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.
Unfortunately due to RAF commitments the BBMF Hangar will be closed on Tuesday 23 April 2024 and Wednesday 15 May 2024, therefore we will not be able to offer any tours of the hangar.
The tea room will also be closed however the BBMF Visitor Centre will be open as usual. We apologise for any inconvenience
Security notice
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.
Safety notice
Hand hygiene facilities are available.
Guided tours
Access to the hangar is by guided tour only and admission charges apply.
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.
We are not currently taking advance bookings for tours. Simply come along to the Visitor Centre and we will get you on the first available tour.
Tours begin at 10.30am. The last tour is at 3.30pm from March to October and at 3pm from November to February.
Please note that the Dakota is currently away for maintenance work.
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.
Current servicing of the BBMF aircraft
Douglas C-47 Dakota ZA947 is away undergoing a major servicing at Duxford and is not due back until spring 2024. (The Aero Legends Dakota KP220 will be resident in the BBMF hangar during that the winter period).
Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 is now also at Biggin Hill for a major servicing and is not due back until at least July 2024.
Whilst Lancaster PA474 will be resident in the BBMF hangar, it will be having its tail planes renewed this winter and will be tailless for much of the winter period.
Plan your visit
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. View our accessibility guide.
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.
Our toilet facilities include disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.
Only registered assistance dogs are allowed on site.
Admission charges
Charges for the tours are:
- adults: £11.50
- concessions: £10 - includes 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.
- family ticket 1: £29.50 (two adults and up to three children)
- family ticket 2: £18 (one adult and up to three children)
- family ticket 3: £28.50 (two adults and one child)
- children (5 to 16 years): £6.50
- students (proof required): £10
- under 5's: free
- BBMF club members: free
- Lincolnshire Lancaster Association Members: free
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 April to October 10am to 4pm and November to March 10am to 3pm, selling teas, coffees and cakes.