Discover nearly 20 different original aircraft, alongside engines and highly detailed aircraft recreations, at the family-friendly City of Norwich Aviation Museum. With the exhibits located largely in the open air, a visit here is a brilliant pick for a day with good weather. Watch your kids in the cockpit as they play at being pilots, or simply take the time to marvel at the complexity of these wonderful machines.
City of Norwich Aviation Museum was founded in the late 1970s as a private aviation club. In 1982, its serious expansion as a museum began. Visit today and you will still see some of the vintage aircraft that arrived during this period, including the Westland Whirlwind (XP355) and the Dassault Mystére IV (121). Look out for another highlight of the museum that has been here since the 1980s, the retired Vulcan bomber.
Over the past few decades, the museum has expanded significantly. In addition to its wide selection of aircraft, it now has a small tearoom. Stop by the gift store, too, to pick up a souvenir of your visit.
Check if anything is on at the museum before you visit, as fairs and other events are held throughout the year. These fun, friendly events give you the chance to get to know some Norwich locals as you tour the museum’s many fascinating exhibits.
As the museum is located right beside Norwich International Airport, it is the ideal place for a quick stop when you are arriving to or leaving the city. Factor in extra time before or after your flight to see all the exhibits.
Drive to the City of Norwich Aviation Museum from Norwich city center in around 20 minutes, or take the bus from the main train station to get there within 45 minutes. The museum is open every day except for Monday. Note that on Sundays, it opens a little later. In winter it is only open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. There is a small entrance fee, but a range of discounted rates is available.