Spend special time at Stow with a programme of Summer family activities

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Whether your family loves history, wildlife, aircraft, or just getting out and about together, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, the largest surviving World War One aerodrome in the world, has plenty to offer this summer.

For families who like to explore the past, on Saturday and Sunday 19 and 20 July we have a multi-period Living History Weekend that will see the grounds of the Museum transformed with the sights, sounds and smells of some of the most fascinating periods of English history. Living historians will faithfully represent life through the ages, from the Early Medieval days right through to World War Two - the crash of sword on sword will mingle with the rattle of rifle fire!

Then, on Saturday 26 July, we have a repeat of our popular Evacuees! day, when young visitors can enter into an immersive experience about life during World War 2. The event must be pre-booked and young “evacuees” must be on site at 9.45am (with an accompanying adult) ready for a day of air raid drills, making a gas mask box, packing a suitcase ready to be evacuated and much more. With tickets just £5 for accompanying adults, with up to two evacuees free, it offers a fantastic value family activity at the start of the summer holidays!

The historical action continues on Saturday and Sunday 30 and 31 August with Back to the WW2 Farm, with living historians explaining the Aerodrome’s World War Two role as a working farm. We will have historic vehicles, vintage tractors and, weather permitting, a flypast from a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

For families who enjoy the great outdoors, the self-guided wildlife walk at the accredited Museum is always open to paying visitors, but during our Family Wildlife Days you have a special chance to go behind the scenes to see areas of the site where the public can’t usually wander, and the wildlife is undisturbed. Take a tour with one of our expert guides to find out more about the butterflies, birds, reptiles and mammals that make their home at Stow. The next Family Wildlife Days are on Sunday 27 July and Saturday 16 August.

The highlight of our summer calendar is The Stow Maries Air Show on Saturday 23 August – and we have invited an amazing line-up of historic aircraft to take to the skies. Where else could you see a World War 2 Spitfire in desert camouflage, the last remaining airworthy World War One DH.9 bomber in existence and nine Tiger Moths flying in formation, all on the same programme?

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: “We have a very exciting summer ahead, with special events and family activities on top of our regular opening days. We look forward to welcoming families to enjoy a day out at our unique site.”

In addition to all the special events and activities, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackman’s Lane, Purleigh CM3 6RN will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, throughout the summer, with fascinating exhibition halls, historic aircraft, interactive flight simulators, pedal planes and more, to keep every member of the family happy. The Airmen’s Mess café provides delicious food and drink and there’s a well-stocked gift shop.