Sywell Aviation Museum
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Sywell Aviation Museum

Sywell Aviation Museum
5
Military MuseumsSpeciality Museums
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
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!
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • gma
    Northampton, United Kingdom17 contributions
    A really enjoyable visit
    Excellent visit to a very well run and packed little museum, with loads of interesting aviation memorabilia. Two volunteers made us all very welcome and were very accommodating to our grandchildren, sitting them in the plane cockpit, trying on helmets,etc. Also very informative in providing background details to exhibits.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 29 May 2023
  • Karl D
    Leicester, United Kingdom1 contribution
    Great afternoon out
    Lovely little museum and free! Interactive and tactile for the family. Friendly staff who were happy to talk. Visited the aviation hotel and bar for a pint after watching the aircraft taking off. What a fantastic place
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 June 2023
  • Charles S
    Northamptonshire, United Kingdom1,044 contributions
    Excellent Museum / Enjoyable Visit
    We visited Sywell Aviation Museum on it's season opening day in April this year. In addition to the fantastic museum which is absolutely filled to the roof with interesting wartime artifacts and memorabilia, on the opening day there were many vehicles of the era parked outside on the car park with their owners for visitors to see and chat, also there was a 40's band playing hits of the era and singer dressed for the occasion. The morning was perfect, dry and sunny and planes were taking off and landing for displays. A great day, and thanks to the many museum volunteer staff for making the day special. Entrance to the museum is free via a contribution and is open every weekend plus Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There is a free car park on site. Worth a visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 19 July 2023
  • Dave B
    Corby Glen, United Kingdom22 contributions
    Great little museum
    This is a really good little museum situated on a former WW2 airbase. It is full of artefacts, parts collected locally from crashed aircraft and accounts from local people of their experiences. There is no charge but they, undersrandably request a donation. It is right by the Aviator restaurant where apart from good food, there are lots of historic photos of aircraft. As it is still an airfield one can watch tge small planes landing and taking off.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 August 2023
  • BelC0001
    Sydney, Australia628 contributions
    A small but very compact museum, packed full of aviation memorabilia
    The museum is housed adjacent to the Aviator Hotel, both on the Sywell Aerodrome grounds and shares the Hotel's deep art deco heritage. The museum is run by volunteers and is packed full, floor to ceiling, with British aviation treasures, mainly to do with the military service. So much to see, read, absorb the history that a couple of hours might do it justice. Housed in old Nissan huts, from the outside it looks unassuming, but wait till you step foot inside!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 September 2023
  • Ruth D
    1 contribution
    Great experience.
    Our cub Scout section visited Sywell Aviation Museum and our guide was Ben. He was great; our cubs thoroughly enjoyed their visit, hearing about all the planes and helicopters. Ben was a wealth of knowledge and we would definitely recommend a visit. Thank you for such an enjoyable visit.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled on business
    Written 30 September 2023
  • Jean D
    Northampton, United Kingdom13 contributions
    What a gem!
    What a gem! A group of 15 of us visited this amazing museum today. Most of us have lived in the area for many years and never visited before and we were all incredibly impressed at what we found. Wonderful displays, so much little known local history from the Second World War, the guides were fantastic and I recommend that you do have a guide for so many fascinating snippets, without it being too long and boring. We shall definitely be back to take a more leisurely and informed look at the exhibits. Plus you can enjoy a coffee or meal at The Aviator watching all the flying activity at the airfield. All round a brilliant visit. Thanks to all.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 October 2023
  • Brian A
    3 contributions
    Superb Sywell
    Pre arranged personal group tour with Ben, whose knowledge and enthusiasm came to the fore with his artifact stories of the many items on display. He brought our tour colour and true history tales of unsung heroes and heroines near and far, also memorials to those who paid the ultimate price. Well done Ben and your other volunteers keeping this historic treasure trove alive and open for others, keep up the good work. Good luck with future plans.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 30 October 2023
  • Niki B
    5 contributions
    Boys dream come teue
    I look after a little boy who absolutely loves planes. A lovely man at the museum was extremely kind and gave up his free time to let me and my little friend have a look around the museum and a sit in the cockpit. I cannot thank them enough for their kindness and time. My little mate said it was the best day ever! He has not stopped talking about it. His love of planes has grown even more (if that is at all possible lol) Thanks especially to Ben. You are amazing thank you x
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 17 November 2023
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5.0
116 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
25
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Niki B
5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I look after a little boy who absolutely loves planes. A lovely man at the museum was extremely kind and gave up his free time to let me and my little friend have a look around the museum and a sit in the cockpit. I cannot thank them enough for their kindness and time. My little mate said it was the best day ever! He has not stopped talking about it. His love of planes has grown even more (if that is at all possible lol)
Thanks especially to Ben. You are amazing thank you x
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian A
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Pre arranged personal group tour with Ben, whose knowledge and enthusiasm came to the fore with his artifact stories of the many items on display. He brought our tour colour and true history tales of unsung heroes and heroines near and far, also memorials to those who paid the ultimate price. Well done Ben and your other volunteers keeping this historic treasure trove alive and open for others, keep up the good work. Good luck with future plans.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Red Sands Radio
Whitstable, UK10 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
What a wonderful venue, we were greeted by boss man Ben, who explained the history of the Sywell Airdrone from private ownership, RAF wartime presence to present times. The museum has a comprehensive collection of aero items, many with a tangible local link. The museum has exciting plans to introduce teaching from a historic aircraft, there being no entry fee survives by voluntary contributions
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jean D
Northampton, UK13 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
What a gem! A group of 15 of us visited this amazing museum today. Most of us have lived in the area for many years and never visited before and we were all incredibly impressed at what we found. Wonderful displays, so much little known local history from the Second World War, the guides were fantastic and I recommend that you do have a guide for so many fascinating snippets, without it being too long and boring. We shall definitely be back to take a more leisurely and informed look at the exhibits.

Plus you can enjoy a coffee or meal at The Aviator watching all the flying activity at the airfield.

All round a brilliant visit. Thanks to all.
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ruth D
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Business
Our cub Scout section visited Sywell Aviation Museum and our guide was Ben. He was great; our cubs thoroughly enjoyed their visit, hearing about all the planes and helicopters. Ben was a wealth of knowledge and we would definitely recommend a visit. Thank you for such an enjoyable visit.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BelC0001
Sydney, Australia628 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The museum is housed adjacent to the Aviator Hotel, both on the Sywell Aerodrome grounds and shares the Hotel's deep art deco heritage. The museum is run by volunteers and is packed full, floor to ceiling, with British aviation treasures, mainly to do with the military service. So much to see, read, absorb the history that a couple of hours might do it justice. Housed in old Nissan huts, from the outside it looks unassuming, but wait till you step foot inside!
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gordonmG205JK
Cambridge, United Kingdom11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Excellent museum, packed with artifices from aviation in Northamptonshire. Spent a couple of hours, but could have stayed a lot longer! Fascinating local stories. Very helpful and friendly staff.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

malc1005
Kettering, UK4,714 contributions
Aug 2023
What a great lovely museum this is, and such friendly and knowledgeable staff on duty today, this is a must see, can not believe we have not visited before now. Highly recommended.
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave B
Corby Glen, UK22 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
This is a really good little museum situated on a former WW2 airbase.
It is full of artefacts, parts collected locally from crashed aircraft and accounts from local people of their experiences.
There is no charge but they, undersrandably request a donation.
It is right by the Aviator restaurant where apart from good food, there are lots of historic photos of aircraft.
As it is still an airfield one can watch tge small planes landing and taking off.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charles S
Northamptonshire, UK1,044 contributions
Apr 2023
We visited Sywell Aviation Museum on it's season opening day in April this year. In addition to the fantastic museum which is absolutely filled to the roof with interesting wartime artifacts and memorabilia, on the opening day there were many vehicles of the era parked outside on the car park with their owners for visitors to see and chat, also there was a 40's band playing hits of the era and singer dressed for the occasion. The morning was perfect, dry and sunny and planes were taking off and landing for displays. A great day, and thanks to the many museum volunteer staff for making the day special. Entrance to the museum is free via a contribution and is open every weekend plus Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There is a free car park on site. Worth a visit.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Sywell Aviation Museum

Frequently Asked Questions about Sywell Aviation Museum

Sywell Aviation Museum is open:
  • Tue - Wed 12:00 - 16:00