Plan Your Visit to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

Visit the UK’s Best-Preserved World War One Aerodrome

Step back in time and discover one of Britain’s most remarkable heritage sites. Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, set in the peaceful Essex countryside near Maldon and Chelmsford, is the largest surviving World War One aerodrome in Europe. Built in 1916 for the Royal Flying Corps, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore original buildings, fascinating exhibitions and the stories of the men and women who served here during the Great War.

Whether you’re passionate about aviation, interested in history, planning a family day out, or simply looking for somewhere different to visit in Essex, you’ll find plenty to enjoy at Stow Maries.

At a glance:

• Largest surviving WW1 aerodrome in Europe

• A 93-acre site with 24 Grade II* listed buildings

• Originally built in 1916 for the Royal Flying Corps

• Accredited Museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions

• Guided tours and special events

• Fresh homemade food at The Airmen’s Mess café

• Family friendly, wheelchair and pushchair accessible

• Well-behaved dogs welcome

• Great shop with models, gifts and souvenirs

• Woodland nature trail

• Free parking.

 

Opening Days and Times

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is normally open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-February to early December (last entry at 3pm). The Airman's Mess café closes at 3.30pm. We do not open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

There may be occasional closures for filming and private events, and entry fees vary on special event days.

The final opening day for 2026 is Sunday 6 December. We reopen on Friday 15 February 2027.

Before you travel, please check our latest opening information and Events Calendar.

In 2026, we are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC on Friday 4 September. (We have a guest hiring the entire site that day.)

To find your way to us, please check Directions by Road.

 

Admission prices

Your admission helps preserve this nationally important heritage site and enables ongoing conservation of our historic buildings and collections.

2026 Standard Ticket Prices (valid on regular opening days and at added value events):

• Adults (16 ): £12

• Children 0-10 FREE

• Juniors 11-15: £9

• Over 65: £9

• Carers (one adult accompanying a reliant fee-paying disabled visitor): FREE

• Serving members of His Majesty's Armed Forces and one guest: FREE (non-event days only, ID card must be shown).

• Propellor Club members (https://www.stowmaries.org.uk/about/propeller-club): FREE

• Visits to The Airmen’s Mess café and shop only: FREE (on non-event days).

Please note that admission prices vary for major events and some can only be booked in advance. See individual events for full details.

 

How to get to Stow Maries Geat War Aerodrome

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is located in rural Essex between Maldon, Chelmsford, South Woodham Ferrers and Burnham-on-Crouch.

The aerodrome is easy to reach by car and offers free on-site parking for visitors.

If you are travelling by public transport, the nearest railway station is South Woodham Ferrers. You are advised to book a taxi in advance as there is no bus service.

To find your way to us by car, please see Directions by Road.

If you are in a coach or larger vehicle, please see Directions for coaches/large vehicles. 
Please note that vehicles of 7.5tn or greater must use the Crows Lane entrance. They are not legally permitted to enter via Hackman's Lane.

If you are arriving by air you must obtain PPR, please see Arriving by air.

 

What to Expect During Your Visit

A typical visit lasts between three and four hours, although many visitors choose to stay longer to enjoy everything the site has to offer.

During your visit you can:

• Enjoy a guided tour around two hangars of vintage aircraft.
• Explore original World War One buildings dating from 1916-17.
• Discover award-winning museum exhibitions.
• Learn about the Royal Flying Corps and early military aviation.
• Meet knowledgeable volunteers who bring the site’s history to life.
• Enjoy refreshments in The Airmen’s Mess café.
• Browse the museum shop and bookshop.
• Take in the peaceful Essex countryside and its wildlife.
• Try your hand at flying via an interactive cockpit.

No two visits are quite the same, with seasonal exhibitions, living history events, visiting aircraft and wildlife encounters providing something new to discover.

 

Families Welcome

Stow Maries is a great destination for families looking for an educational and enjoyable day out, and our family friendly pricing means that children aged 0-10 are free.

Children can explore the wide-open spaces and wildlife trail, discover fascinating wartime stories, learn about WW1 through varied exhibitions and objects, and have fun in the pedal planes and interactive cockpits. 

Our friendly volunteers are always happy to answer questions and help younger visitors discover more about the site’s unique history.

 

Wildlife at Stow Maries

Stow Maries is much more than a historic aerodrome. The site is also home to a rich variety of wildlife, including butterflies, birds, wildflowers and other species that thrive across our grassland habitats.

Throughout the year we host guided wildlife walks and seasonal nature activities, making Stow Maries a wonderful destination for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers. See our events page for details of forthcoming events.

 

The Airmen’s Mess café

No visit is complete without stopping at the Airmen’s Mess Café. Serving hearty breakfasts, homemade cakes, snacks, freshly prepared and seasonally changing meals, cream teas and drinks, the café is a popular destination in its own right. The latest menu can be found here.

Many ingredients are locally sourced, and on non-event days visitors are welcome whether or not they are exploring the museum.

 

Accessibility

We want as many people as possible to enjoy Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome. Our museum buildings are all single storey and most of the site is linked with flat paths. Push wheelchairs are available on request and there are plenty of benches to take a rest.

Accessible parking and WC facilities are available, and our team is always happy to discuss individual requirements before your visit. A quiet room is available for anyone who needs a peaceful moment.

Please email us at info@stowmaries.org.uk if you have any questions about accessibility.

 

Dog Friendly 

We love our furry friends, here at the museum. Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome throughout the site on normal open days and at most of our special events.

As Stow Maries is also an important wildlife habitat, we ask owners to keep dogs under close control and follow any temporary restrictions that help protect nesting birds and sensitive wildlife. Please pick up after your pooch!

 

Group visits 

If you wish to visit us with more than 10 people at once, we can arrange a group visit including a wide range of catering options if required. Group visits are not possible on major event days but may be possible for minor event days.

Group visits must always be arranged in advance and can be tailored to the needs of your group – our many satisfied customers are happy to recommend us. Email us on info@stowmaries.org.uk to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Do I need to book in advance?

Advance booking is advised for all special events – air events usually sell out in advance. Admission is available on arrival for normal opening days, along with any remaining tickets for events.

How long should I allow for my visit?

Most visitors spend between three and four hours exploring the aerodrome, museum and café.

Is Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome suitable for children?

Yes. Families are very welcome, and children enjoy exploring the exhibitions, open spaces, interactive cockpits and pedal planes. On standard admission days and added value events, children 0-10 are free.

Is there free parking?

Yes. Free parking is available on site.

Can I visit the café or shop free of charge?

Yes – but strictly on non-event days only. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Airmen’s Mess café and shop without paying for museum entry (subject to opening days and times). On arrival ask in the shop for a pink wristband. Free entry does not allow you into any hangars, exhibition areas or the wider site.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on standard opening days and at some events.

Is the site accessible?

Most areas are accessible, although grass surfaces can be uneven. Disabled parking spaces are available on site, and we have a wheelchair accessible WC. Contact us before your visit if you have specific accessibility requirements or would like more advice.

 

Some thoughts from our Group Visitors:

Hi Lorna,

I have just returned from a week away and had been meaning to contact you to thank you and the staff at Stow Maries for a very enjoyable and successful visit. As the organiser of the evening for our club it is aways a great relief when things go so well! I have received many positive comments from our members who thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We were made to feel most welcome from the outset and the communication and booking arrangements were excellent. Your suggested timings for the evening worked perfectly.  I was in Ian’s tour group and was very impressed with his knowledge of the history of the Aerodrome. His amusing and enthusiastic delivery kept our attention throughout. The other group were equally impressed with Suzanne. Rosy's catering was very well received and the quality of food and friendly service could not be faulted. Everyone was impressed with the fact that it was all produced on site and not bought in!

 I am sure that some of our members will make return visits for other events or even just for lunch!

 Please pass on our thanks to the team and volunteers.

 Kind regards

 Iain -   Southend-on-Sea 41 Club - July 2026

 

60 members of the South Woodham Ferrers u3a recently visited Stow Marie’s Great War Aerodrome to celebrate our 20th anniversary with a private visit to the site. What a fantastic day, we could not have chosen a better venue. Our members were treated to a private tour of the site by knowledgeable volunteers, learning about life on the site during WW1. A sumptuous picnic lunch was served in the Mess Hall. From start to finish we could not have asked for a better day. Many thanks to all staff and volunteers.

 Kind Regards

Tracey - South Woodham Ferrers U3A - June 2026

 

Good morning,

Thank you so much for an excellent day yesterday.  The staff/volunteers were all very welcoming and knowledgeable. The day ran like clockwork thanks to the superb organisation. The breakfast pastries were a brilliant idea and were enjoyed by all. Returning on the A12 in a non air conditioned car was not very enjoyable - but the visit certainly was. Everyone enjoyed the day.

Please pass on our very grateful thanks to all - especially the ladies in the cafe.

 Many thanks again.

Peter & Susan  - East Anglian Practical Classics - June 2026

 

Dear Cara.

Just a short message to thank you and the team for the splendid group visit today. The guided tour by Jim Smyth was full of anecdotes, facts, information and interesting stuff which demonstrated his knowledge and passion for the site. Thanks also for your warm and friendly welcome, to Ian, Suzzane and all other staff members who contributed. The catering team also warrants a mention as we all left with a comfortable feeling! 

 

Once again thanks and please pass on our good wishes to those concerned.

John Rogers - ECFRS Retired Members Association - May 2026

 

Hi Ian

Thanks to all the team for looking after us on Saturday.

We all had an excellent visit – the exhibition[s] is [are] really interesting and appropriately pitched, the site and hangars are well worth seeing and we also had a good visit to eat in the mess room.

Thanks again

Kirsten - July 2025

 

Hi Suzanne

I would like to thank you and your colleagues on behalf of our Church Group for your warm welcome, excellent history lesson and a great afternoon at Stow Maries. We highly reccomend this place as a great alternative to war museums.

Kind regards

Della - Romanian Orthodox Church of St Paul (East Ham), October 2025

 

Good morning, 

on behalf of Bart and myself we want to thank you for the guided tour we received. It was a really interesting experience to be able to be present on such historic significant grounds.  All the best to keep expanding the museum. We will keep in touch and send a copy of the article we will write about our trip to the UK.

Best regards
Harald  - Flanders Aviation Society - June 2025

 

Dear Cara,

 I would like to thank you so much for our very enjoyable visit to the aerodrome. We were thankful for the phone call warning us of the road works, so that we then found alternative routes to you.

The cream tea was so nicely presented and delicious. I for one ate too much cake! Both Dutch and English found the tours really interesting. So please thank your guides for their detailed knowledge.  Altogether it was a very successful afternoon.

Thank you again

Jill - Chair of Maldon Twinning Association - June 2025

 

Hi all,

Just to say a huge THANK you for such a lovely day today. I believe everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves! 

Wishing you all the very best for the future of Stow Maries [Great War] aerodrome.

See you again soon I am sure.

With kind regards,

Debbie - Ingatestone and Feering Archaeological Society, May 2025 

 

Hello Suzanne,

 Just a short note to say thank you for a very interesting and insightful visit on Thursday.  Our members were very appreciative of the enthusiasm of your volunteers and their knowledge of the site.  The lunch was delicious too, many thanks to your chef Rosie.  In all a trip that was thoroughly enjoyable and we look forward to future visits and will pass on details of your upcoming events to the rest of our members.

Kind regards

Dianne - Dengie U3A Group, May 2025

Dementia-Friendly Site

Stow Maries is working to become a dementia friendly site. As part of our work, we have produced a map that may be helpful to some people while visiting us.  Click here to open and print the map - it will open in a new browser tab or window.