Fun For The Good | Blog #5

Military history for everyone at the Army Flying Museum

With VE Day 80 just around the corner, I’m highlighting this hidden gem British Army museum, nestled in the Hampshire countryside.

The Army Flying Museum, located in Middle Wallop (seven miles from Andover), is a charity with an extensive collection of aeroplanes and other memorabilia that showcases 100 years of the British Army in the air.

It celebrated its 40th anniversary at its current location last year (you can read about all the iterations of the collection on the About Us page) and recently had a visit from King Charles and Prince William.

Join me on a virtual trip around the museum and get the inside scoop on what it’s like to visit!

Address

Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB

Opening times

The museum’s open every day (except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Find the latest opening hours on its website.

How to get there

You’ll need a car or other mode of personal transport, as the Stagecoach 17 bus route from Andover ceases 17 April 2025. There is a new trial of Connect Transport on Demand, which may be a viable way for some to reach the museum but I’ve not tested it.

Parking

The museum has a free, good-sized car park. Pro tip: if you’re coming from Andover, slow before you reach the turning on the left because 1. you can’t always see the signage until you’re almost on it and 2. it’s quite a sharp turn in.

Tickets

The museum offers a ‘pay once, come back all year’ ticket, which is a popular admission offer other Hampshire attractions have, including Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.

If you book online for the Army Flying Museum, tickets start from £18 for an adult and £10.50 for a child (4 and under go free). You can see all ticket options on its website.

You don’t need to book in advance but I’d definitely advise doing so during school holidays. Also, do check in case there’s an event on, as this can impact admission, too (and your annual ticket may not be valid).

When you arrive

You’ll be greeted by a helicopter, a tank and other military items dotted around the car park, so you’ll feel in the swing of things straight away! The museum is also located right next to an airfield, so sometimes you’ll see planes and gliders taking off (more on that later).

The main entrance is located on the left of the building (to the right is the cafe and play area – again, more on that later!).

Check in and gift shop

The check in desk is in the gift shop, so prepare for lots of questions if you’ve got children! Do take a map, as the museum can be a bit of a labyrinth.

There’s a stamp book to fill in, which is rewarded with a sticker at the end of the visit. In school holidays, there’s usually a treasure trail, craft activities and other events.

Touring the museum

The museum’s made up of two hangars, and there are things to see on the ground and upper floors. You’ll find it’s a seamless transition between the two, so do use your map to find your way around.

It’s a very interactive museum, with audio and visual displays throughout. You’ll see lots of real aeroplanes and helicopters, some of which you can sit in.

Exhibits have detailed information on the different wars the British Army has fought in during the 20th and early 21st centuries and you’ll find memorials to the servicemen and women who have represented their country.

There are also realistic models depicting different historic scenes, including WW1and WW2 – you can experience a 1940s house, with its replica victory garden, kitchen, living room and bedroom on display.

For the children

As you’ll know if you’ve read my National Trust blog post and review of Dyrham Park, I always like to know how suitable somewhere is for families.

Happily, the Army Flying Museum has lots to keep children entertained. As previously mentioned, there’s always the stamp collection to do and in the school holidays there’s activities and trails.

Outside of these, they can pretend to be pilots, complete puzzles and games (physical and virtual) throughout the museum, dress up in army clothes, enjoy a small soft play area and a large playground.

The playground is aeroplane-themed and is located right next to the airfield, so you’ll often see real aircraft taking off and landing, which is exciting. There are picnic benches if you’ve bought a packed lunch or have takeaway food from the cafe.

Apache Cafe

If you’re hungry, you’ll find a range of hot and cold food, snacks and drinks at the cafe. It closes a little earlier than the museum but you don’t have to have a museum ticket to use it. It has a great view of the airfield and free wifi.

Accessibility

Most of the museum is suitable for prams and wheelchairs – you can read about accessibility on the the Army Flying Museum’s accessibility webpage.

For all information on the Army Flying Museum, please visit www.armyflying.com

And finally, a word on VE Day 80

On 8 May 1945, Victory in Europe (VE Day) was declared and World War 2 ended in Europe. VJ Day (Victory over Japan) followed a few months later on 15 August 1945.

VE Day signalled the end of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi’s reign of terror across Europe. Over 400,000 British people (military and civilian) were killed during the conflict, along with tens of millions worldwide. You can read an overall timeline events on the BBC’s website.

It will be the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8 May 2025 and many events are planned to celebrate across the country. VE Day 80 has hundreds of local events listed – you can also check for events on your local radio station and social media pages.

Let’s connect

If you think Steph Martin Creative (that’s me!) can help your business, charity or community-focused organisation with their communications, please drop an email to hello@stephmartincreative.com.

Follow Steph Martin Creative:
LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Home