Tucked away in the Cambridgeshire countryside just east of Cambridge lies a hidden gem that brings the Second World War vividly to life: Bottisham Airfield Museum. As you approach the site, nestled on Wilbraham Road near the village of Bottisham, the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes waving in the breeze hint at the rich history that awaits.
Once home to RAF pilots, Belgian airmen, and later, American fighter squadrons, the airfield operated from 1940 to 1946. Today, thanks to the efforts of passionate volunteers, it has been lovingly restored to preserve and share the stories of those who served here. It’s the only museum in the UK dedicated to all three of these air forces.
Bottisham Airfield Museum
Wilbraham Road
Cambridge CB25 9BU
www.bottishamairfieldmuseum.org.uk
info@bottishamairfieldmuseum.org.uk
+44 1223 813952
April – November
Wednesdays 10:30 – 16:00
Sundays 10:30 – 16:00
Admission fee
The museum is 3 miles outside of Cambridge.
Exit the A14 on Junction 35 signposted for Bottisham and Stow cum Quy. Follow the 1303 towards Bottisham and Newmarket. Take the 2nd right turn onto Wilbraham Rd and the museum is 100 yards on your right.
Aircraft collection
| N6635/25 – E2-C | de Havilland DH.82aTiger Moth North American P-51D Mustang (replica) |
Visitors step into original wartime buildings, where the past echoes through every exhibit. You’ll find yourself transported as you explore reconstructed Nissen huts filled with uniforms, personal letters, and aircraft memorabilia. Among the museum’s prized exhibits is a stunning replica of the P-51 Mustang, painted in the iconic Lou IV livery of the USAAF’s 361st Fighter Group. Alongside it sits a rare Tiger Moth biplane—an original that once trained pilots right here during the war.
The museum isn’t just for history buffs; it’s interactive and family-friendly. Children and adults alike can climb into a Mustang cockpit, try out a flight simulator, and explore the Home Guard and wartime domestic life displays. Volunteers, many with deep personal connections to the site’s past, are always on hand to share insights and stories.
After exploring the exhibits, the Flying Tractor Café is the perfect place to relax. With homemade cakes, fresh coffee, and local produce, it’s a cozy stop that completes the experience. The museum’s gift shop offers aviation-themed souvenirs and books for those wanting to take a piece of history home.
The museum is open from April to November, on Wednesdays and Sundays, from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is modest—just £5 for adults, and under-18s go free. Dogs are welcome, and there’s ample free parking on site.
Throughout the year, Bottisham Airfield Museum hosts special events such as classic car shows, wartime weekends, and even helicopter flights. These lively gatherings offer even more reasons to return.
Whether you’re a lifelong aviation enthusiast or simply curious about the past, Bottisham Airfield Museum offers a warm, personal, and moving experience. It’s a tribute not only to the aircraft and battles of the Second World War, but to the people—pilots, ground crews, and civilians—whose courage shaped history.