THE BATTLE of BRITAIN

VISITOR INFORMATION

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Location

Battle of Britain Memorial, New Dover Rd, Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone, CT18 7JJ (click here for Map)

 

Opening times

The Memorial site itself is open 365 days a year to those on foot (access is via the side gate) but the car park, shop, cafe and Scramble Experience are open as per the times shown below.

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1 March to end September, open every day between 10am and 5pm
(last entry to the Experience/cafe purchase 4.30pm)

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1 October to 18 November, open Monday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm
(last entry to the Experience/cafe purchase 3.30pm)

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18 November to end of February, open Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm (Closed Mondays)
(last entry to the Experience/cafe purchase 3.30pm)

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Parking

The Battle of Britain Memorial has ample and easy on-site parking, with disabled spaces, too. A cash pay-on-entry parking system is in operation, with an option to pay for parking by card inside The Wing. Car parking charges apply all year round and start at £2 for two hours. These small parking charges help the Trust meet the £240,000 annual running costs of the site and The Wing.

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Please note: pre-booked coaches bringing visitors to The Scramble Experience benefit from free parking. Coaches that are not pre-booked need to pay for parking.

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Children

We have a worksheet for young children and we welcome visitors of all ages. While the Memorial is a place of reflection, we are happy for children to run around in the fresh air and enjoy the views and we know that they will love the replica Spitfire and Hurricane. We only ask that you take a few minutes to explain to them the significance of the Memorial and what it stands for. Our guide for young people features our own cartoon airman and is available in the shop. Please keep your children in sight at all times and remember we are on a clifftop.

 

Toilets

The ladies’, gents’ and disabled toilets are located inside the The Wing. Baby changing facilities are also available.

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Cafe

The Cockpit Cafe is located on the first floor of the The Wing, with a lift available. The cafe sells hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, paninis, snacks, ice creams, cake, confectionery, cream teas, beer and wine and a limited amount of hot food. Sample menus here.

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Shop

The shop stocks a wide range of souvenirs and Battle of Britain-themed gifts, including many unique collectors’ items signed by the Few. It also offers 'pocket money' items for youngsters as well as books, prints, logo'd clothing and model kits. 

 

Accessibility

The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust is delighted to welcome all visitors to this site of reflection and contemplation and has taken great care to ensure the site is fully accessible. Please click here to read our Access Statement in full.

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The site is wheelchair friendly, although there are a number of slopes, and able-bodied helpers may be needed for manual wheelchairs. The site is on a clifftop and parents are warned to keep a close eye on their children.  Dogs are allowed on site, but must be kept on a lead at all times.  Only assistance dogs are welcome in The Wing. See our review on Euan’s Guide here.

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Audio tour guides

Discover the rich history of the Battle of Britain with our new free self-guided audio tours.

Immerse yourself in the stories of Churchill’s famous ‘Few’, who bravely fought in the skies during the summer and early autumn of 1940. This interactive audio tour, lasting around an hour, will guide you through the Memorial grounds, bringing the sights you see to life with captivating stories. If you're short on time, we also offer 15-minute and 35-minute audio tours.

Audio tours are available in English, German, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish or Slovakian.

Feel free to bring your own headphones, or you can purchase some at the Memorial. If you don’t have headphones, please keep your device close to your ear, like you would during a call, and lower the volume to respect others around you.

For more details on how to start an audio tour, visit reception or check out our instructions in advance via this link.

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Protecting our environment

The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust recognises that it has a responsibility to protect the environment that goes beyond legal and regulatory requirements. It is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and takes all practical steps to minimise waste, conserve the earth’s resources and lower its carbon footprint.

 

In particular, it benefits from solar PV panels on the roof of The Wing, installed during construction, and it uses a ground source heat pump to provide heating and hot water in the refurbished Hunting Lodge library and business centre. The Trust’s environmental policy is available on request.

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Drone Policy

The Battle of Britain Memorial is a place for remembrance.  In addition, the Trustees have a duty to protect visitors to the site. With that in mind, a policy has been introduced which prohibits the use of small unmanned flying aircraft (drones) unless permission has been sought, and granted, in advance. Applications should be made to the site manager, but bear in mind the need to allow sufficient time for any application to be considered. The full policy can be read by following this link