Photo Credit - Roland Turner
The Fleet Air Arm Museum, located in Yeovilton, Somerset, is one of Europe’s leading aviation museums and the largest dedicated to naval aviation in the United Kingdom. Part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the museum offers a captivating journey through more than a century of British naval aviation history, bringing to life the stories of aircraft, aircraft carriers, and the people who flew and maintained them.
Home to over 100 aircraft and thousands of historic artifacts, the museum spans four large exhibition halls and offers an immersive experience that appeals to all ages. One of the museum’s standout attractions is the full-size replica of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal’s flight deck, complete with dramatic lighting, sound effects, and real aircraft positioned as if in mid-operation. Visitors can explore iconic British aircraft such as the Sea Harrier, Swordfish, and Phantom, as well as international examples like the American F-4K and the unique Concorde 002—one of only two pre-production Concordes ever built.
The museum doesn’t just showcase machines—it tells the human stories behind naval aviation, from the pioneering pilots of World War I to the complex carrier operations of the modern Royal Navy. Interactive displays, flight simulators, and short films provide a deeper understanding of life at sea and in the skies.
Located adjacent to RNAS Yeovilton, one of the Royal Navy’s busiest air stations, the museum also offers the chance to see modern naval aircraft in action during certain times of the year.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, aviation buff, or family seeking an inspiring and educational day out, the Fleet Air Arm Museum delivers a rich and engaging experience that honors the legacy and ongoing evolution of naval air power.
DISCLAIMER: The information below is believed to be correct, however please check the museum website prior to visiting.
Website
www.fleetairarm.com
Location
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton
Ilchester
Somerset
BA22 8HT
United Kingdom
Opening Hours
Open daily: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Last entry: 3:30 PM
Closed on 24–26 December and occasionally for special events or maintenance
Admission Prices
Adults: £17.00
Children (5–15 years): £13.00
Under 5s: Free
Family tickets and concessions available
Tickets are valid for 12 months of unlimited return visits
Getting There
By Car: Located off the A303, with free on-site parking available
By Train: Nearest stations are Yeovil Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction (a taxi or bus ride is required from either)
By Bus: Local buses from Yeovil and surrounding areas serve Ilchester and nearby stops
Facilities
Free parking including disabled spaces
On-site café serving hot meals, snacks, and drinks
Gift shop with aviation-themed merchandise
Accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities
Wheelchair access throughout most areas of the museum
Interactive displays and flight simulators
Indoor and outdoor picnic areas
Group visit services and guided tours available by arrangement
Hall 1: Early Naval Aviation
This hall focuses on the pioneers of naval flight, featuring early aircraft and seaplanes:
Short S.27 (Replica)
Sopwith Pup (Replica)
Supermarine Walrus
Fairey Flycatcher (Replica)
BAe Sea Harrier
Westland Dragonfly
Westland Whirlwind HAR.3
Westland Lynx
Westland Sea King
Hall 2: World War II and the Korean War
Dedicated to aircraft from the Second World War and the Korean War, this hall includes:
Fairey Albacore
Fairey Fulmar
North American Harvard (T-6 Texan)
Grumman Hellcat
Grumman Avenger
Supermarine Seafire F.17
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11
Vought F4U Corsair
Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka II
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Hall 3: Aircraft Carrier Experience
This immersive exhibit replicates the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal, showcasing:
Fairey Gannet AEW.3
Fairey Gannet COD.4
Vickers Supermarine Scimitar F.1
Vickers Supermarine Attacker F.1
de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2
de Havilland Sea Vampire
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom FG.1
Hawker Sea Hawk
Blackburn Buccaneer S.1
Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B
Westland Wessex HU.5
Hall 4: Modern Aviation and Prototypes
Focusing on experimental and modern aircraft, this hall features:
BAC Concorde 002 (Prototype)
Hawker P.1127
Hawker Hunter T.8M
Bristol Scout D
de Havilland Vampire T.22
Westland Wyvern TF.1
Handley Page HP.115
BAC 221
BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1
DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the information on this website is not guaranteed to be correct, please check the museum website prior to visiting.
© 2025 UK Aviation Museum Guide
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information.