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From Runways to RAF Heroes: A Family Review to IWM Duxford

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Updated on: March 10, 2025
Published on: March 10, 2025
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Review by @0urlovelylot

Spitfires, tanks – a whole load of history, the Imperial War Museum Duxford (just outside of Cambridge city centre) offers an opportunity for the whole family to take a look back at the years of war and the air crafts and get an idea of what it was like for those who experienced it. With play parks, cafes and a wealth of information to read, it really is a place for all. I wasn’t too sure on what to expect with taking two toddlers to the museum as they both wont comprehend the actual story of it all, however I knew they would love seeing the aircrafts and of course the park. Well, it turns out that our four-year-old was absolutely mesmerised and had a lot of questions to ask!

Read all about Abby’s family day out!

iwm duxford

Family Day Out at Imperial War Museum Duxford

When we arrived we were amazed at how big the museum is (even bigger when we got inside!), with a huge car park and easy to find entrance, we made our way straight in!

We arrived at around 11am, so an hour after opening and there was practically no queue. After the ticket entrance, you walk through the gift shop (this is also the exit) and then out into the open space. We weren’t sure which part to head to first as there is SO much to see… so a coffee stop it was! There’s a few options for coffee stops and the food looked delicious. We took a picnic this time but next time I think I’d at least get a cake there, if not a toastie!

Shape Location Get directions

IWM Duxford Airfield,
Cambridge,
CB22 4QR

Opening Times

Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00

Pricing

Adult £29.50
Child £14.75

Find out more

Scramble - The Summer of 1940

After coffee, we went into the Air Space shed, where they had an exhibition called Scramble – The Summer of 1940, where they had so many aircraft on display; in fact, we were all fascinated!

Both our toddlers couldn’t stop looking all around and shouting, “Wow!, our eldest actually gasped! They also hosted talks where you could learn a lot more in detail about different parts of the exhibit. One of the most exciting parts of this exhibit was seeing the Concorde, you are actually able to walk up and into the Concorde and see the inside of the plane.

The controls were absolutely insane; we were stunned at just how many there were! They then held a demonstration of the Concorde and spoke us through what a flight on one was like, did you know the nose of Concorde can be pointed down to 17 degrees… I certainly didn’t! Our 4 year old has been telling lots of people this fact when they’ve asked him about his visit!

Next, we walked through the play park, which has a perfect view of the airfield and runway. The park is definitely a decent size, with lots to entertain the children with. Although, it was absolutely freezing when we were there, that didn’t stop the boys from playing! 

Aircraft Exhibits and Showrooms

As we made our way over to the next exhibits and showrooms, we had a look in the worker sheds, where you can see people working on and fixing the planes that still fly. This was really interesting to see as a lot of the planes were taken apart so you could get an idea of what goes into the building of a plane. It also smelt like Grandad’s old shed in the back of my Great Grandad’s garden, (where he fixed motorbikes, not planes but still…) the smell took me back, it felt so nostalgic!

The excitement of seeing the aircrafts is also met with the reality of what a lot of the machines were used for, it’s a hard truth and you can only imagine the pain and destruction these wars have caused. Our four year old was especially intrigued by the submarine wreckage alongside the pictures of what it was like originally, we answered his questions in an age appropriate way, he was so intrigued and really went into how the people must be have been feeling and why it happened. While he doesn’t understand completely, there were parts of it that he could understand.

American Air Museum & Land Warfare

We then made our way over to the American Air Museum, not before running up and down the hills – the big open space in between was definitely a good way of letting the children run around, ready to walk through the museum showrooms again. The American Air Museum was filled with more aircraft and machines, war uniforms and even a chance to try on some pieces of uniforms too. I especially liked reading about what the women did to help during the war; it felt like a very important part of the exhibition, and I was pleased this was included. 

The last part we walked through was the Land Warfare, which was easily accessible with the lift, although part of it was closed off as there was a new exhibit coming, which was exciting! Where there are scenes set out that you can walk through to get an idea of what the grounds were like in a war zone with tanks to see and explosion sites, it can feel a bit eerie, but definitely eye-opening!

It was only at this point there was an announcement that they would be closing soon that we realised we had half an hour before the IWM closed, so we headed to the gift shop on our way out. Of course, it’s quite a walk from one end of the museum to the other, but they do offer a mini bus option to take you back if you need it.

Top Tips for Visiting The Imperial War Museum Duxford

  • We visited on a Sunday, which wasn’t too busy, it could be because of the weather and some of it was outside, but it was great to be able to walk around without a big crowd.
  • We arrived an hour after opening and left at closing time, it’s easy to spend a whole day there, although I imagine that either with older children or without children and without a coffee stop you could be done a lot quicker, take it at your own pace!
  • To save money you can take a picnic with you, there are benches around the site and big open fields which would be lovely to enjoy a picnic on.
  • Be prepared to walk a lot, but know that you can take regular breaks across the whole museum and at your own pace.
  • If taking younger children expect to stop at the park, it’s a fun one! With so much to see and walk around, the outdoor space is a good chance for them to run around in between the exhibitions!

We all had an excellent time, the boys were utterly mesmerised and not a day has gone by since that the museum and airplanes haven’t been mentioned! The Concorde was the highlight of the day, as we weren’t expecting to be able to walk through it! As well as the submarine wreckage, which really takes your breath away with what the conditions were like. With so much to see, learn and experience and new exhibits coming soon, we all can’t wait to return!

Find out more

A day at the Imperial War Museum Duxford is nothing short of amazing – a perfect mix of history, adventure, and hands-on fun for the whole family. From stepping inside legendary aircraft to watching planes take flight, every moment is engaging and unforgettable. Whether you’re a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or just looking for a unique family day out, Duxford delivers excitement at every turn.

If you’re looking for more things to do, head to our recommendations page for all reviews on the best family-friendly attractions! From Treetop Golf Bristol and Woburn Safari Park to Little Town Adventures and the National Space Centre in Leicester!