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Lincolnshire's Aviation Heritage
If you are interested in the RAF and aviation, Lincolnshire has a long list of places to visit, including the following:
- International Bomber Command Centre (LN4 2HQ) (Tel: 01522 514755) – an award-winning centre serving as a record of the efforts of Bomber Command during WW2. See https://internationalbcc.co.uk/
- Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre (East Kirkby Airfield, Nr Spilsby PE23 4DE) (Tel: 01790 763207) See https://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/
- Lincoln Cathedral Airmen's Chapel - The Airmen's Chapel of St Michael in Lincoln Cathedral holds Books of Remembrance containing the names of over 25,000 men who flew from Lincoln’s RAF bases in the Second World War and never returned. See https://lincolncathedral.com/
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre (Dogdyke Road, Coningsby LN4 4SY, within the boundaries of RAF Coningsby) (Tel: 01522 782040). Access is by guided tour only. See https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/history-heritage/battle-britain-memorial-flight-visitor-centre
- Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre (Tattershall Thorpe, LN4 4PL) (Tel: 01522 782040). Home of the 97, 619, 617 (Dambusters) and 627 Squadron that flew out of RAF Woodhall Spa in the 1940s. See https://www.thorpecamp.org/
- RAF Digby Sector Operations Room Museum (RAF Digby, Digby, LN4 3LH) (Tel: 07442 532637) – the historic operations room has been restored and guided tours are available by appointment. See https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-digby/contact-us/
- Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum (North Rauceby, NG34 8QR) (Tel: 01529 488490) – the museum showcases the history of Royal Air Force College Cranwell from its early days as a Royal Naval Air Service base to the current day. See https://www.heartoflincs.com/things_to_do/cranwell-aviation-heritage-museum/
- It is part of the North Kesteven Airfield Trail. See https://www.heartoflincs.com/things_to_do/north-kesteven-airfield-trail/
- RAF Waddington – an operational airbase, RAF Waddington is also home to a Heritage Centre and free tours of it are available by appointment. To make a booking, email the Visits Co-coordinator or the Officer in Charge (OIC) at WAD-Heritagecentre@mod.gov.uk For further details, see https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-waddington/facilities/
- RAF Wickenby Aerodrome Museum (Wickenby Aerodrome, Langworth LN3 5AX) (Tel: 01673 885000).
- The Lincoln Aviation Trail - A free digital trail you can follow on your smartphone, which will take you around the city, past aviation landmarks and points of interest. See https://www.visitlincoln.com/things-to-do/trails/aviation-trail/
- Former RAF Hemswell - is now home to Europe’s largest indoor antiques centre. A Bomber Command memorial is next to the former base at the side of the A631 and it has a memorial within the grounds. One of the antiques centres, Astra Antiques, has a History of RAF Hemswell display at its entrance – see https://www.astra-antiques.com/raf-hemswell and Hemswell Antiques Centre (which has 4 buildings housing hundreds of antiques dealers) usually has many RAF and aviation heritage items for sale – see https://www.hemswell-antiques.com/ There is also an information panel on the Polish Bomber Squadron Trail. see https://www.rafingham.co.uk/polish-bomber-squadron-trail
- Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre – RAF Ingham (Middle Street, Fillingham, DN21 5BU) (Tel: 07787 805978) – a project to remember the Polish Air Force Bomber Squadrons, flying alongside the RAF during WW2. See https://www.rafingham.co.uk
- And finally, our favourite, The Dambusters Inn – great food, great beer and an amazing display dedicated to the 1943 Dambusters Raid by 617 Squadron. The pub’s listing in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide reads: “This thriving village pub/restaurant is packed with memorabilia and prints relating to the famous bombing raid. … The eight hand pumps offer an ever-changing selection of ales, many from local breweries.” 14 minutes’ drive. (Please note, closed on Mondays, except Bank Holiday Mondays.) See https://www.dambustersinn.co.uk/