Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum

I had the pleasure of visiting the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum this morning, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The museum boasts a diverse collection of aircraft and aviation parts, complemented by a variety of other intriguing exhibits. As a history enthusiast, I found the accompanying stories to be quite engaging, and there were some exceptionally rare aircraft that truly piqued my interest.

What's even more impressive is that the entire place is managed by dedicated volunteers, and their courtesy and passion for the museum shine through. It's crucial to treat them and the exhibits with the utmost respect.

For those with limited mobility, this museum is a breeze to navigate, with no need for climbing steps. It's wonderfully accessible.

In summary, my visit to the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum was nothing short of amazing. It's a fantastic destination for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike, offering a memorable day out that I highly recommend.

Amazing aviation museum. Well worth a visit. Free parking and free entry. Just donate what you want. Excellent exhibits. Nicely laid out. Interesting wartime items inside. All sorts of aircraft and helicopters, autogyros and vehicles. Very welcoming and pleasant surroundings.

A excellent aviation museum from original vintage aircraft & detail models of all sizes.
With details history of different RAF squadrons spread around site showing uniforms,badges photograph's.
Also some aircaft can be sit with some great paintings & photographs with much much more to take in 👍i can highly recommend a visit

I took my 5 year old son along today, spur of the moment and had a very nice afternoon.
We paid for a pass to be shown inside some of the aircraft by a very knowledgable guide who was great with the kids. My son really enjoyed his visit and loved getting to go inside some of the aircraft.
An obviously dedicated group of volunteers and an interesting place to spend the afternoon and spark the interest of children, I would highly recommend!

what a wonderful place, really enjoyed our morning wandering around the museum, so much more to see than I had anticipated, and such friendly volunteers. All for the price of a voluntary donation.

This place is just amazing! There is a wide wide variety of exhibits, whether you have a deep interest or just a passi g curiosity about aviation then this place is a must.
Really interesting staff, plus it's free!
Definitely worth a visit.

Fantastic museum, millions of things to see.
Can't believe in this day and age it's free to visit, they rely on donations.
Many thanks to Brian for allowing my uncle and myself to get up close to the Avro Anson (a plane my grandad did his training on while in Canada during world war 2)
I just wish I lived closer

A lovely little museum with plenty to see and much to learn. The very fact that it's donations only, is a rarity and I am so glad that they're still operating. I enjoy myself each and every visit.

Excellent place to visit. We were there for a couple of hours and loved every minute. So interesting all the collected memorabilia and seeing the planes was amazing.

Great place run by volunteers. Free to enter. Learnt about the Royal Observer Corp. We found this place by pure chance, by the side of the road. Highly recommended, what a gem. Will definitely go back.

No tickets, this is a free museum to enter that takes donations. The Suffolk Aviation Heritage Museum in Ipswich, Suffolk, features a diverse collection of aircraft, engines, and aviation artifacts. The museum's exhibits includes vintage aircrafts, both military and civilian, showcasing the evolution of aviation technology. You can see displays on the history of aviation in the Suffolk region, along with informative exhibits about the individuals and innovations that contributed to aviation's development. Additionally, the museum has interactive displays, models, and educational materials to enhance your understanding of aviation history. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about the museum's exhibits, it's best to refer to their official website or contact them directly, other than that, this place is amazing and the children loved it.
In addition to access to the museum's displays and artifacts, a £15 family ticket also grants you the opportunity to enter some of the aircrafts on display. This is an exciting experience, especially for children and aviation enthusiasts, as it allows you to get up and close to the historic aircrafts and learn about their design, history, and significance from the knowledgeable guides. I would recommend this place to anyone, it had a little café, that offers tea, biscuits and a few cakes and snacks.

Brilliant place to visit, so much to see. You can easily spend several hours here. Donation only but worth giving them whatever you can afford. Volunteers are fantastic.

Great museum to visit, lots to see and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend visiting the Norfolk and Suffolk aviation museum 👍

Didn't know what to expect but was blown away by the amount of planes and other historical items. Free to enter but worthy of a generous donation.

Very good collection of artefacts from military, naval, and aviation history. It's a lot bigger than it looks, so allow a good amount of time to appreciate it properly. Very good setup and well run, hats off to all the volunteers. I feel it's important to preserve history and historic items to tell the story of the past, and these guys have certainly done a very good job, so donations are key to their success, no matter how small. Well worth a visit, with different items on display to other aviation museums.

I have looked forward to visiting this museum since reading about it last year.

On entering the Museum you are welcomed by the huge selection of outside exhibits of superbly preserved Aircraft, that look like they could be brought to life and Flown. These show a great cross section of the History of the Jet in military service, the MIG 15 Bis, Super SABRE, Gloucester Javelin, the first delta wing RAF Interceptor, Dassault MYSTERE. There are too many stars of Military Aviation to list, you need to have the experience as just the external display takes time to walk around and enjoy. My personal favourites were the Vickers Valleta and the Bristol Bloodhound Missile and Control unit.

The displays in the Museum display hangers was breath taking as you are welcomed by the Sea Harrier and English Electric Lightning. Even with my growing up on RAF Stations, the selection of Aircraft that I had never seen outside of books and magazines was amazing. There are Cockpit sections that can be sat in, with very knowledgeable staff (all volunteers, experienced with the aircraft)

For those who enjoy the historical side of Aviation or Military Modellers there are cabinets full of artifacts from the dark days of World War Two, many from recovered crashes, both mechanical with clear identification and models of the aircraft types, to those of a more personal nature bringing the cost of those that fought and sadly died in the conflict who deserve to be remembered. Some of these people are identified with a photograph and service history, reminding us that War is cruel, both to the servicemen, but also their families.
There was so much to see that I found that the time I allowed for this visit was too short as time seemed to fly (no pun intended) and I had to just quickly look through the the Wing Commander Ken Wallace Hall, treating many exhibits as a Reconnaissance for all day and better planned visit(s) as I am fortunate to only have under an hours travel.

The NAAFI, offers a wide selection of beverages and snacks and does NOT as at many attractions you visit, have vastly Inflated prices. It is immaculately clean and offers plenty of seating and tables, all undercover, with a nearby second hand bookstall.

However as you walk around outside you find that there are other satellite exhibitions, The Sea Shall Not Have Them, RAF Air Sea Rescue with superb displays of this important role played by RAF Coastal Command.

Across from this is a Bomber Command exhibition which played such an important role in preparing the ground at enormous cost in lives, preparing the way for the subsequent 'D' Day Invasion and eventual Victory against the Third Reich.

The Royal Observer Corps Museum brings us up to date from their reporting of enemy aerial attacks by German bomber Forces to the Nightmare that never happened of Nuclear War.

There is a museum remembering the 108th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Force. This remembers and commemorates those brave Allies that joined us and suffered so many losses of young men in beating the Third Reich in freeing Europe from tyranny, whilst fighting in the Pacific along with the Allies of so many nations.

I would highly recommend at least one visit as this museum is run and staffed by so many dedicated volunteers, who are there to help their visitors.

A lot to see with more being added all the time. No admission charge but you can donate via cash or card. Lovely people, very friendly and informative.

A great museum run by volunteers. Some really interesting exhibits into the history of the place and aviation in general. The aircraft are well kept, but please realise this isn't an active airfield, it's a museum. The aircraft are static and aren't flown (No IWM). There is ample parking on site (don't park in the pub car park, there really is no need). The staff are friendly, helpful and there is a shop and cafe on site, plus toilets. Entry is free (though do leave a donation), It's certainly worth an hour or two of your time to visit here.

Enjoyed a couple of hours here, could have spent more time. Photos show some of the aircraft types that I have worked on.

Brilliant place to pass a few hours.some good planes there and other bits .on site cafe also. Supported by donations. A must for any family