Take off this summer with free kids’ entry at Aerospace Bristol

This summer, families can let their imaginations take flight as Aerospace Bristol launches an ambitious drive to inspire young minds and reach more young visitors than ever before with a new summer ‘kids go free’ initiative.

Hoping to welcome 40,000 young visitors this year, Aerospace Bristol is inviting families to set off on a budget-friendly flight through aviation history, packed with hands-on activities designed to ignite imaginations and keep kids entertained all summer.

From 1 August, visitors will be able to explore a new landmark display of 70 historic Rolls-Royce engines in Hangar 16R: Home of the Rolls-Royce Aerospace Collection.

Some of the other highlights this summer include:

• Meeting Beagle 3, the extra-terrestrial Gromit, as part of the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail. Beagle 3 will be in the museum’s new café, Flightline Kitchen + Bar until 31 August.
• Taking a ride on a vintage bus on 9^th August, in celebration of 150 years of Bristol trams and buses.
• Commemorating the 80^th anniversary of VJ Day - the end of WWII - on 15^th August with talks, special Filton Blitz Experience sessions, and the chance to get up-close to the Bristol Bolingbroke aeroplane restoration project. 

And on offer all year round, visitors can also explore what life was like in early aircraft factories, go back to the drawing board to design an aeroplane by hand, control a real Airbus A320 wing, and step into character as an early fighter pilot - dressing up for photos in front of stunningly recreated WWI biplanes.

For a truly immersive experience, more daring visitors can take to the skies in the Red Arrows Experience simulator ride¹ or try the Filton Blitz Experience², where a soundscape of air raid sirens and bomber aircraft reverberates around a real WWII air raid shelter.    

School children at Aerospace Bristol

Sally Cordwell, CEO of Aerospace Bristol, said: “We’re passionate about sharing the incredible story of aerospace in Bristol with the next generation and through our kids go free initiative, we want to reach even more young people and help imaginations take flight.

“By opening the doors to our activities, experiences and four hangars filled with thousands of exhibits, we hope to open minds to the wonder of aerospace and engineering.”

This summer, children under 16 can also travel for free by bus and visit Aerospace Bristol sustainably on a variety of routes.