Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington
- Michael Palmer
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington – Aviation History and a Great Family Day Out
The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, is a fascinating attraction for anyone interested in aircraft, aviation or Yorkshire's wartime history.
Located on the former RAF Elvington airfield, the museum combines a large collection of aircraft and vehicles with historic buildings, exhibitions, memorials and stories from the people who served here.
It is also a family-friendly attraction, with an aircraft-themed playground, woodland walk, picnic areas, Café 77 and plenty of space to explore.
We recently visited the museum with our 10-year-old grandson Ally, who has a real interest in aircraft. For him, being able to see the aircraft close up and get inside some of them was a major part of the visit.
For visitors looking for things to do near York, the museum works well as a morning or afternoon attraction, although there is enough to see to make a longer visit possible.
Yorkshire Air Museum – At a Glance
Visitor information | Details |
Location | Elvington, near York |
Address | Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU |
Opening | 10am–5pm, 7 days a week |
Last admission | 4pm |
What we paid | £40 online for two adults and one child |
Current adult admission | £17 online / £18 at the gate |
Current child admission | £7 online / £8 at the gate |
Current family ticket | £44 online / £48 at the gate |
Under 4s | Free |
Carers | Free |
Parking | Free |
Café | Café 77 |
Picnic areas | Yes |
Playground | Yes |
Woodland walk | Yes |
Family activities | Yes |
Dogs | Welcome on leads |
Accessible facilities | Yes |
Wheelchair hire | Available |
Re-entry | Standard admission allows free re-entry for 12 months, excluding some special event days |
The museum is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. Online tickets are cheaper than paying at the gate. (Yorkshire Air Museum)
Prices can change, so check the official Yorkshire Air Museum visitor information before travelling.
For more ideas for places to visit, explore The White Shire's Yorkshire Attractions guide.
Where Is the Yorkshire Air Museum?
The Yorkshire Air Museum is at Elvington, approximately 10 miles south-east of York.
The address is:
Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU
The museum is located on the former RAF Elvington airfield, which is an important part of the attraction's history.
Visiting with Children
The Yorkshire Air Museum has plenty to offer families.
There is an aircraft-themed playground, picnic areas, a woodland walk and large areas of outdoor space.
During school holidays and special events, additional activities can take place, including children's craft sessions and other hands-on activities.
For children who are interested in aircraft, being able to see large aircraft at close quarters is likely to be one of the main attractions.
For more ideas for family days out, explore Yorkshire Attractions.
Taking Ally to the Yorkshire Air Museum
Our recent visit included our 10-year-old grandson Ally, who already has a genuine interest in aircraft.
That made Elvington particularly interesting for him because there was plenty to discover without needing to persuade him to become interested in aviation.
One of the things that stood out was being able to get inside some of the aircraft.
Climbing aboard an aircraft gives you a very different perspective from simply looking at one from the outside.
You can see the crew positions, controls and interior spaces and get a much better idea of what it would have been like to operate or travel in these aircraft.
Ally's Favourite – the Dakota
The Dakota was one of the aircraft Ally was particularly interested in, so being able to explore one was a highlight of the visit.
The museum holds Open Cockpit events, during which visitors can climb inside a selection of aircraft.
Aircraft involved in these events can include the Dakota, Jaguar, Tucano, Tornado, Buccaneer, Devon, Dragonfly, Harrier and Nimrod.
Open Cockpit access carries an additional charge, so if getting inside the aircraft is an important part of your visit, check the museum's events programme before travelling.
The Halifax Bomber
One of the most impressive aircraft at Elvington is the Handley Page Halifax.
The museum's Halifax is the famous "Friday the 13th", representing Halifax LV907.
The original LV907 completed 128 operations during the Second World War and survived the conflict.
Standing beside a four-engined Halifax also gives visitors an appreciation of just how large these aircraft were.
The museum's current programme is also marking the 30th anniversary of the Halifax being rolled out to the public following its 13-year restoration and rebuild. (Yorkshire Air Museum)
RAF Elvington and Yorkshire's Wartime History
The location of the museum adds considerably to the experience.
RAF Elvington was rebuilt in 1942, with three concrete runways constructed for heavy bombers.
In October 1942, 77 Squadron arrived at Elvington with Handley Page Halifax bombers.
The squadron remained at the airfield until May 1944.
During that period, almost 80 Halifaxes were lost and more than 500 aircrew lost their lives.
Walking around the museum today, it can be difficult to imagine the same airfield operating during the Second World War.
The aircraft, exhibitions and memorials help provide an insight into the people who served here and the dangers faced by bomber crews.
The French Connection
RAF Elvington also has an important French connection.
After 77 Squadron moved on, the airfield became home to the French 346 Guyenne and 347 Tunisie Squadrons.
These Free French squadrons also operated Halifax bombers from Elvington during the Second World War.
The French connection is an interesting part of the site's history and adds another dimension to the story of RAF Elvington.
More Than Just Aircraft
Although aircraft are obviously the main attraction, there is considerably more to explore.
The museum's collection covers different periods of aviation history, from early aircraft through to the Second World War and Cold War periods.
There are also vehicles, historic buildings, exhibitions and memorials.
The collection includes aircraft such as the Halifax, Dakota, Spitfire, WACO glider, Meteor, Vampire and a range of Cold War aircraft.
For aircraft enthusiasts, the variety of exhibits means there is plenty to look at.
For visitors more interested in history, the stories behind the aircraft and the people who operated them provide another reason to explore the site.
Café 77
Café 77 is located within the museum and provides somewhere to stop for something to eat or drink during your visit.
The café offers coffee, lighter refreshments, lunch and afternoon tea.
Visitors can also bring their own food and use the picnic areas around the museum.
Having food and drink available on site makes it easier for families to spend several hours exploring without needing to leave the attraction.
Family Facilities
The Yorkshire Air Museum has several features aimed at families.
These include:
Aircraft-themed playground
Family picnic areas
Woodland walk
Large outdoor areas
Children's activities during selected events
Café
Accessible facilities
Aircraft that children can explore during special Open Cockpit events
The playground gives younger children somewhere to play while adults take a break.
Dogs at the Yorkshire Air Museum
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Yorkshire Air Museum provided they are kept on leads.
Dogs are welcome across most of the site, including Café 77 and the shop.
This makes the museum an option for visitors who want to include the whole family, including the dog, in their day out.
Parking at the Yorkshire Air Museum
There is ample free parking at the museum.
Easy-access parking spaces are also available.
The large site and on-site parking make arriving by car relatively straightforward.
Accessibility
The museum states that around 90% of the site is accessible.
There are ramps, accessible toilets and easy-access parking spaces.
Wheelchairs are available to borrow from Admissions.
Because the museum occupies a large historic site, visitors with specific access requirements may wish to contact the museum before visiting.
Opening Times and Admission
The Yorkshire Air Museum is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm.
Last admission is at 4pm.
The museum is open throughout the year except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Current published standard admission prices are:
Adult: £17 online / £18 at the gate
Child aged 4–17: £7 online / £8 at the gate
Child under 4: Free
Student or military veteran: £13 online / £14 at the gate
Carer: Free
Family ticket for two adults and two children: £44 online / £48 at the gate
The museum recommends booking online because online tickets are cheaper and can save time on arrival.
What We Paid
On our visit, we booked online and paid £40 for two adults and one child.
That's useful to mention because it gives a genuine indication of what a family visit cost us, rather than simply quoting the current standard ticket prices.
Prices can change, so the current online prices should always be checked before visiting.
Free Re-Entry for 12 Months
One particularly useful feature of standard admission is the museum's 12-month re-entry arrangement.
Standard tickets allow free re-entry for 12 months, apart from some special event days.
This means you don't necessarily have to see everything during one visit.
If you live reasonably close, you could return for another visit or come back for a special event.
Events at the Yorkshire Air Museum
The museum holds events throughout the year.
These can include Open Cockpit days, military vehicle events, aviation displays, re-enactment activities and family events.
The current 2026 programme includes Operation Halifax, which is marking 30 years since the museum's Halifax was rolled out to the public following its restoration.
There is also a Military Vehicle Show scheduled for 30 August 2026, which is a normal admission day rather than a separate ticketed event.
Check the museum's events programme before planning a visit.
The White Shire's What's On in Yorkshire guide is also a useful place to look for other events and family activities.
How Long Do You Need at the Yorkshire Air Museum?
A morning or afternoon can give you enough time to see a substantial amount of the museum.
There is plenty to look at, however, and visitors who want to explore the aircraft, exhibitions, historic buildings and woodland walk in more detail could easily spend longer.
Families with younger children may also want to allow additional time for the playground and picnic areas.
The 12-month re-entry arrangement also means there is no need to try to see everything during one visit.
Is the Yorkshire Air Museum Suitable for Families?
The Yorkshire Air Museum offers something for a range of ages.
Older children and adults interested in aviation can explore the aircraft and historical displays, while younger children have the playground, woodland walk and outdoor space.
Special events can also provide additional activities.
For a family with an interest in aircraft, there is plenty to discover, while the café, picnic areas and accessible facilities make it practical for a longer visit.
Why Visit the Yorkshire Air Museum?
The Yorkshire Air Museum offers more than the opportunity to see historic aircraft.
The fact that it is located on the former RAF Elvington airfield adds considerable historical significance, allowing visitors to explore the location as well as the collection.
The aircraft, wartime stories, memorials and historic buildings provide an insight into the people who served here, while the family facilities make the attraction accessible to visitors who may not initially consider themselves aviation enthusiasts.
For children interested in aircraft, the opportunity to get close to the exhibits and take part in special cockpit events can make the visit particularly interesting.
Yorkshire Air Museum – Quick Facts
Location: Elvington, near York
Address: Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU
Type: Aviation museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial
Opening: 10am–5pm, seven days a week
Last admission: 4pm
What we paid: £40 online for two adults and one child
Current adult admission: £17 online / £18 gate
Current child admission: £7 online / £8 gate
Current family ticket: £44 online / £48 gate
Under 4s: Free
Parking: Free
Café: Café 77
Picnic areas: Yes
Playground: Yes
Woodland walk: Yes
Family activities: Yes
Dogs: Welcome on leads
Accessible toilets: Yes
Wheelchairs: Available to borrow
Re-entry: Free for 12 months with standard admission, excluding some special event days
Discover More Yorkshire Attractions
The Yorkshire Air Museum is one of many attractions that make Yorkshire such an interesting county to explore.
From aviation museums and historic sites to castles, family attractions, gardens and unusual places to visit, The White Shire is building a growing resource for discovering the county.
Explore more Yorkshire Attractions or find something happening through our What's On in Yorkshire guide.
The White Shire is building a resource for discovering Yorkshire's attractions, walks, history, events, businesses and places to visit.
Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington
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