Finding a genuinely cheap day out that keeps everyone entertained is getting tougher, but this aviation archive about Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum absolutely nails it. Everyone loves the free aviation flight simulators!
We spent a fantastic weekend tracking down one of Hampshire’s best-kept aviation secrets, where you can literally fly historic aircraft without spending a penny.
1. Quick Snapshot
- Location: 📍Trenchard House, 85 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6TF
- Best for: Aviation geeks, curious kids, and rainy-day budget explorers
- Duration: Half-day (around 2–3 hours is perfect)
- Budget: £ (Unbelievably cheap)
- Great in: All year round, as the main interactive hangers are completely covered
2. Introduction to Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
Farnborough is world-famous for its massive aerospace history, but you don’t need to wait for the expensive airshow to get up close to the action.
We loaded up the car to visit the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) Museum, an entirely volunteer-run venue dedicated to the Royal Aircraft Establishment.
What completely blew us away was that this place offers full flight simulator experiences without charging commercial high-street prices.
You get to sit in real cockpits, learn from engineers who actually worked on these machines, and save a massive chunk of cash compared to traditional city museums.
3. How to Get to Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
- By Car (Our Preferred Route): We hopped onto the M3, took Junction 4, and simply followed the A325 straight toward the historic airfield gates.The museum has its own dedicated, free on-site car park which completely eliminates the usual city-centre parking stress and hidden fees.
- By Train: If you prefer the rails, catch a fast direct service from London Waterloo straight down to Farnborough Main station.
Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train TicketsFrom there, it’s a quick five-minute taxi ride or a straightforward, brisk 20-minute walk down the main road to the museum gates. - By Bus or Local Transport: Stagecoach Route 1 runs directly past the museum along the A325, connecting Camberley straight down to Aldershot. Don’t forget that local bus journeys are exceptionally cheap right now with the standard national single fare cap held tightly at just £3.
4. Food & Drink
We always recommend packing a high-quality cooler box full of sandwiches and snacks in the boot before setting off on a road trip.
FAST has lovely outdoor picnic areas where you can eat your lunch right next to genuine retired fighter jets without paying high cafe markups.
If you fancy something hot, the volunteer team runs a small coffee shop serving cheap biscuits and warm drinks, or you can drive five minutes into Farnborough town centre for local pubs.
5. Clean & Affordable Activities at Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
Free Interactive Flight Simulators
This is the absolute crown jewel of the entire museum and something we still can’t believe is entirely donation-based.
You can pilot a supersonic Concorde into Heathrow, handle a vertical-takeoff Harrier II, or let younger kids dogfight in a custom Spitfire simulator.
The Fast Jet Outdoor Fleet
Take a self-guided walk around the exterior pad to stand under the wings of massive Cold War legends like the English Electric Lightning.
The sheer size of these interceptors is breathtaking, and you can take as many dramatic family photos as you like without any photography fees.
The Cody Flyer & Historic Archive
Step inside the main pavilion to see a massive, full-scale replica of the iconic 1908 Cody Flyer, the first plane to achieve powered flight in Great Britain.
The walls are packed with real space race satellites, vintage jet engines, and experimental flight gear designed right on this very spot.
6. Costs & Budget Breakdown (estimate for guidance)
| Expense Category | The Driving Option (Our Usual Route) | The Public Transport Option |
| Transport | £12 (Fuel from home) | £24 (Off-peak train tickets) |
| Parking/Bus | £0 (Free on-site car park) | £6 (Local return bus fare) |
| Food & Drink | £8 (Homemade picnic selection) | £18 (High street cafe lunch) |
| Activities | £10 (Recommended museum donation) | £10 (Recommended museum donation) |
| Total Cost | £30 | £58 |
7. When to Visit Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
Summer is fantastic for roaming the outdoor jet park, though you’ll want to arrive exactly at 10 am to guarantee a simulator slot before the afternoon rush.
Autumn and Spring bring beautiful, crisp driving weather and far fewer crowds, meaning you can often spend double the time chatting with the expert engineers.
Winter is a top-tier choice for saving cash because the indoor display halls and flight decks are fully covered, making it a perfect rainy-day escape.
8. Local Tips & Insider Notes
- Opening Hours: The main public museum is strictly open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Simulator Availability: Because the simulators are entirely run by volunteers, slots are first-come, first-served and run for about 15 minutes per turn.
- Dog Rules: Excellent news for pet owners—well-behaved dogs are allowed on leads throughout the site, which is a rare find for a tech museum.
- Hidden Traps: Wind tunnel tours are completely separate from general admission, cost £25, and must be booked months in advance via their website.
- Stay: If you are planning an extended stay in the beautiful Surrey area, check out Booking.com for the best local accommodation deals.
9. Your Route at a Glance
- 10:00 AM – Arrive at Trenchard House and claim your free parking space.
- 10:15 AM – Head straight to Hall 2 to log your name for the Harrier or Concorde flight simulators.
- 11:30 AM – Explore the indoor space research, jet engine bays, and the magnificent Cody Flyer replica.
- 12:45 PM – Enjoy a cheap lunch at the outdoor picnic benches right beneath a Cold War fighter jet.
- 1:30 PM – Walk the outdoor aircraft park to see the real Hawker Hunter and supersonic Lightning up close.
- 3:00 PM – Browse the historic book selection in the gift shop before taking the scenic driving route home.
10. Conclusion
If you want to experience the thrill of flying without the luxury price tag, the FAST Museum is an absolute must-visit.
It keeps your travel costs exceptionally low while offering hands-on experiences that major national museums charge an absolute fortune for.
Have you ever tried landing a supersonic aircraft in a simulator? Let us know how many times you crashed in the comments below!
Not into museum in this weekend, but want some splash fun? Just 22 mins drive away you can enjoy swimming in an Olympic-sized heated outdoor pool at Guildford Lido with thrilling water slides. Check it out in our useful guide here: Guildford Lido Guide: Budget-Friendly Summer Day Trip
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Is entry to the FAST Museum completely free?
Yes, general admission to the main museum displays and the flight simulators is completely free, though they are a registered charity and highly appreciate a small card or cash donation to keep the simulators running.
Can anyone use the flight simulators at Farnborough?
Absolutely, the simulators are designed for all ages and skill levels, including a specialized Spitfire simulator for younger children and a newly upgraded Harrier cockpit that features full wheelchair and mobility access.
Is the museum open during the week?
No, the museum is only open to the general public on weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays, though organized adult tour groups can book private weekday visits in advance for Tuesdays or Thursdays.
What are the other activities in the area?
Just 8 mins drive away, there is a miniature railway at the lovely Frimley Lodge Park, where you can pay a small price for a 10 minutes miniature railway ride. Miniature railway | Surrey Heath Borough Council
The popular and well-run Guildford lido is also nearby if you fancy some water fun: Guildford Lido Guide: Budget-Friendly Summer Day Trip
