About The de Havilland Aircraft Museum
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum is located in London Colney, Hertfordshire, England. It is dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of de Havilland aircraft. The museum has a collection of de Havilland aircraft, including the DH.98 Mosquito, DH.104 Dove, and DH.106 Comet, as well as other aviation artefacts, such as engines, avionics, and photographs. The museum also offers guided tours, educational programs, and flight simulator experiences for visitors. The museum is open seasonally to the public and closed on Mondays.
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum was founded in 1979 by a group of enthusiasts who wanted to preserve the heritage and history of de Havilland aircraft. They began by acquiring a de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito, which is a twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. Over the years, the museum has acquired more de Havilland aircraft, such as the DH.104 Dove, DH.106 Comet, and a DH.82 Tiger Moth.
The museum is based at the original de Havilland factory in London Colney, Hertfordshire, which was operational from 1931 to 1959. The factory was where many famous de Havilland aircraft were designed and built, including the Mosquito, Dove, and Comet. The museum has restored the factory to how it would have looked during the 1950s and it is now a Grade II-listed building.
The museum has a large collection of de Havilland aircraft, engines, avionics, and photographs. They also have a library and archive of de Havilland-related material, which is open to researchers by appointment. It also offers guided tours, educational programs, and flight simulator experiences for visitors.
Notable exhibits
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum has a collection of notable exhibits that highlight the history and heritage of de Havilland aircraft. Some of the notable exhibits include:
- DH.98 Mosquito: This is a twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. The museum has a restored example of this aircraft on display.
- DH.104 Dove: This is a small twin-engined airliner and communications aircraft that was used by many airlines and military forces around the world. The museum has a number of examples of this aircraft on display.
- DH.106 Comet: This is the world's first jet-powered airliner. The museum has a number of examples of this aircraft on display, including an original Comet 1 and a Comet 4C, which is the last Comet to be built.
- DH.82 Tiger Moth: This is a biplane that was used as a primary trainer for the Royal Air Force and other air forces during World War II. The museum has a restored example of this aircraft on display.
- Engine Collection: The museum has a collection of de Havilland engines on display, including the Gipsy, Gipsy Major and Ghost.
- Avionics: The museum also has a collection of avionics, instruments and equipment that were used in de Havilland aircraft, including radio equipment, navigation aids, and flight instruments.
- Photographs and Archive: The museum also has a collection of photographs and archive material that documents the history of de Havilland aircraft and the company itself.
The above information is subject to change as the exhibits are subject to change, I suggest checking the museum website for the latest information.
Food & drink
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum has a small café on site that serves light refreshments, including tea, coffee, soft drinks, and snacks such as cakes, sandwiches and crisps. The café is open during museum opening hours and offers indoor and outdoor seating. They also have vending machines on site. It's important to mention that the museum is a small facility and the food and drink options might be limited. If you plan on visiting the museum, it's recommended to bring your own food and drink if you have specific dietary requirements or if you want more options.
Length of visit
The length of a visit to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum will vary depending on your interests and how much time you have available. A general visit to the museum can take between 1-2 hours, but if you're interested in aviation history or if you're a fan of de Havilland aircraft, you may want to spend more time at the museum. The museum offers guided tours, flight simulator experiences and educational programs, which can add to the overall length of your visit. The museum is a small facility but it has a lot of informative displays, exhibitions, and interactive elements that can keep visitors engaged for longer periods of time. It's recommended to check the museum website for opening hours, ticket prices and other important information before your visit.
Hints & tips
Here are some tips for visitors to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum:
- Check the museum's website for the latest information on opening hours, ticket prices, and any special events or programs that may be taking place during your visit.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the museum is located on a large site, and there is a lot of walking involved.
- Bring a camera or smartphone to take photos of the aircraft and exhibits.
- If you're interested in aviation history, consider taking a guided tour of the museum, which will provide more information and context about the aircraft and exhibits on display.
- The museum has flight simulator experiences available, it can be a fun and exciting way to experience flying a de Havilland aircraft.
- The museum has a small café on-site, but if you have specific dietary requirements or if you want more options, it's recommended to bring your own food and drink.
- The museum is a small facility, and it can get busy during peak seasons, so it's recommended to plan your visit accordingly.
- Children and adults alike will enjoy the visit, the museum has a lot of interactive elements and a friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
- Keep in mind that the museum is closed on Mondays, plan your visit accordingly.
By following these tips, you'll be able to make the most of your visit to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum and learn more about the fascinating history and heritage of de Havilland aircraft.
Travel Directions
The de Havilland Aircraft Museum is located in London Colney, Hertfordshire, England. The best way to get to the museum will depend on your location and mode of transportation. Here are a few options for getting to the museum:
- By car: The museum is located off the A1081, and there is ample free parking available on-site.
- By public transport: The nearest train station is St Albans, which is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) away from the museum. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi to the museum.
- By bus: The Uno bus number 724 stops at London Colney, outside the museum. This service operates between St Albans City and Hatfield.
- By bike: The museum is located on the National Cycle Route 61, and there are bike racks available on site.
It's important to check the transportation schedule and plan accordingly, as the bus service may not run frequently, and the train schedule can vary depending on the day and time of your visit.
I recommend checking the website of the museum for more detailed travel directions and also checking the transport companies for updates on the schedules and routes.
