In June I will be driving from Dover to Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DY in Wales.

What would be the most interesting aircraft museum to visit along that route? I don't mind a detour if it does not become all to ridiculous. I have already seen Hendon (London) and Tangmere so I think that I have a fair idea how different, but very good those musea an be.

When we were in England two years ago, we visited the Fleet Air Museum, definitely worth it. But might be a bit of a detour if heading to Wales.

I would suggest a detour north and visit Duxford or The Shuttleworth Collection and if it's not too far of a detour RAF Cosford

Good luck, Duxford for the first time visitor is an all day visit.

I second Duxford as a must see and that will keep you occupied for a whole day.

If you can make the detour DEFINATELY go to Duxford !
Where ever you end up enjoy your trip !
Tom

Duxford is a hell of a detour when you consider you have to get round Birmingham and then go across the lumpy bit in the middle of Wales late in the day. For my money your best bet is Cosford, as you can go straight on via Shrewsbury and it doesn't add as much to the journey as it might at first seem.

Also, if there's still time, Shrewsbury is a lovely little city.

Hi Drabslab

Depending on your route, Middle Wallop is definitely worth a visit. When I was a kid in Kent in the '70s, some of the small enthusiast-run aircraft museums there were well worth checking out too - and more moving and personal than the larger museums because of their Battle of Britain crash-site relics.

All the best

Rowan

I'll second RAF Cosford. The Cold War exhibition is well worth seeing. I can't think of another museum where you can see all 3 V-Bombers, a large collection of WWII German rockets, post-war British X-planes and the only KI-46 Dinah in the world. And of course the worlds biggest Airfix Spitfire

Duxford is also very big and has tons of great stuff to see and there's usually something interesting flying around on most days.
Fleet Air Arm Museum is a great place to go, but Yeovilton is probably out of your way. The carrier deck experience is something well worth doing.

And ow Aeroscale is used as a tourist guide as well.

Thanks a lot for the information, I am starting to plan the journey now

Not a suggestion but when I was last there, a decade ago, I found a great little book which had every British military museum listed. Made the second half of the trip fantastic as there are so many little museums.

Most likely, my aircraft related time will be limited to one day. We also need to attend a birthday party, make the maximum of those lovely welsch country roads (motorcycle trip, remember) and add some activities on the priority list of Ms. Drabslab.

For now, It looks like Cosford is going to be the target.

Fly Past and Aeroplane magazines are good places to look for museum information. Northamptonshire is due East of Llandidrod Wells and within easy reach of motorways and main roads. We have 2 very interesting museums, Sywell Aviation museum at the airfield of the same name and the Carpetbaggers museum at Harringtom, the spiritual home of the CIA. Both are only open at weekends as they are run by volunteers. Another option is Bruntingthorpe where they have a number of jets. I'm not sure about opening but an Internet search should give more information. Enjoy your holiday/party/celebration.revellry