Battle of Britain Memorial Flight visitor centre
Following the government's latest Coronavirus restrictions the BBMF Visitor Centre has temporarily closed.
About the BBMF visitor centre
Our visitor centre provides public access to the home of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). We provide this experience in partnership with the Royal Air Force.
The visitor centre and the RAF hangar are located within the boundaries of RAF Coningsby.
Access to the hangar is by guided tour only and admission charges apply.
Be aware that RAF Coningsby is a military environment.
No bags are allowed within the hangar on public tours. There are no secure storage facilities on site. Cameras without bags are permitted.
If you wish to bring purses, wallets, mobile phones and other valuables, you can put them in a small plastic bag. You can get one from the visitor centre upon arrival.
You will be shown around the hangar by guides, many of whom have first-hand experience of the aircraft. Whilst in the hangar, you will be able to observe the RAF BBMF technicians maintaining the aircraft.
Tours of the hangar last approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Tickets are available through the visitor centre upon your arrival.
The aircraft of the BBMF are:
Lancaster PA474
Out of 7,377 Lancasters built, PA474 is one of only two remaining in airworthy condition. The other is based in Canada.
Douglas Dakota ZA947
This came into service in 1942 with the United States Army Air Corps. It transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force before doing tours in Europe until 1971. It came to the BBMF in 1993.
RAF BBMF's six spitfires, two hurricanes, and two chipmunks
P7350 is the oldest airworthy Spitfire in the world. A Mk V, a Mk II, a Mk IX, and two Mk XIX Spitfires also join her. The two hurricanes are Mk IIc.
Occasionally, due to RAF commitments we cannot guarantee public access to the hangar or the presence of specific aircraft.
Please visit the RAF website or call us on 01522 782040 to check if a particular aircraft will be present.
The visitor centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, excluding Bank Holidays. Free parking is available.
The visitor centre is fully accessible but the hangar is accessible for manual wheelchairs only.
Hangar tours begin at 10.30am. The last tour is at 3.30pm from March to October and at 3pm from November to February.
We cannot guarantee public access to the hangar or the presence of specific aircraft. Please note that the Douglas Dakota ZA947 will be away from 21 September for several months for maintenance.
Our toilet facilities include disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.
Only registered assistance dogs are allowed on site.
Charges for the tours are:
Concessions: £7.50*
Family ticket: £25.50 (2 adults and up to 3 children)
Children (5 to 16 years): £5
Students (proof required): £7.50
Aged 60 and over: £7.50
Under 5's: free
BBMF Club members: free
Lincolnshire Lancaster Association Members: free
*Concessions include people who are unemployed, receiving income support or who are in full-time education. It also includes people with impairments that impact on their day-to-day living, as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
Café and shop
There is a range of giftware available in our shop. This includes framed pictures, prints, books, glassware, model aircraft, sweatshirts and more.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre Tea Bar is open Monday to Friday (March to October 10am-4pm, November to February 10am – 3pm).
The Visitor Centre will close for Christmas on 18th December 2020 and reopen on 5 January 2021 at 10am.
It offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks.