to 57 and 630 squadrons.
  Admission is charged and dogs are welcome.
• THORPE CAMP VISITOR CENTRE
  Woodhall Spa Road, Tattershall Thorpe, LN4 4PE | 01526 342249
  Open every Sunday and bank holiday Monday from Easter to the end of September and on Wednesdays during July and August from 1pm to 5pm. Occasional special weekend events during the summer.
  Situated on the former RAF Woodhall Spa bomber base, the Centre hosts displays describing the history of the airfield and the squadrons which operated from it, civilian life during the Second World War, the Royal Observer Corps and Air Training Corps.
  Admission Charged.
• BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT VISITOR CENTRE
  RAF Coningsby, Dogdyke Road, Coningsby, LN4 4SY | 01522 782040
  Open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and some weekends in Summer. Guided tours of the hanger take place from 10.30am to 3.30pm (3pm November to February).  The Visitor Centre is normally closed weekends, all public holidays and two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period.
  Located on an operational RAF airfield the BBMF operates the only airworthy Lancaster in Britain, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Dakota and two Chipmunks. The Memorial Flight is a living tribute to all RAF air and ground crews who gave their lives in the Second World War.  Commitments mean that the presence of particular aircraft cannot be guaranteed.
  Entrance to the visitor centre itself is free and there is no need to book to visit the centre. 

  Hangar Tours Charged.  Tickets for tours of the hangar where the planes are (noting that there is no guarantee of which planes are in the hangar at any time) can be purchased on arrival at the visitor centre though as places on tours are limited I’d recommend booking in advance here: – Lincolnshire Heritage Tickets – Buy Online (digitickets.co.uk)

• METHERINGHAM AIRFILD VISITOR CENTRE
  Westmoor Farm, Martin Moor, Metheringham, LN4 3BQ | 01526 378604
  Open Easter to October Wednesday 11am-4pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 11am-5pm. Group visits at other times by arrangement.
  Located on part of the former RAF Metheringham base, recalls life on an operational airfield, and honours those who served there. Nearby are the remains of runways and taxiways, and a memorial to 106 Squadron.  During the year a number of special events and lectures take place.
  Entry to the Visitor Centre is Free.
• RAF DIGBY SECTOR OPERATIONS ROOM MUSEUM
  Digby, Scopwick, LN4 3LH | digbymuseum@aol.com
  Open from 1st Sunday in May to the 1st Sunday in October at 11am for guided tours. Sundays only.
  The original operations room bunker of this former Fighter Command airfield has been restored, complete with plotting table, state boards and equipment. Other rooms include items related to the many bomber squadrons that were based in the county and the history of RAF Digby.
  Contact the Visits Coordinator at RAF Digby on 01526 327272, Monday – Friday service 01526 327272
  Admission free, but donations welcomed.
• RAF WICKENBY MEMORIAL MUSEUM
  The Old Control Tower, Wickenby Airfield, Langworth, Lincoln, LN£ 5AX | 01673 885000
  Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm, except Christmas day and Boxing Day. 
  Located in the control tower of this former Lancaster base, the Museum records the history of the station. Near the tower is a memorial to 12 and 626 Squadrons.  The airfield remains operational, used by light aircraft.  Whilst enjoying your visit take the opportunity to have some light refreshments in the Watch Office café.
• RAF WADDINGTON VIEWING ENCLOSURE 
  Sleaford Road (A15), Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9FG | 07540 752432
  Open 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday
  The Waddington Viewing Area is situated south of Lincoln on the A15 overlooking RAF Waddington. This offers a unique attraction of being able to view all aircraft (E3-D Sentry, Sentinel and Shadow R1) as well as visiting military aircraft. A purpose built car park offers unrestricted views over the airfield with a snack bar and gift shop on site also.
• RAF WADDINGTON HERITAGE CENTRE
  RAF Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9NB | 01522 728595
  Open every day, by appointment only.
  Visit RAF Waddington Heritage Centre and learn the history of the station. Travel back in time to RAF Waddington’s history within Bomber Command and the Augsburg raid; learn about the V-Force during the days of the Cold War and the Black Buck raid on the Falkland Islands.  Discover the science of radar and other modern technologies used in the Combat ISTAR platforms flown from Waddington today.
  Visits are free by appointment only and group visits can be arranged on request.
  
• RAF SCAMPTON HERITAGE CENTRE 
  RAF Scampton, Lincoln, LN1 2TR | 01522 683856 or 01522 500738
  Open every day, by appointment only.
  The Heritage Centre is located on this former bomber base, home of ‘The Red Arrows’, and covers the history of the station from the Great War.  Exhibits include many items about 617 Dam Busters Squadron, and the tour covers well known sites on the station.  Acknowledged as one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams, The Red Arrows are the public face of the Royal Air Force.  The team demonstrates professional excellence, and helps to promote recruitment to the RAF.  There are no facilities at RAF Scampton to view the Reds, but a small public viewpoint south of Scampton village by the A1500 gives an opportunity to watch the team practising over the airfield.
  Free admission, donations welcomed.
• SKELLINGTHORPE HERITAGE ROOM
  Community Centre, Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe LN6 5UU | 01522 683061
  Open daily April to October 10am to 5pm, November to March 10am to 4pm
  The Heritage Room has a permanent exhibition of photographs and information about the bomber airfield of RAF Skellingthorpe. Close by is a memorial to those who served at Skellingthorpe.
• CRANWELL AVIATION HERITAGE CENTRE 
  Heath Farm, North Rauceby, Sleaford, NG34 8QR | 01529 488490 or 01529 308102 (out of hours information)
  Open April to October for 7 days a week, 10am – 4.30pm and November to March on Saturday and Sunday only from 10am – 4pm.
  The Centre traces the history of RAF Cranwell from its Royal Navy years and the Royal Air Force College to the present day. The experience includes interactive exhibits including a Jet Provost flight simulator, displays, various exhibits and artefacts, storyboards, courtyard area with Jet Provost aircraft, Vampire nose pod, video theatre, local tourist information and shop area.  Light refreshments available.  Group and school visits are most welcome by prior arrangement.  For information on special events please contact the centre.
  Admission is Free.
• NEWARK AIR MUSEUM
  Drove Lane, Winthorpe, Newark, NG24 2NY | 01636 707170
  Open March to October 10am – 5pm and November to February 10am – 4pm. Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
  Situated on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border with easy Access from the A1, the museum is proud to be associated with Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire and its aims. From just one aircraft, Newark Air Museum now displays 74 aircraft and cockpit sections.
  There is an admission charge with ample free parking, café and museum shop.