Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum is a historic aviation museum located at the former RAF Manston airfield in Kent. It serves as a poignant tribute to the pilots and crews who fought during the Battle of Britain and World War II. The museum provides an immersive, educational experience centered around two meticulously preserved, authentic wartime aircraft.

Museum Highlights & Description

• The Aircraft: The museum's primary exhibits are a genuine combat-veteran Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI (TB752) and a Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc (LF751), each housed in dedicated display halls. 

• Lancaster Bomber Section: Visitors can view an authentic cockpit section of a World War II Avro Lancaster Bomber. 

• Immersive Simulators: For a unique, hands-on experience, you can book a 30-minute Spitfire Flight Simulator session using real wartime controls for £30/£35, or pilot a Lancaster Bomber Simulator for £75. 

• Memorial Garden: The beautifully landscaped Allied Air Crew Memorial Garden (inaugurated by Dame Vera Lynn) features benches for quiet reflection amidst an evocative atmosphere. 

• Admission: Entry to the museum is free, though it operates as a charity and relies heavily on visitor donations. 

Motorhome & Campervan Stopovers

The museum is highly regarded in the campervan community as an accommodating overnight stop.

• Overnight Stay: Free overnight parking is permitted for self-contained motorhomes and campervans.

• Parking Area: Vans are instructed to park on the block-paved coach bays located behind the museum building.

• Fees: Staying overnight is free, though guests are strongly encouraged to leave a donation in the museum's charity boxes to support its upkeep.

• Access Note: The main car park gates are occasionally locked out of hours. It is highly recommended to call ahead during operating hours to confirm access and let the team know you plan to stay.

• Facilities & Noise: There are no overnight services (no electric hookup, chemical toilet disposal, or fresh water filling station after hours). You must be fully self-sufficient. Some early morning road noise should be expected due to the nearby main road. 

On-Site Facilities & Dining

• The Spitfire Café: Also known as the Merlin Cafeteria, this on-site, fully licensed restaurant serves a wide selection of teas, coffees, breakfast items, and freshly cooked hot food (including popular choices like steak pie). It features indoor dining, an outdoor patio, and windows offering views over the historic airfield.

• Museum Shop: Sells a variety of wartime souvenirs, aviation books, and model aircraft.

• Accessibility: The entrance, museum halls, and cafeteria are entirely on flat ground and fully wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly. An accessible unisex toilet is located right outside the café patio.

Local Information & Nearby Attractions

The museum's location on the Isle of Thanet places you within easy reach of several key Kent landmarks: 

• RAF Manston History Museum: Situated directly adjacent to the Spitfire museum and sharing the same car park, this museum focuses on the broader history of the airfield from 1916 through its civil aviation era. (Small admission fee applies).

• Coastal Towns: The historic seaside towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Margate are all within a 10-to-15-minute drive, offering beautiful sandy beaches, coastal walks, and traditional seaside dining.

• The WonderWorks: Located a short drive away in Margate, this family-friendly venue celebrates iconic British hobby brands like Hornby, Scalextric, and Airfix.