Can You Really Spend a Whole Day Looking at Planes? Our Family Trip to Duxford!
Meet the Creator
Peterborough
Our Arrival & First Impressions
Our first impression of Duxford was just how enormous it is. As soon as we stepped into the first hangar, we were surrounded by aircraft of all shapes and sizes, and it was impossible not to be impressed. The sheer scale of the planes, combined with the vast hangars and fascinating exhibits, immediately made us realise this was going to be much more than a quick visit. The site felt clean, well organised and easy to navigate, and there was a real sense of excitement as we started exploring!
Activities Breakdown
There is so much to see and do at Duxford that it's easy to spend an entire day exploring. We started by wandering through the huge hangars, each packed with aircraft from different periods of history. Seeing the planes up close was fascinating, and we were amazed by both their size and the stories behind them.
One of our favourite areas was the American Air Museum, where the aircraft suspended from the ceiling created a real wow factor. We also enjoyed exploring the historic military aircraft and learning more about their roles through the information displays dotted throughout the site.
What we particularly liked was that Duxford appeals to all ages. The adults appreciated the history and engineering, while the children enjoyed spotting different aircraft and taking in the sheer scale of everything around them. There was always something new to discover as we moved between the hangars.
The only downside was just how much there is to cover. The site is enormous, so be prepared for plenty of walking and comfortable footwear is a must. By the end of the day, our legs definitely knew we'd been exploring! However, the size of the site is also part of what makes Duxford such a fantastic day out, as there's so much to see and experience.
- 1
Taking to the Skies in the Flight Simulator
1. Taking to the Skies in the Flight Simulator One of the biggest highlights of our visit was the flight simulator experience. Although it came at an additional cost, it was well worth it for the fun and excitement it added to our day. It was the girls' first time experiencing a flight simulator, which made it even more special. Watching their faces as they took control and immersed themselves in the experience was brilliant, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about parts of our visit.
- 2
The Interactive Exhibits
Duxford isn't just about looking at aircraft – there are plenty of opportunities to get involved too. The girls loved trying on military uniforms and boots, which made for some brilliant photos and lots of giggles. We also enjoyed exploring the different aircraft up close, with the chance to sit in selected cockpits and imagine what it would have been like to take to the skies. These hands-on experiences brought the exhibits to life and helped keep the children engaged throughout our visit.
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Getting Up Close to Historic Aircraft
There's something special about standing next to aircraft you've only ever seen in books or on television. Being able to explore the hangars, learn about the history behind the planes and appreciate just how enormous they are made this a fascinating experience for both adults and children.
Food & Drink
There are several cafés and food outlets available across the site, offering everything from hot meals and sandwiches to snacks and drinks. We chose to take a picnic with us, which worked really well and helped keep costs down during our visit.
We did treat ourselves to a coffee and a chocolate brownie from one of the cafés, and the brownie was absolutely delicious! It was the perfect pick-me-up after a morning of exploring the hangars. The food and drinks we purchased were good quality, although prices were a little higher than you might expect, which is fairly typical for visitor attractions.
Money-Saving Tip
Pack a picnic! Duxford is a fantastic place to spend a full day, and bringing your own food and drinks can save a family a considerable amount of money. You can always supplement it with a coffee or sweet treat from one of the cafés if you fancy it, which is exactly what we did.
Pros & Cons Summary
What We Loved
Huge variety of aircraft and exhibits to explore.- Excellent interactive experiences for children.
- Flight simulator was a real highlight.
- Opportunities to sit in selected cockpits and get hands-on.
- Dressing-up areas added to the fun.
- Fantastic play park for children to burn off some energy!
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff and well-maintained facilities.
- Easy to spend a full day there.
- Picnic-friendly, helping families keep costs down.
- Brilliant hands-on workshops and activities that encouraged children to get creative and involved.
Could Be Better
The site is enormous, so be prepared for lots of walking.- Some experiences, such as the flight simulator, require an additional fee.
- Food and drink prices are slightly higher than average.
- It can be difficult to fit everything into one visit.
Overall Verdict & Ratings
**Safety & Cleanliness** We found Duxford to be clean, well maintained and easy to navigate. The hangars, outdoor spaces and visitor facilities were all looked after to a high standard, and there were plenty of staff around if assistance was needed. Despite the size of the site, we felt comfortable and safe throughout our visit.
**Rides & Entertainment** While Duxford doesn't offer traditional rides, there is plenty to keep families entertained. From exploring iconic aircraft and sitting in selected cockpits to interactive exhibits, dressing-up opportunities and hands-on workshops, there was always something to see or do. The flight simulator was a particular highlight and added an extra layer of excitement to our day.
**Food & Drink** There are several cafés and food outlets across the site offering a range of meals, snacks and drinks. We took a picnic with us, which helped keep costs down, but we couldn't resist treating ourselves to a coffee and a chocolate brownie during our visit. The brownie was delicious, and while prices were a little higher than average, the quality was good.
We visited during a busy period but found the site large enough that it never felt overcrowded. The vast hangars and outdoor spaces meant visitors were spread out, making it easy to explore at our own pace. We experienced very little queuing and never felt rushed while viewing the exhibits.
Duxford managed to strike the perfect balance between education and fun. The children loved the interactive exhibits, trying on military uniforms, exploring the aircraft and taking photos in the cockpits. Add in the flight simulator and fantastic play park, and there were smiles from start to finish.
Duxford isn't the cheapest day out at full price, but thanks to a special Universal Credit ticket offer, we felt it offered exceptional value for money. The discounted admission made the attraction much more accessible for our family, and with so much to see and do, we easily spent a full day there. Combined with taking our own picnic, it made for an affordable and memorable family adventure. ✈️💕🛝☕️
The Final Verdict:
Duxford completely exceeded our expectations and turned out to be one of the most enjoyable family days out we've had. We expected to see some impressive aircraft, but what surprised us most was how interactive and family-friendly the experience was. From the flight simulator and dressing-up opportunities to the hands-on workshops and play park, there was far more for children to enjoy than we had anticipated. The sheer scale of the site means there's always something new to discover, and we left feeling like we could easily return and find things we'd missed the first time around. Would I recommend Duxford to friends and family? Absolutely. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, a history lover or simply looking for a unique family day out, there's something here for everyone. Would we visit again? Without a doubt. In fact, we're already talking about our next visit!
""We arrived expecting a museum and left with a day full of memories!""Stacie Dunn
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