Adults and children walking along a tarmac path in an airfield. There is a parked British Airways aircraft in the distance next to some picnic tables.
See and do

Airfield and grounds

Enjoy some open-air adventures at East Fortune.

Explore the outdoor aircraft on display in our historic airfield. If you're feeling really adventurous, take on our outdoor assault course. 

Around the airfield

Vulcan

Location: Outside Military Aviation hangar

Get up close to the world's first delta winged bomber on display at East Fortune. Originally entering service with the RAF in 1963, the Vulcan at East Fortune remains one of only two Vulcans which dropped weapons in actual conflict. 

 

A couple holds hands walking on the tarmac in front of a plane.

BAC 1-11

Location: Next to Assualt Course

Board the most successful British jet airliner, the BAC1-11. Built in 1968, this aircraft flew passengers from Manchester and London to local and abroad destinations. 

The aircraft is open for boarding at various times throughout the day. Please ask staff for boarding times. 

 

Comet

Location: Outside Conservation Hangar

Step back in time when you step on board a 1962 de Havilland Comet. Climb on board and discover flight on the world's first passenger jet. 

The Comet is open for boarding at various times throughout the day. Please ask staff for boarding times. 

An adult pushing a child along a zipline on an assault course. There is a British Airways aircraft parked in the background.

Assault Course

Location: Behind Civil Aviation hangar

Supervise your children as they Whizz down the zipline and tackle army-style climbing frames in our outdoor adventure playground. 

Accessibility

Getting around the airfield

The National Museum of Flight is a historic airfield and covers a large area. 

Visitors with mobility difficulties may wish to drive between the different hangars and galleries. Accessible parking spaces are available throughout the site. Please be aware that there is a 10mph speed limit on site. 

Please check our museum map to plan your route around the airfield. Our Visitor Experience staff are also on hand to give you directions. 

Boarding aircraft

Due to the historic nature of our collection the Comet and BAC 1-11 can only be boarded by using stairs. 

The outdoor passenger aircrafts are open for boarding at various times throughout the day. Please ask staff for boarding times. 

Please see details in the shop or ask a member of the team for boarding times. 

Seating

There are picnic tables across the site. Some picnic tables have designated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. 

Facilities

Toilets are available in the: 

  • Museum shop
  • Concorde Experience hangar
  • Fantastic Flight gallery
  • Aviator Café.

Please check the museum map for the nearest toilets. 

Visit our accessibility page for full access information for the National Museum of Flight. 

Further content for Airfield and grounds