Headcorn Aerodrome, Shenley Road, Headcorn, Ashford TN27 9HX
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum
Museum & collection
Place photograph
5.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.8A small air-war museum on an active airfield, where aircraft remains and their stories bring wartime aviation history close to the ground.
This is a specialist aviation-history stop rather than a landscape destination. Its setting on an active airfield and reported exhibits of aircraft remains, each linked to an aircraft and crew story, give it a tangible, place-specific character that a general military collection cannot offer.
Atmospheric · Quirky
Find your way
Open mapHeadcorn Aerodrome, Shenley Road, Headcorn, Ashford TN27 9HX
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the museum at your own pace, taking time to connect aircraft remains with their individual stories. If the airfield is active, other aviation activity may add interest, but it is weather-dependent and not guaranteed.
Things to do
Trace the stories behind aircraft remains
Read the display information connecting aircraft pieces with the aircraft they came from, crash circumstances and aircrew outcomes. This detail is reported by visitors; the supplied sources do not identify specific exhibits.
Ask about a hangar tour
The museum’s visitor information says hangar tours are available from £2; ask at the museum about current availability and arrangements.
Notice the working-airfield setting
Headcorn (Lashenden) Airfield can be active, particularly at weekends from April to October. Flying activity depends on suitable weather; it should not be treated as guaranteed entertainment.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow around 1–2 hours; this is an editorial estimate, not a published visit duration.
A focused museum visit
- 01
Check current opening arrangements before travelling.
- 02
Visit the museum at the eastern end of the airfield, beside the main green-and-blue hangar.
- 03
Take time with the displays that link aircraft remains to the aircraft, crash circumstances and aircrew.
Half day · Half day; airfield activity is not guaranteed.
Museum and airfield afternoon
- 01
Visit the museum and explore the aircraft-related displays.
- 02
Ask at the museum whether a hangar tour is available; the official visitor page lists tours from £2.
- 03
If conditions and operations allow, spend time observing the airfield’s activity from appropriate visitor areas.
- 04
Check whether Stevie’s Cozy Dive is open if you want refreshments.
Verified history
The supplied official visitor information identifies the museum as being on Headcorn (Lashenden) Airfield. A visitor account describes exhibits of aircraft parts with information about the aircraft, crash circumstances and aircrew. The supplied sources do not establish dates or specific wartime events, so these are not added here.
Hidden details
The human story attached to aircraft fragments — Visitor testimony says some aircraft remains are accompanied by information about the crash and the fate of the aircrew. Look for these connections rather than treating the objects as anonymous wreckage.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Check the museum’s current opening arrangements. Airfield activity is reported as particularly likely at weekends from April to October, weather permitting.
The museum itself is an indoor visit. The official visitor page says the airfield is particularly active at weekends from April to October, with activity dependent on weather.
The official visitor page says flying activities are subject to weather. Check conditions and current arrangements before travelling.
What to look for
Look for the explanatory details accompanying aircraft remains: visitor reports say displays identify the aircraft, crash circumstances and the fate of the aircrew. The supplied evidence does not verify particular aircraft or individual artefacts.
The story
Military history; aviation and air warfare
Best time to go
The museum is an indoor visit; the airfield’s additional flying activity is described as most active at weekends from April to October and is weather-dependent.
Check the museum’s current opening arrangements before setting out. Weekends from April to October may also bring more airfield activity, subject to weather.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Aviation enthusiasts
Before you go
Address
Phone
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The museum is at the eastern end of Headcorn (Lashenden) Airfield, beside the main green-and-blue hangar. The official visitor page gives directions and transport information; check current opening arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The official visitor page says the car park is about 300 metres down the road signposted to Smarden. It lists parking at £3.50 per day, payable by card on exit or with a token from the museum. Vehicles and contents are parked at the owner’s risk.
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The official visitor page says refreshments are available at Stevie’s Cozy Dive on the airfield; check current opening arrangements.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and toilet. Confirm current arrangements and the route between the car park and museum before visiting.
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Lashenden Air Warfare Museum
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
