Introduction

The Shoreham Aircraft Museum was founded in 1978 by local enthusiasts, whose passion for the Battle of Britain period resulted in the establishment of a permanent display in 1988.

The Museum houses hundreds of aviation relics excavated by the group over many years from crashed British and German aircraft, as well as items which have been kindly donated. In addition, there is a fine collection of flying helmets, uniforms and insignia. This, along with a comprehensive display of Home Front memorabilia, ensures a visit to the museum is both enjoyable and educational.

Artefacts are carefully arranged to support items recovered from local 'digs' or local happenings and displays are refined or changed regularly, making a second visit all the more enjoyable.

The Museum serves as a lasting tribute to all those airmen who fought in the skies over southern England during World War II.

All the proceeds are used for recovery and preservation of artefacts. Any remaining funds are donated to the RAF Guinea Pig Club, East Grinstead, a charitable organisation for severely burnt Allied airmen of Word War II, and one with which we are proud to have had a long association.

Tea Room and Gallery

The Museum has a charming tea room, serving home-made cakes and refreshments that can be enjoyed in the large teagarden. There is also a gallery displaying a range of prints by renowned aviation artist Geoff Nutkins, one of the Museum's founders.

Signing Days

If you are interested in attending any of our Signing Days, please keep checking back for new dates and event notices on this homepage. Due to the advanced age of surviving veterans, alterations to line-ups and last-minute cancellations may occur. Where just one or two veterans visit for a more low-key event, this often allows the privilege to spend a longer length of time chatting one-to-one with them.

Private Museum visits for Groups

If you belong to a group, society, association or club and would like a private visit to the Museum over the summer, please contact us. We can offer bookings for weekday afternoons and evenings.

Next Memorial: Fri March 22nd 2024, 12:00 noon

The next memorial will be for P/O Colin Francis of 253 Squadron, who lost his life on 30th August 1940.

The memorial will take place Friday 22nd March 2024 at 12:00 noon in Stansted Village, Nr. West Kingsdown, Kent. Please come and join us on the day.

In the expectation of wet weather leading up to the event, parking in Stansted will be extremely limited, and therefore attendees are politely requested to car share where possible and follow the instructions of the traffic marshallers at all times. Many thanks.
Read about our Memorials Project

The Museum in the News

In August 2022 the museum appeared on an ITV News report regarding our Memorials Project for remembering pilots who died within a ten mile radius of Shoreham.

The report is titled Roadside memorials in Kent honour Battle of Britain pilots near where they fell

Watch the ITV report

Support the Museum - buy a print!

To help raise funds for the Museum, we are pleased to offer a special edition of Geoff's print "Spirit of Kent" for just £35.00 + £6.50 p&p (UK addresses).

In addition, every buyer will receive a FREE print of Geoff's "Ace of Aces" pencil sketch.

Orders can be placed on Geoff's Avi-Art website, or by contacting Geoff at the museum.

Pilot Portraits

We have a few "Pilot Portraits" available, hand-signed by some of the visiting pilots who have attended the various Signing Days here at the museum. The 5 prints available are of Johnny Johnson, Joy Lofthouse, Alan Scott, Tom Neil and Winkle Brown. They are available at £25.00 each + £2.50 p&p. For more information contact Geoff Nutkins.