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Kent Battle of Britain Museum

Hawkinge, East Kent

Kent Battle of Britain Museum, from Kent Battle of Britain MuseumImage: Kent Battle of Britain Museum

Image: Kent Battle of Britain Museum

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum on the former RAF Hawkinge airfield holds what it calls the world's largest Battle of Britain collection, with artefacts from over 700 crashed aircraft. Explore hangars, the armoury and original airfield buildings, then the aircraft displayed in the grounds. It suits families with older children and aviation fans, and deserves two to three hours.

Highlights

  • Artefacts from over 700 crashed aircraft
  • Lord Dowding Memorial Hangar and Stuart-Buttle Hangar
  • Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 52 and Bristol Blenheim in the grounds
  • Original watch office and operations block
  • 25 Squadron Café

Good to know

  • Phones, cameras and large bags are not allowed inside; lockers are available at reception
  • Volunteers can let you photograph the aircraft in the grounds after your visit
  • No pre-booking is needed
  • Notebooks and sketchbooks are welcome

Getting there

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Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge, near Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7AG

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Checked on 15 October 2026 against kbobm.org. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check

Nearby

Folkestone Downs, from Kent Downs National LandscapeImage: Kent Downs National Landscape
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Folkestone Downs

Folkestone Downs is 72 hectares of steep chalk hills above Folkestone, including Castle Hill, Sugarloaf Hill, Round Hill and Cheriton Hill. Climb for huge views over the town and Channel, trace the earthworks of a Norman motte-and-bailey fort and look for butterflies and orchids. It suits walkers with good footwear and a couple of hours.

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Track at Creteway Down opening onto a view over the countryside near FolkestonePhoto: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Creteway Down

Creteway Down is open chalk downland above Folkestone with sweeping views across the town and the Channel. Walk the North Downs Way along the crest, look for orchids on the protected grassland and find the Coccoliths sculpture on the Chalk and Channel Way. It suits walkers and cyclists with an hour or two to spare.

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Grassy chalk slopes of the old quarry at Peene, near FolkestonePhoto: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Peene Quarry Picnic Site

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