What to do and see in East Midlands, England: The Best Military Museums

Open Sundays 1-5pm Easter to October. Bank Holidays 1-5pm. Wednesdays July & August 1-5pm. The centre was formerly part of No.1 Communal Site, RAF Woodhall Spa, and was Built in 1940 with a planned life span of only 10 years!. The site included the Officers and Sergeants Messes, Airmen's Dining Halls and the NAAFI building, together with Ration Store, Latrines and Ablution Block. Only the Airmen's Dining Halls, the NAAFI, Ablution Block and Ration Store are within the Centre's boundary The Thorpe Camp Preservation Group established the Visitor Centre in 1988 to commemorate those Airmen who flew from the airfield in World War II. 97, 619, 617 (Dambusters) and 627 Squadrons were based at RAF Woodhall Spa.

The Museum spans that very small period in history from 1830 - 1980 in which the technological revolution took place. The collection traces the progress of electronic and engineered artefacts including telegraphy, telephony, audio, military and civil communications, warfare, photography, scientific and electrical domestic equipment. Many items can be demonstrated including an A & B Telephone and a new exhibit to demonstrate a Military Pedal/Hand Generator. It was used for charging batteries. It has been wired up to a light bulb which can be switched on and off to show how much energy is needed to light the bulb. Kids love to “have a go” so we think this new exhibit will bring a lot of pleasure to both young and old.

Our museum comprises of a number of weatherproof hangers jam-packed full of military vehicles, guns, cannons and military paraphernalia. The ‘Inner Sanctum’ has a variety of pieces telling of the human side of WWII and a few exhibits from WWI too. The Armourgeddon museum is open April to end Oct each year.

The award winning IBCC opened to the public for the first time on the 30th January 2018. The site includes the one of the UK's tallest War Memorials, The Spire, which stands out on Lincoln's skyline at 31.09m tall, the same height as the wingspan of a Lancaster Bomber. The Spire is surrounded by curved walls which carry the names of 57,871 men and women who gave their lives whilst in the service of Bomber Command during WW2. The Spire is set in 10 acres of landscaped peace gardens, one which represents Lincolnshire's contribution to the war and one that recognizes the involvement of 62 nations in Bomber Command. The Chadwick Centre provides all our visitor facilities and hosts three exhibition galleries covering our core themes of Recognition, Remembrance and Reconciliation. There is also an education suite and facilities for corporate hospitality. Children's trails and craft sessions available. The site is free to visit but tickets are needed to gain access to the Exhibition.

A partnership between the Royal Air Force and Lincolnshire County Council provides public access to the home of the RAF Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby. The RAF BBMF hangar is located within the boundaries of RAF Coningsby and viewing the flight’s historic aircraft at close quarters is available only by guided tour. You will be shown around the hangar by volunteer guides, many of whom have first hand experience of the aircraft. They give freely of their time, being keen to ensure the public appreciate this living tribute to all RAF aircrew and ground crew who gave their lives in the Second World War .

The Queen's Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum is accommodated in a refurbished space spanning the front of Thresby Courtyard, set within the stunning surroundings of Thoresby Park. A series of graphic panels and display cases, learning zones and video presentations, take visitors through our fascinating story. Entry to the museum is free.

PLEASE ONLY LEAVE REVIEWS FOR THE SYWELL AVIATION MUSEUM HERE NOT SYWELL AERODROME OR EVENTS HELD THERE THANK YOU! Charting the history of aviation at Sywell Aerodrome and in Northamptonshire, Sywell Aviation Museum is run and staffed entirely by volunteers. Entry is free - donations are welcome. Please note we open from Easter Saturday to the end of September every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday between 1030-1630. We also open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 1200-1600hrs. Group visits and guided tours can be booked outside those times - please contact us for details!