RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Yeovil, BA22 8HT, Somerset, United Kingdom
Royal Navy Museums: Naval Aviation
Museum & collection
Place photograph
5.2
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.2Naval aviation is told through aircraft you can see at close quarters and exhibits that invite you beyond the gallery floor. The collection includes the first British-built Concorde, while a guided carrier experience recreates parts of life aboard HMS Ark Royal.
This is a strong heritage discovery rather than a wild landscape: its appeal lies in the scale and specificity of the naval aviation collection. Aircraft such as Concorde 002 and the carrier experience give the visit tangible points of discovery, while focused tours can add expert context.
Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapRNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Yeovil, BA22 8HT, Somerset, United Kingdom
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The experience
Explore the naval aviation collection at your own pace, pausing at aircraft and interactive displays. For a more guided visit, the museum offers bookable tours with focused options including Concorde 002, the HMS Ark Royal carrier experience and the Barracuda rebuild.
Things to do
See Concorde 002
Find the first Concorde built in the UK. A bookable focused mini tour offers an up-close look at its interior and exterior.
Allow time within your museum visit; the focused tour is 30 minutes.
Explore the aircraft-carrier experience
Take the guided tour through the HMS Ark Royal carrier exhibit, including a simulated flight-deck experience and recreated shipboard spaces.
30 minutes for the focused tour.
Discover the Barracuda rebuild
Learn about the museum’s project to rebuild a Fairey Barracuda torpedo dive bomber; a focused tour discusses its restoration and the aircraft’s story.
30 minutes for the focused tour.
Look for Humphrey
The museum’s focused tour explores the helicopter known as Humphrey and its association with the Falklands Conflict.
30 minutes for the focused tour.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
A focused museum visit
- 01
Explore the museum galleries and choose aircraft or exhibits that interest you.
- 02
Make time for the aircraft-carrier experience if it is available during your visit.
- 03
Finish with a café stop or a visit to the gift shop.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it
- 01
Allow time to explore the museum galleries rather than treating the visit as a brief stop.
- 02
Join a guided or focused mini tour, subject to availability and advance booking.
- 03
Take a café break and revisit the exhibits that caught your attention.
Verified history
The museum presents the history of naval aviation through aircraft and related exhibits. Its official tour information identifies Concorde 002 as the first Concorde built in the UK and describes a carrier experience based on HMS Ark Royal. It also offers a focused tour of the Fairey Barracuda rebuild project and a tour about Humphrey, associated with the Falklands Conflict.
Hidden details
Go inside Concorde 002 — The official site describes a bookable focused tour that includes access to Concorde 002’s interior as well as a close look at its exterior. Check availability and booking requirements in advance.
See the carrier spaces beyond the flight deck — The HMS Ark Royal experience includes recreated operational spaces such as the FlyCo, Fighter Direction Team, Operations Room and Bridge.
When to go
· Visit during published opening hours; check current details before setting out.
The experience is primarily indoors, so there is no evidenced seasonal advantage.
Most of the described experience is inside the museum. Check current opening arrangements before travelling.
What to look for
- 01
Look for Concorde 002, the first Concorde built in the UK
- 02
the recreated HMS Ark Royal carrier spaces, including the flight deck simulation and bridge
- 03
Humphrey, associated with the Falklands Conflict
- 04
and the Fairey Barracuda rebuild project.
The story
Aviation
Best time to go
All year; the museum is an indoor attraction. Check opening days and hours before visiting.
The venue is indoors, so the visit is not dependent on season or weather. Choose a day when the museum is open and check ahead if you want a particular guided tour or exhibit.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Families · Teens · Groups · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10am-4:30pm
- Thursday: 10am-4:30pm
- Friday: 10am-4:30pm
- Saturday: 10am-4:30pm
- Sunday: 10am-4:30pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The museum is listed as open to visitors Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–16:30; the supplied listing says it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is paid and advance tickets are recommended. Check current opening arrangements, ticket details and any access restrictions before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
The supplied listing reports free and paid parking options. Check current parking arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets are listed among the amenities; wheelchair-accessible toilets are also reported. Check current facilities before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
A café and restaurant are listed on site. The official guided-tour page describes refreshments at Warnefords Café.
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied listing reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet. Check with the museum about current access arrangements and any exhibit closures.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Royal Navy Museums: Naval Aviation
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
