Royal Air Force Museum London

The museum is located in Colindale North London and is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm with the last entry at 4.30pm. Admission is free for all visitors making it one of the best value attractions in the capital. While entry is free you are encouraged to book a timed arrival slot online in advance to guarantee entry. On site facilities include the Hendon Kitchen restaurant for hot meals and the Beaufort Cafe for lighter snacks. There is also a dedicated museum shop in Hangar 1 selling a wide range of aviation themed gifts and souvenirs. The site is fully accessible with lifts and wide aisles throughout the hangars.

While general admission is free some specific attractions within the museum require a separate paid ticket. These include the 4D Theatre where you can experience a flight with the Red Arrows and the Typhoon flight simulator. If you want to sit inside a real Spitfire cockpit you should book the Spitfire Experience in advance as slots fill up quickly. Large bags and luggage are not permitted in the galleries and there are limited locker facilities available. The museum is quite large so wearing comfortable walking shoes is essential. Photography is permitted for personal use but the use of tripods and drones is strictly prohibited within the buildings.

The easiest way to reach the museum from central London is by the London Underground. Take the Northern Line Northbound toward Edgware and get off at Colindale Station. From the station it is a well signposted ten minute walk along Grahame Park Way. Alternatively you can take the 303 bus from outside the station which stops directly at the museum entrance. If you prefer traveling by rail Mill Hill Broadway is the nearest National Rail station served by Thameslink trains. For those driving the museum is located near the M1 and North Circular Road. Paid parking is available on site but the car park often reaches capacity during weekends and school holidays.