About RAF Museum London
The RAF Museum in Hendon is a museum dedicated to the history of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the history of aviation more generally. It is located in Hendon, a suburb of London, England. The museum features a wide range of exhibits, including aircraft, engines, weapons, and other equipment used by the RAF over the years. It also includes a number of interactive exhibits and displays, as well as a cinema showing films about the history of aviation. The museum is open to the public and admission is free, although donations are welcome. It is a popular tourist attraction in London and is a great place to learn about the history of the RAF and aviation.
Notable exhibits
- The First World War Gallery: This gallery covers the period from 1914 to 1918 and includes displays on the early days of military aviation, the development of aircraft during the war, and the role of the RAF in the conflict.
- The Second World War Gallery: This gallery covers the period from 1939 to 1945 and includes displays on the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, and the role of the RAF in the war.
- The Cold War Gallery: This gallery covers the period from 1945 to 1991 and includes displays on the development of jet aircraft, the Berlin Airlift, and the role of the RAF in the Cold War.
- The Modern Warfare Gallery: This gallery covers the period from the 1990s to the present day and includes displays on the Gulf War, the Balkans conflict, and the ongoing fight against terrorism.
- The Milestones of Flight Gallery: This gallery covers the history of aviation from the early days of powered flight to the present day, and includes displays on the development of aircraft and their role in shaping the world we live in today.
- The Hangar 1 Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of aircraft from the early 20th century, including biplanes, triplanes, and other historic aircraft.
- The Hangar 5 Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of aircraft from the Second World War, including Spitfires, Hurricanes, and other famous aircraft.
- The Hangar 6 Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of aircraft from the Cold War, including jets and other modern aircraft.
- The Hangar 9 Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of aircraft from the present day, including modern jets and other military aircraft.
- The Battle of Britain Hall: This hall is dedicated to the Battle of Britain, one of the most important battles of the Second World War. It includes displays on the aircraft and personnel involved in the battle, as well as interactive exhibits and displays on the tactics and strategy used by both the Luftwaffe and RAF.
Please note - exhibits are subject to change
Food & drink
There are onsite cafés which offer a full range of drinks, snacks and food to suit every visitor.
Hangar 1 Café
Tea, coffee and pastries are served all day (weekends and holidays only) . Sit under the magnificent Short Sunderland flying boat or takeaway to picnic outside.
Hendon Kitchen
Our new restaurant serves hot and cold food and drinks in the unique setting of a 1931 heritage building from RAF Hendon.
Picnic Areas
Picnicking is welcomed on the grassed areas of our site. Why not borrow a parachute rug or an outdoor bean bag? An outdoor picnic area with seating can be found near the playground to the rear of Building 51, and an indoor area is located at the entrance to Aeronauts in Hangar 3
Length of visit
Minimum 2 hours but, it is difficult to give a specific time recommendation for how long to spend at the RAF Museum in Hendon, as it depends on your interests and how much time you have available. Some visitors may want to spend a few hours exploring the museum, while others may want to spend a full day or more.
The RAF Museum in Hendon is a large museum with a wide range of exhibits, including aircraft, engines, uniforms, and other artefacts from the history of the Royal Air Force. There are several galleries and interactive exhibits to explore, and the museum also offers guided tours and other educational programming.
If you are planning to visit the RAF Museum in Hendon, it is a good idea to check the museum's website or call ahead to find out about the current exhibits and programming. This will help you plan your visit and make the most of your time at the museum.
Hints & tips
- The local ASDA is just 5 minutes away by car and is a good place to stock up with picnic items for those on a budget or with hungry youngsters!
- If picnicking outside, the museum loans bean bags and “parachute” rugs although numbers may be limited so best come prepared, just in case.
- The museum can get pretty busy during school holidays. If that's a problem for you, try to get there as soon after 10 am as possible although please note that you're requested not to use the car park before 10 am which seems a bit odd.
- Visiting with a large party? If so, call the museum as they can often arrange out-of-hours tours and group discounts.
