Aerospace Bristol for families
Aerospace Bristol has lots of old planes and smart kid-friendly activities based around aviation history. But the Concorde is the star.
Why visit Aerospace Bristol
Aerospace Bristol celebrates more than a century of aerospace innovation and engineering. Wait – come back! It’s not as boring as it sounds.
The main section of the museum is the Aerospace Galleries, which could fall into the trap of just being bits of old planes, but mercifully isn’t.
A good chunk of it is devoted to Bristol’s considerable contribution to aviation – Bristol companies were behind several key planes in the first half of the 20th century.
There’s also a Conservation in Action Workshop, where visitors can watch vintage planes being painstakingly restored.
The main attraction, however, the last Concorde to ever fly – which is kept in a separate hangar.
Visiting Aerospace Bristol with children
Aerospace Bristol does a pretty good job of making a potentially dull subject accessible to kids. There are plenty of buttons to press and gadgets to play with. Where else can children try to work a replica riveting gun? Or use a joystick to position a plane’s wings for landing?
There’s also a ‘time-travelling trail’ which is essentially a comic with lots of questions in. The answers are to be found amongst the exhibits, turning the museum into a giant treasure hunt.
Aerospace Bristol review: The best bit
The Concorde is very obviously the highlight of Aerospace Bristol, and it’s not just for staring at. You can go inside, see how surprisingly unluxurious the seating was, and be staggered by the amount of switches and controls pilots had to manage in the cockpit.
Infants, juniors or secondary?
Much of Aerospace Bristol is likely to go over younger children’s heads, although there are a few wow moments. Juniors and secondary age children who are interested in the subject are likely to get the most out of the visit.
Aerospace Bristol entry prices
Aerospace Bristol tickets cost £19.50 for adults and £12 for children. It’s an extra £3 if you want to have a go on the Red Arrows simulator ride. Family tickets cost £55 for a family of four, although there are cheaper versions for a family of three.
These ticket prices are steep, but the tickets allow you to come back as many times as you like within the next year.
Prices were last checked and updated on 25 November 2024.
Full day, half day or a couple of hours?
Real enthusiasts might be able to make half a day of Aerospace Bristol, but for most visitors, a couple of hours is fine.
Attractions near Aerospace Bristol
Nearby attractions that can be combined with a visit to Aerospace Bristol include:
- The Bristol Zoo Project.
- Surf lessons at the Wave.
- The SS Great Britain on Bristol Harbour.
Nearby cities
Other cities within a 90 minute drive of Aerospace Bristol include Exeter, Bath, Wells, Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester.
Is it open on Mondays?
Aerospace Bristol is open daily, apart from three days over Christmas. It sometimes closes for private events. Weekdays are quieter, so this is a good bet if you suddenly realised a teacher training day is coming up.
More information
For more information, visit the Aerospace Bristol site.
