Schools visits to the National Museum of Flight

There is so much to see and do your class can plan to spend a full day visiting the National Museum of Flight:

• The museum site is the UK’s best preserved Second World War airfield built on a First World War aerodrome.
• Get on board Concorde, the only successful supersonic airliner.
• Visit the Military Aviation Hangar to see aircraft from the Second World War, through the Cold War to the present day.
• The Civil Aviation Hangar explores different uses of civilian aircraft, from flying for fun and exploring the world to connecting distant communities.
• In Fantastic Flight explore three hands-on galleries and find out how aeroplanes fly, how they are built and the skills needed to be a pilot. 
• Fortunes of War recounts the vivid human story of this historic military airfield. 

Teachers can arrange to undertake a pre-visit to help plan ahead.

To ensure your visit runs smoothly, all school visits to the National Museum of Flight must be booked in advance.

To book please email schoolsnmof@nms.ac.uk

Pre-booked self-guided school visits (April-October) and downloadable resources are free of charge.

All workshops have a cost of £75 per class (maximum 33). 

Your school will be invoiced after your visit.

Yes. The museum is open 7 days a week April-October and during this time we offer both free self-guided visits and staff-led workshops (£75 per class). November to March we are open on certain days for schools taking part in workshops.

Find out more about the workshops available

Please arrive at the time stated on your booking.

A range of safety measures have been put in place in line with Scottish Government guidelines. This includes face coverings, enhanced cleaning, sneeze screens and hand sanitising stations throughout the museum. Please read our guidance before visiting with your group.

We ask that you:

• Keep your distance from others.
• Use the hand sanitiser provided and wash your hands often.
• Wear face coverings in our indoor spaces (visitors aged 12 and over), unless exempt.

If a member of your group begins to display COVID-19 symptoms whilst in the museum, please alert the nearest member of staff immediately.

There is ample bus and coach parking on the museum site.

We have cloakroom space, but you should expect to carry your coats and bags for some of your visit.

You are able to book a space to eat your packed lunches in advance. 

The Education Centre and hangars are fully accessible, with the Military Aviation Hangar viewing platform accessible via a lift.

There are accessible toilets in the Education Centre and Fantastic Flight.

Boarding Concorde is only possible by 22 steps and is too narrow for wheelchairs inside.

You can also read our full accessibility information.

We are happy for you to take photographs, including flash photography, in the general museum. If you wish to take a photo of a member of museum staff, please ask their permission before doing so. 

In addition, we may also wish to take photographs of you and your group. We will always discuss this with you in advance and will supply a photography permission form for you and your class to be completed prior to visiting.

There is a Museum Shop next to the Concorde Hangar open April-October and at other times by prior arrangement (please ensure there is a ratio of 1 adult to 10 children when in shop). 

There is a café next to the Concorde Hangar open April-October. Take-away tea/coffee/liquids are not permitted in the museum buildings.  

Ensure everyone attending, including adults, are aware of our guidelines including wearing a face mask. 

Please be aware that all our bookings will comply with Scottish Government guidelines and NHS Scotland Test and Protect.

You can download our guidelines for teachers to help you write your own risk assessment. Teachers can make a free pre-visit to carry out their own risk assessment. 

We ask that pupils visiting in school groups are accompanied at all times during their visit at a ratio of:

1 adult: 5 pupils (under the age of 5)

1 adult: 10 pupils (primary school pupils)

1 adult: 15 pupils (secondary school pupils)

Where pupils require support on a 1:1 ratio, this adult should be included over and above these ratios.

We ask that pupils visiting in school groups are accompanied at all times during their visit at a ratio of:

1 adult: 5 pupils (under the age of 5)

1 adult: 10 pupils (primary school pupils)

1 adult: 15 pupils (secondary school pupils)

Where pupils require support on a 1:1 ratio, this adult should be included over and above these ratios.

We will send you full safety guidelines with your booking confirmation. Please check them before your visit.

In addition, please read and follow any safety notices and instructions from Visitor Experience staff.

For facilitated (charged) sessions: 

• Scottish State schools (where appropriate) should raise a Purchase Order through their Local Authority procurement system for the maximum cost of charged sessions. 
• Purchase Order numbers should be notified to schoolsnmof@nms.ac.uk at least seven days in advance of the visit. 
• For sessions charged per pupil, schools will be charged for the number of pupils booked, unless 10 days advance notice of change in numbers is notified to schoolsnmof@nms.ac.uk.

• National Museums Scotland reserve the right to charge a fee for short notice cancellations or no-shows. 
• Bookings cancelled less than three weeks prior to the visit may incur an administration fee of 50% of the value of chargeable events. 
• Bookings cancelled less than two weeks prior to the visit may incur an administration fee of 100% of the value of chargeable events. 
• No-show or last-minute cancellations of free workshops or staff-led sessions may incur a £50.00 administration fee. 
• In certain circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions, National Museums Scotland may waive the administration fee. 
• Cancellations should be notified in writing to schoolsnmof@nms.ac.uk.