Yorkshire Air Museum Review 2026: Is It Worth a Visit?

Recently, my 3-year-old has become obsessed with aeroplanes. So when we were stuck for something to do this summer, we decided to take him to the Yorkshire Air Museum. It’s only about 15 minutes from us, in Elvington, on the outskirts of York, so we thought it would be a great day out. 

My husband loves reading and learning about the world wars, so this museum, which is full of aircraft for my son to look at, and that takes you on a journey to the days of World War II, sounded like a brilliant idea. 

So if you’re in North Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington — sometimes searched as the Elvington air museum — is a great way to find out about the history of aviation and those who served at RAF Elvington during times of conflict.

You’ll learn about the Cold War and the interesting story behind the Halifax Bomber “Friday the 13th”.

About Yorkshire Air Museum

The Yorkshire Air Museum is in North Yorkshire. It’s the original site of a World War II Bomber Command Station, and the museum tells the story of where squadrons prepared for their missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. 

The Halifax Bomber display

You get a unique experience at the Halifax Bomber “Friday The 13th. This is a reconstructed bomber that has been put back together using different aircraft to honour this plane, The exhibit is in the main hangar.  

The story is that the plane was given the nickname “Friday the 13th” because it was thought to be unlucky, as the previous planes it replaced (code name F for Freddie) were lost in combat. This plane defied the odds and ended up completing 128 bombing missions. The crews painted various unlucky symbols on the side, such as an upside-down horseshoe and the grim reaper, and it became known as a lucky plane, to the point where even crew members wanted to be on that plane, as they believed it would bring them back safe. 

Restored control tower 

The Yorkshire Air Museum are now asking for donations to restore the control tower. This is a communications tower where 4000 flights were counted in and out, and it has a great history, but the building has suffered due to both weather and time. It needs restoring so they can put the building into use by recreating the tower so it will look like it did during the war. 

Memorial Gardens

There’s a memorial garden which is a tribute to those who served in the air forces around the world.  It honours those who served and lost their lives in bomber command stations across northern France and beyond. 

Activities for children

The Yorkshire Air Museum has things for children too, such as the following: 

1. Children’s Play Area: A specially designed play area within the museum grounds provides a safe and fun space for children to explore and use their energy.
2. Interactive Displays: Children can explore with interactive displays, such as one that allows you to build your own aircraft
3. Educational Workshops: The museum organises workshops designed for children, providing them with opportunities to learn about aviation through creative and age-appropriate activities.
4. Plane Hunt: When we went, the museum had hidden a blue plane with a letter on it for the children to find. Armed with a map from the admissions office, you have to find the letters and unscramble them to create a word, then present it to the shop at the end for a stamp. 

Educational resources and guided tours

For schools, the museum offers school trips with various workshops for children to learn more about the air museum and its history. There are also visits you can organise for scouts and air cadets.

There are also hour-long guided tours at £5 per person. 

Cafe

There’s the NAAFI café that sells snacks, food and drinks, it’s classic cafeteria-style dining. There’s plenty of seating. We got a coffee to go so we could drink it outside while our son played in the park.

Facilities 

The Yorkshire Air Museum has a range of visitor facilities, including a toilet block with accessible toilets and a museum shop. 

There’s also plenty of benches at the museum, ideal for those are need to stop and rest often. 

They’ve made sure that even your furry friends won’t miss out on the fun because it’s pet-friendly here as well. Whether you’re rolling in with a pram or need support getting around, this place welcomes each visitor with open arms and ensures nobody misses out on exploring aviation history.

Pricing and value for money

With tickets, you get free re-entry for twelve months. This is great for locals with young children who may wish to return again and again. The prices are below, so the ticket price online it’s a bit cheaper if you buy tickets at the museum on the day. 

Practical Information

Best times to visit

The Yorkshire Air Museum is best visited during scheduled events like Thunder Days. The best times to visit the museum are:

1. During scheduled events, such as Thunder Days, visitors can witness thrilling displays of vintage aircraft and experience live reenactments of historical air battles.
2. Weekdays outside of school holidays give you quieter and more relaxed visits, allowing for lots of time to explore the museum’s extensive collection without large crowds.
3. Early mornings or late afternoons to enjoy quieter periods, especially during peak tourist seasons when visitor numbers are lower and there is more space to appreciate the exhibits.
4. In spring and autumn, when Yorkshire’s climate is mild and pleasant, it offers enjoyable outdoor exploration of the exhibits and memorial gardens.
5. On clear days with good weather conditions, maximise the opportunity to fully appreciate outdoor displays and aircraft viewing in the expansive museum grounds.
6. Arriving at opening time (10:00 AM) to make the most of a full day exploring all that the museum has to offer before closing time at 5:00 PM.

FAQs About Yorkshire Air Museum

Where is the Yorkshire Air Museum?

The Yorkshire Air Museum is at Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU — about 15 minutes from York city centre. It sits on the original site of RAF Elvington, a World War II Bomber Command station. Some people search for it as the Elvington air museum or Elvington RAF museum.

How much does it cost to visit Yorkshire Air Museum?

Adults are £16, concessions £12, children aged 4–17 are £6.50, and under 4s are free. Your ticket includes 12 months of unlimited return visits, which makes it good value for families who can visit more than once. Buying online is slightly cheaper than on the door. Check yorkshireairmuseum.org for current pricing.

Is Yorkshire Air Museum good for children?

Yes — there’s a children’s play area, interactive displays including a build-your-own aircraft activity, a plane hunt trail with a map from the admissions office, and educational workshops. Some parts of the museum involve a lot of reading and information boards which younger children will find less engaging, but there’s enough to keep them busy for a good few hours.

Is Yorkshire Air Museum dog-friendly?

Yes — the museum welcomes dogs. Plenty of outdoor space to walk them around between the aircraft exhibits.

What is the best time to visit Yorkshire Air Museum?

Weekday visits outside school holidays are quieter. For the full experience, visit on a Sunday or bank holiday when the Derwent Valley Light Railway runs and reenactment groups are sometimes present. Check the events calendar at yorkshireairmuseum.org — Thunder Days and special events make for a very different visit.

Is there parking at Yorkshire Air Museum?

Yes — free on-site parking. It can fill up on busy bank holidays and special event days, so arrive early if visiting at those times.

Our Visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum

We enjoyed our trip to The Yorkshire Air Museum, the former Royal Air Force bomber command station had lots of interesting things to see. My son really enjoyed seeing the planes, especially when we were able to look into the cockpit and sit inside some of them! Some parts of the museum were a bit boring for him as there was a lot to read and take in. I’d love to go back without a child so I could take my time to read about it. I especially loved reading about Amy Johnson – the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. 

Address:

Yorkshire Air Museum
Halifax Way
Elvington
York
YO41 4AU

Website: yorkshireairmuseum.org

Website: https://yorkshireairmuseum.org/

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