RAF Museum
Grahame Park Way Colindale, Barnet London NW9 5LL
10am - 5pm daily
Tube: Colindale, SatNav Users: please use postcode NW9 5QW. A small parking charge applies.
2 - 3 hours+
5+
Fully accessible
FREE. Tours cost from £10pp
Based on 42 reviews
We've been here loads of times, but we still enjoy it.
Awesome! My daughter really like the half term knitting activity, but my son didn't enjoy the queues.
Lots of information so you can learn a great deal. If you like the RAF Museum, I'd recommend the Gun Powder Museum.
My daughter and I were very happy and excited with all the half term activities at the museum.
Great! Very interesting for children of all ages and free!!
Going here over half term - can't wait!
Have your say!
Leave your name, age (if under 18), review title, comment, star rating, and a parent or guardian’s email so we can verify permission.
About the RAF Museum
Got kids obsessed with planes, buttons or just making loud “vroom” noises? The RAF Museum in Hendon is a brilliant, free family day out that ticks all the boxes – and then some. It’s enormous, packed with real aircraft you can get right up close to (and sometimes inside), plus flight simulators, dress-up areas, and interactive exhibits across several giant hangars.
Toddlers will love the open spaces and hands-on play zones, while older kids and teens will geek out over Cold War jets, cockpit tech and the heroic stories behind the machines. It’s all fully accessible, with flat paths for buggies and wheelchairs, plus sensory backpacks and visual guides for neurodiverse visitors.
Hungry? Head to the café for kids’ meals and hot lunches – or bring a picnic to eat beside a fighter plane. Grandparents can soak up the history (and maybe share a few aviation memories of their own), and the gift shop is an absolute belter. Aviation teddies, chocolate medals and build-your-own planes? Yes please.
Top tip from the KidRated Team:
Don’t miss Hangar 1 first – it’s got a hands-on gallery perfect for younger kids, plus a life-size Lancaster bomber that’s seriously wow-worthy. And if you’ve got time, book a go on the Red Arrows simulator – it’s the closest most of us will get to flying a jet!
Yes, absolutely. It’s packed with real planes, hands-on exhibits, flight simulators and dressing-up zones. Perfect for kids who love to press buttons, explore, and imagine take-off.
It works for all ages, but ages 5+ will get the most out of it. Toddlers love the big planes, and older kids can appreciate the stories, tech and interactive zones.
Flight simulators, Cold War exhibits, mission briefings and aviation tech, plus loads of photo ops. It’s great for STEM-loving teens and anyone with an eye on the skies.
Some, yes. Look out for cockpits you can climb into. Staff are on hand to guide you, just check the signs before hopping aboard.
It’s mostly self-guided, but QR codes and interactive screens add extra layers. Occasional tours run during holidays and themed weekends.
Yes, the café has hot meals, snacks and kids’ options. Or bring a packed lunch and picnic beside the planes. Epic setting guaranteed.
Yes, the museum is flat and buggy/wheelchair-friendly with lifts, accessible toilets, and quiet spaces. Sensory backpacks and visual stories are available too.
Very. It’s spacious, fascinating and full of history, without being heavy. Most grandparents will love the nostalgia, tech and chance to share stories from their own childhoods.
Give yourself at least 2–3 hours, but it can easily stretch to a full day if you’re taking your time and fuelling up with café stops.
Nope, general entry is free! Some experiences like simulators or special events may cost extra, but you can easily spend a full day there without paying a penny.
You may also like
Imperial War Museum
If your kids love tanks, planes and proper jaw-dropping stories, head to the Imperial War Museum London. Just off Lambeth...
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
SEA LIFE London is like stepping into a watery wonderland, right in the middle of the South Bank. From walk-through...
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is not just for adult music lovers – it’s one of London’s most magical spots for...
Sixes Social Cricket
Sixes Social Cricket is where sporty chaos meets cracking burgers – and it’s brilliant for families looking for something a...
Madame Tussauds London
If your kids love pop culture, selfies and a bit of drama, Madame Tussauds is a solid hit. This world-famous...
Spent an hour on the Tube to get there, only to be told U16's weren't allowed in unaccompanied. Says this nowhere on the website. Staff also rude when asked why.